Fret problem? Or maybe not..... I dunno.....

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Sun Feb 03, 2002 9:43 am

I have a problem with one of my Ricks, just wanted to know if anyone has any insight on how to either prevent it or remedy it. I just purchased a 355JL from a dealer who swears the guitar had never been sold. It was just put away in their "attic" along with a 325JL. I just got the guitar, and the body is dead mint. But it looks like the frets are popping out from the sides of the neck. It looks like they're busting out thru the finish as well. Is this because the guitar was kept in it's case for like 10 years? Or is it just bad air? If anyone has info, I would appreciate some help.. Thanks!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Feb 03, 2002 10:16 am

Gerald: This instrument has suffered from a lack of moisture in my view. I'll let the luthiers correct me should I be too far off bass. I would have a luthier do a good fret dressing and if the corrections are made during the "dry" season then you should, given proper storage, not see this problem again. In the meantime, watch it, you can get some nasty abrasions on your left hand from sliding up and down the fretboard with a guitar in this condition.

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Sun Feb 03, 2002 12:01 pm

Thanks Peter for the info...

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 1:02 am

I was thinking about this last nite. How do you get moisture in the air if you live in an apartment in New England? Should I keep my guitars in their cases or have them out in stands?

wilbur · Post by **wilbur** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 9:50 am

I would buy a room humidifier and put it in the room where you keep your guitars. You should be able to get something for about $50 that will do the trick. Money well spent!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Feb 04, 2002 2:09 pm

Gerald: Jim's idea is a good one. I keep mine in the cases when they are not in use. I add a small clay pot humidifier, which needs to be soaked once a month, to each case during the dry season. This technique works for me in the dry cold of the north.

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Wed Feb 06, 2002 1:46 pm

By chance did the guitar come Rock Block Guitars? I bought a 4001CS from them on the basis it was never sold and had a multitude of problems

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Feb 06, 2002 8:17 pm

During the winter in Snowy climates , you turn on the furnace and dry out the air .. this sucks the moisture out the the 'dwelling' and the wood shrinks , the metal stays and you have a case of -

SHREADING HAND SYNDROME !!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Not to worry , humidifier is the trick .

It may not bring it back to 100% however as the finish will not be as flexible as the wood ...it may crack .

So , wet the air once again , and then let us know .
DON'T go filing the fret ends just yet.

This is very common , not to worry ...this sort of thing is going around in the northen hemishere at the moment ....get back to me after you try water .

Even , in a stand in the doorway of your shower/bath area after you remove the grime of the day , will help ...just don't bathe it .