I know it's not much of a mandolin, but I have this Japanese Vega (standard vintage plywood construction, no truss rod), and on the G string two frets are buzzing (10th and 11th frets). I have moved up the bridge, but the buzzing remains on these frets. I figure that two fret wires are standing higher than they should.
So, knowing that I will not pay for a real luthier to do the work, I am willing to try my best. Should I use a flat file and take it real easy? Should I use some emory cloth with a wood backing? Should I build a fire - ha?
Thats step one,leveling, but you will feel the sharp corners, next you need to round off the sharp edges needle files etc. StewMac has made for fretting tools .
see links on homepage.
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
Chicago - most lately but - home is in Northern Arkansas.
Posts
606
Before you take a file to the fretboard, take a look at Frets .com and this set of pages on fret problem analysis. Frank Ford has a few pages besides this where a lot of information is given. Also - if you have to surface the frets, use the flat hard wood block with some paper in the 320 to 600 grit area. It doesn't take a lot to get a board back to shape - or make it worse.
I usually take three or four brushes with the block; measure, examine with a magnifying glass, then adjust the paper and push some more metal off. Just take off enough to make it playable. You will need a good metal straight edge and some masking tape to make it easier to visualize.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks