Zero Fret Grooves

[GreatBigGiantBrain]

I'm a new ZT-3 owner. Loving it.

 

On the Zeroth fret, there are some grooves that the strings sit in. When you bend a string (especially the higher ones), the string makes a strange pop slipping out of the groove (not audible, but felt in my hand) that is not pleasant. It is like this on most of the non-wound strings. It's like there is a burr on the fret that is catching on the string. I keep waiting for one of the strings to break because of it.

 

I was wondering if this is normal for a ZT-3? Is the zeroth fret supposed to have grooves the strings sit in?

 

If not, I may try and file them down some when I change strings next.

 

Thanks,

Brian

[r2bflash]

Yes, this can happen with zero fret guitars. I would not get too aggressive if you polish it out but you can get rid of the edge the string is catching on or just leave it alone. Your choice. It will not hurt anything.

[GreatBigGiantBrain]

Thanks. I've got some new PAF Joe and Mo' Joe pups coming next week. I'll change the strings then too and see about buffing out the burrs.

 

Thanks again,

Brian

[GreatBigGiantBrain]

I changed my pickups to PAF-JOE and MO-JOE. Big Big difference. Might have wanted a more punchier neck pickup, but overall very satisfied with them. Great purchase (and got a great deal on them, so double win).

 

When I had all the strings off, I inspected the zero fret for grooves and found none. I think that maybe it is the plastic string guide (the fingers that come over the zero fret) that are catching when I bend strings. We had our first live set after the pickup change and I did not notice the fret catching at all. Maybe it will ease up with time.

 

Later,

Brian