fretgirl Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Hi everybody This is my first post. I'm having a problem with my gibson guitar, the sheryl crow model, and the people at the music store where I bought it weren't much help and somebody suggested the gibson website forum so here I am. I've only been playing for about 5 years now and finally people are telling me I am pretty good so I was talked into playing open mike night where I live but I was too embarrassed to take the guitar I learned on so I bouoght the one I always wanted. I've only had it for 7 months now and last week I started having this problem. The little e string is dead at the third and twelfth fret. It doesn't sound at all its just real tinny and flat. What could be the cause of this and how can I fix it? I have restrung it several times and no help. Thanks, Nance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hi Fretgirl. Welcome. I'm no technician but this sounds like it could be a high fret at those positions. You'll need to take it to someone who knows what they are doing to level/ tap them to the required height. Some shops are good, most are average. I always have any new guitar looked at by my teacher who is a skilled luthier. It's worth the extra bit of money and will easily deal with all the little rattles and other minor niggles we all get hung up on. I'm sure some of our fellow members who are a little more local to you, than me, will be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck with the open mike session and the adjustments. We require pictures of your guitar to satisfy our endless appetite for guitar porn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnt Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hi everybody This is my first post. I'm having a problem with my gibson guitar' date=' the sheryl crow model, and the people at the music store where I bought it weren't much help and somebody suggested the gibson website forum so here I am. I've only been playing for about 5 years now and finally people are telling me I am pretty good so I was talked into playing open mike night where I live but I was too embarrassed to take the guitar I learned on so I bouoght the one I always wanted. I've only had it for 7 months now and last week I started having this problem. The little e string is dead at the third and twelfth fret. It doesn't sound at all its just real tinny and flat. What could be the cause of this and how can I fix it? I have restrung it several times and no help. Thanks, Nance[/quote'] Nance there are a few guys from Fl here When they wake up I am certain one will recomend a good teccy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Albertjohn hit it on the head. It's likely the 4th and 13th fret that are a tish high and the string can't ring out when fretted at the 3rd and 12th. It sounds to me like a simple fret dressing... and if you're not having any problems with any other strings the dressing can be done just on the extreme treble side of the fingerboard; my rule is to take the least intrusive method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Albertjohn hit it on the head. I don't mean to hijack the thread but this is a momentus day for me. I've never actually posted any technical advice before. And to have it ratified by KSD is praise indeed. (KSD - No I'm not taking the p##s.) It's unlikely to occur again so I'm going to print this one! Nance, I hope you solve the problem. Please let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnt Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I don't mean to hijack the thread but this is a momentus day for me. I've never actually posted any technical advice before. And to have it ratified by KSD is praise indeed. (KSD - No I'm not taking the p##s.) It's unlikely to occur again so I'm going to print this one! Nance' date=' I hope you solve the problem. Please let us know.[/quote'] Can feel your little chest pumping out with pride from here AJ! You did the right thing though in issuing the disclaimer first Quote"I'm no technician but this sounds like it could be a high fret at those positions. You'll need to take it to someone who knows what they are doing to level/ tap them to the required height." I hear via one of the secretaries at the Piss Poor Picking Academy og Advanced Guitar Techniques that one Glorious esteban, he of Miami Sound Machine fame, seeks skilled luthiers and set up aces to back up the launch of his exciting new Barack Obama autograph signature, vintage,TV,re-issue,13 string guitar to the United Kingdom. With skills like that at your fingertips you could even be a Team Leader ( Oh and yes I AM taking the P*$$) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I don't mean to hijack the thread but this is a momentus day for me. I've never actually posted any technical advice before. And to have it ratified by KSD is praise indeed. (KSD - No I'm not taking the p##s.) It's unlikely to occur again so I'm going to print this one! Nance' date=' I hope you solve the problem. Please let us know.[/quote'] lol! i was thinking "my god, aj NEVER talks like that! seroiusly though, would this problem be considered a warranty issue? should she contact the retailer/bozeman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Thankyou both JT and Cunk. It's so nice to have friends with which to share one's successes. Please would you inform the Piss Poor Picking Academy of Advanced Guitar Techniques for me, that I'm rather busy this afternoon so I won't be able to discuss terms until after the weekend. This thread has inspired me to fret dress my Gibsons and the Strat. Tell them to leave a message. I'll be in my shed trying to find the claw hammer and the orbital sander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnt Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Thankyou both JT and Cunk. It's so nice to have friends with which to share one's successes. Please would you inform the Piss Poor Picking Academy of Advanced Guitar Techniques for me' date=' that I'm rather busy this afternoon so I won't be able to discuss terms until after the weekend. This thread has inspired me to fret dress my Gibsons and the Strat. Tell them to leave a message. I'll be in my shed trying to find the claw hammer and the orbital sander.[/quote'] Well done cunk! Looks like he's returned to type! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Well done cunk! Looks like he's returned to type! forum equivalent of the victory lap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretgirl Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 I guess I will take it to a shop then. How do frets get like that?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretgirl Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Who else is from Florida on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Who else is from Florida on here? i'm in the tampa bay area and i see you are too. i've got a great guy who does all my work. i'd be happy to share his info with you. rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretgirl Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 That would be great rob! I live in Dunedin which is in Pinellas county right on US 19. I bought my guitar at Sam Ash but nobody there was much help when I called them. Where is your guitar guy?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 That would be great rob! I live in Dunedin which is in Pinellas county right on US 19. I bought my guitar at Sam Ash but nobody there was much help when I called them. Where is your guitar guy?? he's in st.pete. i'll PM you his info later today when i get to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 How do frets get like that?? Unfinished wood is going to expand and contract all the time. Some pieces of wood do more than others, depending on the species, cut (grain runout, if any), living conditions.... all kinds of variables. It's possible there was a little bit of runout in the 3/4 fret area and it swelled a little (end grain is much more prone to this and all it takes is a few pores). Also possible at the 12/13 fret but more likely due to the overall swelling of the neck joint area because of the glue. I wouldn't give it any worry, it's all part of a new guitar settling in and once the frets are dressed it may never happen again in life (my crystal ball doesn't work so hot though, so that's my disclaimer). Some guitars (rare) are problems all their lives. I have a 1971 Les Paul that gave me grief every spring. The truss rod would go all out of whack, it wouldn't stay in tune..... I was tormented, as I am wont to do in such a situation. I got it in 1997 so I couldn't blame it on being new. About the third year I simply rubbed in a couple light coats of linseed oil and it solved the problem. I don't recommend using linseed oil on a fingerboard as it's kinda overkill, but something was needed in this case to make the fingerboard slightly less hygroscopic. ** afterthought edit - A couple frets could just need to be reseated. It could be just as simple as that. When I flip a light switch and the light doesn't come on, I really should see if the bulb is bad before I go ripping wire out of the walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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