Possible fretwork needed?

[Dale Pohly]

Hello all, for about 6 months I've owned a 1987 Peavey Patriot and I'm having trouble getting the action where I'd like it to be. I took it to a guitar workshop to have it professionally done and I know he adjusted the trussrod and lowered the bridge saddles. However, the strings are still higher than I like them to be and worst of all, there is significant fret buzz beginning around 12 fret. My first inclination is that some of the frets need to be reseated or filed down. Is this correct? If so, is it something I should try on my own?

I don't have a ton of experience working on my own instruments but I feel like this is a good opportunity to learn and become more self reliant when it comes to bass maintenance. I just don't want to mess it up. While this is an inexpensive bass, I've grown to really like it for it's light weight and feel of the neck. It has clearly been played A LOT and very much has that "roadworn" look and feel. Plus I routed the body to put in a Fender P pickup in it. So I'm not against taking it to a professional to save some headache or the bass itself. If someone can recommend a place in South Florida, I'll definitely check them out.

This bass has the potential to be my go-to if I can get the action where I want it. Any tips?

 

[JRA]

is it something I should try on my own?

i would advise taking it to a trusted tech/luthier to have the situation assessed and then watching (or otherwise being 'educated') so that you might be able to make those adjustments in the future. you need some tools (some are specific) to address some fret issues correctly + good eye + good feel for the task.

good luck!

 

[James Collins]

If you decide to do this on your own, you would need the following for basic setup:

1) small metal ruler to measure action
2) automotive feeler gauges to measure neck relief
3) a truss rod tool to adjust the neck relief
4) nut slot files if your nuts needs lowered
5) Allen keys to adjust the bridge

If you feel that the frets are unleveled, you need more tools:
1) a notched straight edge to flatten the neck to
2) clamps, cauls, super glue, brass hammer to reseat a loose fret
3) sandpaper, sharpie, and a leveling beam to level frets
4) a fret rocker to check for high spots
5) crowning and end dressing files and fret erasers or something to polish the frets with
6) tape

Unless you plan to do these things more often than once, it can end up costing too much in comparison to a fret level and dress by a professional. I don't mean to discourage you. I think you should go ahead and watch some YouTube videos and go for it. It sounds like your bass is pretty unplayable as is. It would be worth getting it up to measure.

 

[Turnaround]

It's impossible to say what the problem is until we have some measurements. What is the string height at the 12th fret now? How much relief is there at the 7th fret when you fret at the first fret and the 17th? And how much relief is there when fretting at the first and last fret measured at the 7th fret? Post those measurements and we will have a better understanding of the geometry of your instrument. Then we might be able to tell if it needs fretwork or just a different setup.

 

[fig]

To relatively quickly fix the problem, can you take it back to the same guitar workshop and have that person fix this issue? It's no jab at them if you say, "Hey, thanks for adjusting and fixing my first issue, but it's revealed a second problem. Can you fix this also?".

My impression from your original post is the workshop person has moved on or you may not trust him again, since you're asking for someone else in your area, but I may be wrong.

strings are still higher than I like them to be and worst of all, there is significant fret buzz beginning around 12 fret.

Does the fret buzz stay only around the 12th fret area and stop buzzing again as you move up the neck? If so, you'll need some fret work done.

Or does it start at the 12th fret and continue higher up to the end of the neck, as your statement implies? If so, you'll probably only need some basic tweaking and you'll be loving your bass again in no time.