Replacing a zero fret on a graphite Steinberger neck

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bradd

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Jan 27, 2008
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#1
One of my friends has a fretless 4 string Steinberger neck that he would like to change over to a skinny 5er. The previous owner filed grooves in the zero fret to try and lower the action. What's the best way to replace this? I would imagine that pulling it straight out would damage the board, so would it be best to remove it be sliding it out sideways? Any insight would be helpful.
 
#4
That sucks, cause ordinarily that zero fret would virtually never need to be replaced. I'd definitely use a professional familiar with Steinberger restoration. The phenolic fingerboard requires the right materials and techniques for any refret work. If you try pulling it yourself and damage the board, it will be more expensive than letting a pro do it right the first time. Good luck. What year/model BTW?
 
#5
I don't know what the previous owner was thinking. The E string is floating in air, so the intonation point is off.

I do know my way around fret work, but I don't have any experience with graphite.

It is a Gibson era. I do not know the model.
 
#6
Recrown the fret.

If the height of the fret is not a problem now, recrowning will improve intonation and allow for multi-stringing.
 
#7
bradd said:
I don't know what the previous owner was thinking. The E string is floating in air, so the intonation point is off.

I do know my way around fret work, but I don't have any experience with graphite.

It is a Gibson era. I do not know the model.
Click to expand...

Are you saying the zero fret is cut so severely that the strings passes over the nut (string guide) and does not make optimal contact?

Edit: may want to contact Jerry Dorsch @ Graphite Guitar Systems for the procedure:
Graphite Guitar Systems
13043 195th Avenue Sw
Oakville, WA 98568 - View Map
Phone: (360) 273-7744


Riis
 
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#8
When slots are filed in the zero fret it moves the contact point (Top Dead Center, point of tangentcy, etc.) toward the bridge. Naturally the intonation is off.

Recrowning the fret should take care of the problem if there is enough (zero) fret height. Since the OP does not speak to buzzing on the neck in the low positions, it can be assumed that this is not a problem.

On the flip side, since it's fretless who's to say the intonation is off? Oh, wait! It's the little white dots!
 
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#11
The witness point for the E string is at the point it leaves the string clamp. If there were enough material I would recrown, but there's nothing to do but replace it.
 
#12
bradd said:
The witness point for the E string is at the point it leaves the string clamp. If there were enough material I would recrown, but there's nothing to do but replace it.
Click to expand...

Understood.

Pull the fret as normal. Heat the fret with a soldering iron before giving it the heave ho. Keep the chips and glue them back in with CA glue. Always easier to find the chips if you set the guitar on the bench over some butcher paper before starting. Done correctly, no one will know the work was performed.

Stewmac has a newish tool that might help. It's called chip stopper. I've never used it so this is not an endorsement. Certainly inexpensive enough to try.
 
#13
Thanks all for the comments! He will bring me the neck in the next couple of days and I'll change out the zero fret.

The chip stopper seems like a good idea, and I have something in the shop that should work to the same effect. I will try to remember to take some pictures to share.
 
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