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Hi guys,
Today I ran into a really strange phenomena. A customer showed up with his Fodera bass. The first 9 frets are like scalloped, but has peaks under each string. It looks like the crown of each fret is sanded down between the strings. Hope the pic helps to understand. I have never seen anything like this. The guy purchased the bass brand new 6-7 years ago, so he is the original owner. His setup is pretty low, but not extremely low, and he is not playing heavy or super-dynamical...
All I can think of is that the string's vibration made theese worn-out spots, but the firs fret looks the same, where the strings dont have such amplitude since the nut is close...
Any thoughts?

That's from finger nails - we see it frequently. Pretty weird eh....

Check out the nails on the steward/owner the next time you see them.

almost looks like he has been fretting it right on top of the fret and the movement has had a sanding effect ... lol weird

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THAT is truly bizarre.

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The first time that I saw this I could not for the life of me figure it out. Then my business partner told me that it's finger nails. When the guy picked up the instrument (refret.... ) he had very long finger nails. Now I've noticed it likely several times and I am always keen to check out the client's nails when they pick-up.

Hey since it's scalloped there must be a tonal advantage.....

I see that phenom sometimes - more often on very old instruments, and presume it's not the nail, but corrosive action of perspiration, because I don't often see it along with the kind of divots in the fingerboard that are obviously caused by nails. Same thing in the photo above - no fingerboard damage.

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Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

Guys, many thanks for your answers! Fortunately the bass works fine, no buzzing, but a refret is in the corner...
Frank, it is such a honor to have your opinion about this! As I was getting into lutherie I came across your website, and the Acoustic guitar book you co-wrote. Let me tell you theese are the bible for me. So valuable infos! Anyway, thanks again, and greetings from the other side of the globe! Zoltan

I love it when I can get up in the morning and learn something new. Thanks guys.

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The other school of thought would argue that tapered may well be the way to go.

Alex

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