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Now, now. Let's be nice.

Honestly, if you're going to pull the frets, working the fretboard a bit would be way easier and cheaper than compression fretting.

Depends how much bow you're talking about tho...

Pat

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Pat

I agree Hesh,
Advising someone to pull a fretboard when all it needs is a compression refret - is - bad advice, and is not what I suggested as a first course of action. I also didn't suggest my way is the only way. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Sometimes compression fretting doesn't give you enough. If the neck is badly bowed to a point where compression fretting won't solve the problem then removing the fretboard and installing an adjustable truss rod may be the best way to go. Keeping the adjustment at the soundhole end keeps an outward appearance of originality.
But certainly try the less invasive methods first - compression fretting.

Edit:
A combination of selectively sanding the board (as Pat mentioned) and compression fretting might also work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfMUSIq0f-g&t=2445s
compression fretting is more an art so here is a vid link to give a basic look at the process.
there is an art to it. I don't a lot of them over 20 years

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

It's not a question of being nice it's a question of providing someone who genuinely is looking for assistance that they very well may act on once received with poor advice.

When this happens someone else, me or anyone may come along and point out that the prior advice, to pull a fret board sucks. That's what I did and that's what I'll do again if it happens again.

Some of you guys who sling poor advice and have been here seemingly forever need to consider that some day your short sidedness and/or ignorance is going to result in someone or someone's instruments being harmed. You may be OK with this but I'm not nor will I ever be.

If you're asking me to stifle myself and let hack advice that's harmful to all who may act on it ride you're going to be pretty disappointed with my response because I won't let it ride if I see it.

Sorry, Hesh, but it is a matter of playing nice. No one has advised the OP that pulling the fretboard is the preferred course of action here. Clay S. did write, "If compression fretting doesn't work you could pull the fretboard and add a truss rod that adjusts at the soundhole."

That's a perfectly reasonable comment, which he later clarified further by politely adding, "I agree, Hesh, advising someone to pull a fretboard when all it needs is a compression refret - is - bad advice..."

Your subsequent description of this as "hack advice that's harmful to all who may act on it," was unwarranted—at least in my opinion.

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George :-)

Hi Hesh,
If compression fretting doesn't solve the problem (and sometimes it - doesn't - solve the problem) then what would be your next course of action? I'm always willing to learn something new.

Sorry George but it's not a perfectly reasonable comment it's hack advice and grossly irresponsible.

You don't pull fret boards or even consider pulling fret boards when an instrument was specifically engineered for eventual compression refretting.

I'll add that the OP also said that he has built but not repaired and what was suggested is a big deal repair that only experienced people should attempt. You do know too that pulling a fret board is refinish time too????? What was suggested here in the commercial world would more than double the scope and price of all this instrument likely needs. It's lousy advice, period.

There also remains the question of the neck angle because AGAIN how the excess relief is addressed should be considered in conjunction with the condition of the neck angle on an instrument of this vintage.

If you don't like that I'm offended by someone being irresponsible and slinging crap advice don't read my stuff, George.

Lastly this guitar also has a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship AND it's a quality, nice guitar. I don't recall anyone bringing this up or suggesting to the OP that if they are the original steward they may have a warranty claim. Additionally over reacting and doing repairs oneself can void their warranty too.

BTW I said what I wanted to say and don't need to say anything else about this. But if I'm addressed again I'll sure as shooting be back with all my thick skin and charming demeanor.

It sure as hell would not be to suggest anything beyond what I already suggested without having had the opportunity to have eyes on or someone who can be my eyes take some measurements of things I want to see AND maybe some pics too. Better yet take it to a pro (not us we don't accept shipped in work) and get some quality advice.

There is no likely reason (that we know of from here) for this instrument to need any more than the frets removed, carefully, the board leveled and shaped for specific relief and it compression refretted.

Even considering removing a fret board at this stage AND...... converting it to an adjustable truss rod is a huge leap. Why would you even consider ripping out the steel rod and going to all the trouble to mill a proper truss rod channel, install an adjustable truss rod, reinstall a fret board, likely have to refinish the neck when it's highly likely that the thing simply need a refret (compression). That's a rhetorical question.

So back to your non-question question - at this point I would want to see more and know more before offering anything beyond what I have offered which, by the way, would very likely fix it AND not damage it in the process, void a warranty or cost much more than what I suggested if done commercially.

Also: PM sent

I am one of the lawyers in my firm that provides ethical advice to the other lawyers. I sometimes (including yesterday, in fact) have a lawyer come to me with a proposed course of action that is just incredibly wrong. When that happens, I have two choices on how I express my views (going into character):

1. I understand why you might want to do that, but in my view, that would be a mistake. Let me explain why I think it would be a mistake. (Then I would show them the rules that apply, any court or state bar opinions, the probable consequences, etc.).

2. Oh my God, are you really that unethical, or are you just a moron? That would be malpractice and could get you disbarred. We would get sued, and it would be all your fault. I can’t wait to tell the other partners in our firm how stupid you are.

Which one do you think works better, in terms of preventing the immediate harm, helping this lawyer make better decisions in the future, and preserving the system whereby this lawyer is comfortable coming to me for advice?

This is the Land of the Free; we are all free to make our own choices about how we communicate with others. Telling someone we think they are making mistakes is not easy; we can err by being either too soft or too hard. It often feels great (for about 5 minutes) to rip someone a new one. When those 5 minutes are up, though, it feels less satisfying, and more like an unproductive emotional outburst, one that leads to regret. I have been learning that the hard way for a few decades now.

Just some thoughts that may, or may not, have value.

Hey Don:

What do sperm and attorneys have in common?

It takes about a million of them to make a person!

I sincerely hope you know that I am kidding you AND that I very much appreciate your sage..... conveyance. Well said and point is well taken. I'm still learning too, obviously.

There is history with Clay and I and that's all I'll say here. See I am learning.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

As I've noted many times before, I appreciate the insights and expertise you bring to the group, Hesh.

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George :-)

Gosh, imagine how many cranky old farts it would take! And even then, that one person would still yell at me to get off his lawn.

Merry Christmas to you, too, Hesh. As George does, I appreciate the substantive guidance you provide here on the OLF.

I have been doing this 20 yrs and I have never had a compression refret not adjust. I also have fret tangs to .027
In all fairness I am talking Martin.
If the guitar was not refretted in the past it can work but be sure you take to someone that is familiar with the process.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Apology accepted.....

Thanks Don AND George for your kind comments. Leading be example, eh? I got it and you're right. I'll try to do better.

Just been kind of an excitable sort lately.....

Don after I posted my little joke I worried that I was offending you who by the way I've always appreciated you too, thank you for your contributions as well. Thanks for being a good sport on the off color joke.

Hesh, if I got upset at every lawyer joke, I would stay the Hulk forever. No worries. I could share some awesome ones with you, but let’s not clutter the OLF with them. Not in this thread, anyway. Enjoy the season!

Shades of a colorful era in OLF history. Let’s not bring Rick back. Civility works best, both in the moment and as a legacy.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

And now back to our regular programming...... Mr Williams, it sounds like another trip down to see John again or get a selection of various tang sizes.

Yes, the horse has been sufficiently flogged.
Next!
"Bring out yer dead!".
Monte Python.
Alan

“... he's not dead, he's, he's restin'!”


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Merely pining for the fjords!

Merry Christmas

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/for ... p?t=433699

Post #9 is another way to "skin the cat".