So I've had my brand new G&L ASAT Classic, made in Indonesia, for about three weeks now. It played great right out of the box. I could feel a few fret ends, but nothing major. It has a very minimal satin finish on the neck and it's super smooth, I really like it, but it literally almost feels like an unfinished neck. This guitar has been living on a wall hanger in my music room for the past three weeks because I've been playing it a lot. A couple of nights ago I was playing and I felt a VERY sharp fret high up on the neck, literally an "ouch!" situation. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that my fingers were all sliced up! All of my fingers had multiple long shallow cuts across them between the knuckle and first joint, almost razor blade like. I'm surprised I didn't feel it more when it was happening, I've never experienced anything like it in 25 years of playing. I inspected the frets and I believe they've sprouted badly over the course of the three weeks it's been on the wall. Our humidity has been very low and I've had windows open so it tends to get pretty low inside during the afternoon and then rise up to something more acceptable at night. I've never had a guitar sprout so badly so quickly and I think it's due to the frets not being perfect to begin with and the nearly unfinished neck shrinking quickly under these low humidity conditions. Anyway, I've banished the new ASAT to the basement to think about what it's done! I'll check it out after it re-hydrates and decide if I want to take a file to the frets.
Wow, I would return it immediately if you can. I think they should be made to replace it. It I'm no expert but there are a lot of people on here who amaze me with the knowledge they have on guitars. I just wonder if the frets were set right. Maybe some of the guys on here can tell you more, but if it was me I would want them to give me a different guitar. Good luck man
Fret sprout is common, even on expensive guitars. The same thing could happen with a replacement guitar. It takes literally half an hour to be rid of it.
The first file I pick up out of the tool box. Go with what you feel comfortable using. I polish up with fine wet/dry on a block.
These work wonders. The black one (clean) should knock down anything sharp. They also work wonders on polishing your frets. And the ends are just foam so it is easier to protect your fretboard while using them. Then when your done working on your guitar you can give yourself a manicure.
Heck, I didn't know that, I have never had a problem like that in the 42 year's of owning guitars. But I also have never owned a new guitar either. I live in Georgia and we have a pretty good climate here, but if that has anything to do with it I don't know. I have had to take a few and have some one else work on the frets but I don't have the knowledge that you guys have. But glad to see the tools you showed because I just didn't know that they existed. Thanks
I've only had a couple of my own that have needed attention over the last 50 years, but I've done some for kids that were pretty nasty.
I would file/sand them down. Is it a a neck with binding then be more carefull you don't mess it up. is the neck edge rolled. And you say its not finished much,like how much. and you probably need to oil the fret board also. Keep it in a case with a hydrator.
The threatened to play me Rolling Stones and Beatles records until I gave in and did the job. Pretty nasty...
