God, 14 pages later ... That's an hour and a half I'll never get back but adds to my experience (whch isn't a lot) ... just had a look at my gap (albeit it the A string as I have no E of course) when the 1st and last frets are touched and the string is ON the frets all the way down - there is NO relief from what I can see .... just a quick check, it is 1.30am and no that bright in this room. I'll have another check tomorrow - off to the repair section to try and find a man who can ... if I can't, then well ...