One dead fret on one string

[SteveXFR]

I've just bought a used Ibanez 5 string which plays lovely apart from the 8th fret on the G string which just gives a farty rattle where I guess it's touching a higher fret. 

Should it just be a case of raising the saddle?

[gary mac]

No, if it's a high fret then it will need either filing down or reseating, if it has lifted.

[itu]

Are you analyzing this with old strings? Any adjustment should be done with a new set.

[SteveXFR]

26 minutes ago, itu said:

Are you analyzing this with old strings? Any adjustment should be done with a new set.

 

Nope, new strings.

Should I check the fret height above the fretboard? 

[BreadBin]

You need something flat to check across the frets. You can buy fret rockers but there are many objects that will do the job.

[Baloney Balderdash]

I've had this before, and turned out it was the strings behind the nut that rattled, I assume because that specific note fretted at that specific spot on the fretboard caused them to resonate, and because that string didn't have enough break angle behind the nut, tying a hairband tight over across the strings just behind the nut fixed this issue completely.

 

Next time I changed strings again I made sure that that specific string was long enough so that it was wrapped up lower on the tuning peg, which resulted in a greater break angle, and that fixed the issue without any need to tie that hairband over the strings behind the nut.

 

Check your witness points at nut and bridge, that is the strings breaking at a sharp angle in front and behind the saddles and nut, and if it is set, or that setting it doesn't fix the issue, try doing what I did, with a hairband or similar, and see if that fixes it.

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[Baloney Balderdash]

On 10/09/2023 at 15:08, BreadBin said:

You need something flat to check across the frets. You can buy fret rockers but there are many objects that will do the job.

A regular credit card makes for an excellent fret rocker, long side for the frets closest to the headstock, short side for frets closest to bridge.

 

Placing the edge of the credit card across 3 frets at a time parallel with the strings and gently trying to rock it back and forth, and if it rocks just the tiniest amount it means that one of the frets are too high/low, depending.

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[bass_dinger]

I had previously used a credit card to resolve a fret issue, but @Baloney Balderdash's solution feels more satisfying.  I shall try it, next time

[ezbass]

On 11/09/2023 at 17:30, Baloney Balderdash said:

A regular credit card makes for an excellent fret rocker, long side for the frets closest to the headstock, short side for frets closest to bridge.

 

Placing the edge of the credit card across 3 frets at a time parallel with the strings and gently trying to rock it back and forth, and if it rocks just the tiniest amount it means that one of the frets are too high/low, depending.

 

I used this method with my recently acquired Squier P. It was most timely in posting and effective finding the offending fret (it turned out to be 2 in my case). A quick polish with 800, 1000, 1500 grit and a micromesh cloth put things right.

Edited September 19, 2023 by ezbass