I was looking for some cheap(ish) substitutes for my Gretsch 6120 and old Gibson ES-130 in case I put them up for sale as I'm trying to cut down, and found these lurking on eBay in the week. Clearly, then, the way to cut down is to buy more. Berk.
They both turned up on Friday - the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin and a Peavey Rockingham, both models of which I've owned previously.
I haven't done anything to either of them yet, although the Godin turned up with flatwounds and it sounded as authentic a T-Bone Walker style as anything that I've ever had. More so, in fact, so I think I'll be using flats on it.
The Rockingham's in exceptional condition and sounds and feels great, with a neck that really suits me, but it has sharp fret ends. Whether this is from shrinkage or poor workmanship I don't know, but the chap had it for getting on for fifteen years from new and didn't appear to be too lacerated, so I don't know.
Now, I'm cack-handed, to the extent of possibly being the lovechild of Frank Spencer and Mr Bean, but I quite fancy having a go at this myself. Can anyone recommend a tool or a kit that isn't massively pricey that would help?
Or should I just take it to someone that actually knows what they're doing? I certainly would if it was an expensive guitar, but I don't want to put too much money into it. Although I have been wondering about P-90's, etc...
Thanks in advance.
Call me Dave.
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I am nearly a year in, and thought I would ask them to look at the fret ends. They certainly made them nicer by taking the burr of the edge, but they didn’t do anything with the sides (does that make sense ?) - so if you run your finger along the length of the neck, the frets are still somewhat sharp.
I can go back later in the year, so not a problem. But if you do take yours to a tech, make sure they know exactly what you want...
I am also cack handed. I've owned a couple of guitars with sharp fret ends and I don't know whether I got used to them or they smoothed out over time with play, but it never bothered me after a few months
Alternatively you could try gently dressing the ends with a metal diamond/sapphire nail file.
You can't do any real damage unless you go really crazy & you might just fix it