Re: 17th and above frets... High E string issue
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 8:48 pm
That would be an intonation problem and several things can lead to this. First check that you don't have a fret or two sanded too low. This happens from repeated leveling. I've done this on one of my first guitars. It comes from correcting a high fret, that's actually caused from the fretboard not being leveled.
I found that when leveling fretboards, it's best to chalk the board and sand from one direction only, until the chalk disappears. This way, you won't end up with a dip in the board from sanding back and forth. This dip causes frets below that point, to be higher, therefore fretting out. You correct this by lowering the fret(s) to the point that they aren't high enough to do their job.
Most likely, this is your culprit.
The other reasons are the frets being cut in the wrong position, not being rounded on the top (skewed one direction or the other). But since you notice that it's that far off, ten dollars to a doughnut, you've sanded one or more frets too flat.
My recommendation is to pull all frets, chalk your board, and level the board again, sanding in one direction only, until the chalk disappears. I'd be willing to bet that you'll see one or two low spots very quickly. You'll correct the problem with your relevel. Then, fret again.
I found that when leveling fretboards, it's best to chalk the board and sand from one direction only, until the chalk disappears. This way, you won't end up with a dip in the board from sanding back and forth. This dip causes frets below that point, to be higher, therefore fretting out. You correct this by lowering the fret(s) to the point that they aren't high enough to do their job.
Most likely, this is your culprit.
The other reasons are the frets being cut in the wrong position, not being rounded on the top (skewed one direction or the other). But since you notice that it's that far off, ten dollars to a doughnut, you've sanded one or more frets too flat.
My recommendation is to pull all frets, chalk your board, and level the board again, sanding in one direction only, until the chalk disappears. I'd be willing to bet that you'll see one or two low spots very quickly. You'll correct the problem with your relevel. Then, fret again.