Fixing a Fretboard Issue. Advice needed.

[dayl]

Hi guys.

I need a bit of advice. I purchased an old Epiphone LP Custom. Turned out the fretboard had separated from the neck... so I glued it back.

Now the problem is that the 1st and second fret are lower than 3rd buy 0.5mm approx, maybe slightly more on the 1st fret.

I should also mention that low E, A & D are fine it the G to the high E with a gradual gap.

The frets on the whole are good enough for a while but don't look have enough meat on them for a file and crown by the looks.

So what should I do?

A: Refret 1st and 2nd and file down to match?
B: See if the the whole board has a fb leveling left in it?
C: refret the whole thing because Epi LPs are worthy.
D: Separate the FB and try again sucka!

20230924_185217.jpg (2.97 MiB) Viewed 5352 times

[NippleWrestler]

So is the fretboard at that area thinner as well, or just the frets? Do you have a notched straightedge to check? Were the frets level before the regluing?

I don't see why just refretting 1 and 2 wouldn't get it where you need to be.

What does this mean?

"low E, A & D are fine it the G to the high E with a gradual gap."

[ChAoZ]

Is that without string tension???

[Jay]

You can't just remove the strings and then expect all the frets to be level. You need to play with the truss rod to get the neck straight. So you need a straight edge with notches as said above. Then once the neck is straight, check the frets with a proper level.

[dayl]

So is the fretboard at that area thinner as well, or just the frets? Do you have a notched straightedge to check? Were the frets level before the regluing?

I don't see why just refretting 1 and 2 wouldn't get it where you need to be.

What does this mean?

"low E, A & D are fine it the G to the high E with a gradual gap."

You can see in the pic the area that was glued as it still needs cleaning up. The fb was quite raised and it looks like between cleaning out and gluing, I've pressed the fretboard back too hard and pressed the first and second fret down .5mm too far. Only on the higher register. The the lower is still level.

[dayl]

This scenario doesn't have anything to do with String tension or truss rod adjustment.

I've compressed the fretboard 1st and second frets around .5mm or just under, when clamping and regluing the fretboard.

[GrantB]

If it stays like that under string tension then I would be doing what you suggest and refret with higher wire in those two slots, file to size, crown, be done.

If you need two pieces of wire let me know, I may have the right size.

[dayl]

Cheers grant.