Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys... I've done a complete fret level and crown/polish on an older esp eclipse when I lived back in NJ a few years ago with my friends tools. I am definitely not pro but the job turned out great with his help. I just picked up a newer ESP Horizon NT-II and it has just one high fret (#14). It's not loose or anything, I think they just overlooked it at the factory somehow. It's definitely higher on the 4-5-6 string bass side as well. I'm pretty sure I can just take it down a bit with a crowning file, slowly, until it's the correct height. I use the end of the metal straight-edge rocking method to determine when it's level.

So here is my question... ESP lists the guitar as having 24 XJ frets.
This stewmac 3-in-1 fret file has been recommended to me: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...Fret_File.html

Which burr size would I need for this one fret?
Narrow 3/32"
Medium 1/8"
Wide 3/16"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

maybe it's too hardcore to buy the special file for just one fret... especially since its only fretting out on the bass side?
perhaps just file it down then use triangle file or sandpaper to crown?
what do you guys think?

I would use a file and file it down until it's level with the rest, then do a full level and crown of all frets. MHO, but this is what I do in cases like this. The reason is that it's cheap insurance that every fret is level with each other. If you just file, level and crown the one fret, there's a good chance that if you're not careful it'll end up low, and if you do a full fret level without filing down the high fret first, there's a good chance you'll take too much off of the other frets while trying to get the high one level. MHO.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

You might want to check under that fret with a feeler gauge to see if it is seated properly. That is the first thing I would do. When you have determined you have good contact you can proceed to level and crown.
You may not need to crown at all if you can reset that high fret.
Good luck