Grem Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 (edited) This is in reference to the StewMac guitar I built. The build came with a 16" radius neck. This is the first 16" I ever played (that I knownof). After much debate I decided to replace the neck. I ordered a neck from Guitar Anatomy in The UK off of Etsy. Neck has a serious flaw. The middle.of all frets (except 3) aren't seated in the middle. They are properly seated at the ends, but the middle sticks up about 120 - 150 mm. The seller accepts returns. And is willing to offer to pay up to $30 for the return shipping. And he will pay to ship me a new neck. So I decided on a return /swap solution. I went to+ ship the package back to him and UPS wants to charge me over $350!! Said I had tompay duties and fees. Anyone know how I can ship it cheaply back to the UK? Oh, BTW, I can push those frets down till the seat properly. But they won't stay down. To me that means the slot that was cut for the frets are too.wide in the middle. So the barbs have nothing to grab onto. Anyone else have another explanation... I'm all ears!! Edited April 18 by Grem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeringAmps Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 This would/should fall into the category "return merchandise" and no duties should apply. However, convincing the UPS counter clerk of that might be difficult to impossible. You could try super gluing the frets down, but obviously the neck is not "right"; and you don't want it. 20 minutes ago, Grem said: he will pay to ship me a new neck You sure that's what you want given what you received? Can you spell Warmouth? That's the direction I would go... Good luck, "I feel your pain", t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 1 hour ago, DeeringAmps said: Can you spell Warmouth Yes, I have a guitar with a Performance neck with a hockey stick headstock. And yes I should have went that way staying close to home. But this is a Roasted Maple neck with Roasted Maple fretboard. And to be honest the damn thing feels great!! Fret ends are polished perfectly rounded, best I have ever seen. Really. So this is quality work here. But them frets... Not sure if superglue would hold them down. If I have to Inwill give that a try as a first solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoveCamper Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Take it to a luthier close by and get an estimate to fix it . It might be cheaper then shipping it to the UK ( and it might be faster). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigb Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Too bad you don't have an Alembic Michael! All it takes to fix one of those is to wave a magic wand (and maybe some Unicorn blood)... 😜 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeringAmps Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 2 hours ago, craigb said: All it takes to fix one of those is to play Am Fixed that for ya… t 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeringAmps Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 3 hours ago, Grem said: Not sure if superglue would hold them If the slots are a bit wide, maybe not. Lots of builders use super glue, especially on re-frets. It’s kind of a crapshoot. t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettelus Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 The luthier option might be best if you like the neck otherwise. Frets really need to be cauled and then tapped so the barbs are under fresh wood, but a luthier should have all the stuff needed to pull and reseat them properly for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grem Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Haven't decided what I am going to do yet. Mettelus, this rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper and deeper!! LOL!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettelus Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 After what you went through on the first one, I would have kept that as a badge of courage (and resolve). Another reason I was thinking the luthier as well is I am curious what is the cause of such a repeatable inconsistency. Gut assumption is they used a caul that was a smaller radius than the board (so it would contact the edges first), but then made me wonder if the ends are glued since you said the middle will seat but not stay put. The guy who PLEK'd my main pulled and reseated half the frets before PLEKing (first fret job I did in a dorm room without proper tools) for $50 and they are still fully seated 12 years later. Yours would be a bit more complicated because the tangs are not exposed so a simple fret saw won't work if the slot is filled... but then again, that issue may also be from the machine they used to cut the slots with. Just sucks they sent you something with an issue like that and didn't QC it better. But that did just make me think of another idea.... get a quote from a luthier, and ask Guitar Anatomy if they will pay for the repair since it isn't your fault, and you shouldn't be shelling out return fees in the first place. Putting you out of pocket for $350 is a bit uncalled for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulo Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 14 hours ago, Grem said: the middle sticks up about 120 - 150 mm. That's nearly as long as my........ ruler. I think I'd be telling them that their courier can collect it when they deliver the new one. Either that or a refund and then their courier can collect it whenever they like. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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