[Grendel]

On my 6 year old RG7, I was having major problems getting good pinch harmonics on my 7th. string (tuned to A). My frets are fairly worn and generally buzz when fretted (not open). When I raised my action a LOT, I noticed I got great pinch harmonics on my 7th. string! My fretted notes are also much fuller when playing chords and more punchy on single notes.

Has anybody had a similar experience with worn frets? I wasn't aware that worn frets can have such a negative impact on the tone and harmonics of a guitar. Bummer, because refretting is so much work (or so expensive).

Thanks.

[thadood]

Actually, raising the action on guitars tends to give you a slightly better tone. There's less in the way of the string's vibration, so it vibrates more freely. Your frets could be getting pretty worn, but that's the usual effect of raising action, too.

[Zepp88]

Originally Posted by thadood

Actually, raising the action on guitars tends to give you a slightly better tone. There's less in the way of the string's vibration, so it vibrates more freely. Your frets could be getting pretty worn, but that's the usual effect of raising action, too.

I've also noticed this.

[JJ Rodriguez]

It probably has more to do with getting the strings further away from your pickups. Try putting your action back down and lowering your pickups.

[darren]

You're also moving the strings away from the frets, which probably helps.

Worn frets can also throw off your intonation, since the string isn't necessarily breaking over at (or close to) the centre of the fret crown. As you wear flat spots in the crowns of the frets, the string breaks over closer to the bridge.