Crayon Sky Music

Dead frets on a Gibson Les Paul?

I just acquired a 1990 Gibson Les Paul Classic for a really low price, but there is a catch. 3 of the strings are completely dead from the 5th fret all the way up to about the 12th. At first I was thinking a set up and or truss rod adjustment would fix this but now I’m wondering… I’ve seen dead spots before but never this many. My first though was a badly repaired cracked neck, but there is no evidence of the neck ever being cracked. At the price I got it for I figure I could put in a few hundred at getting the fretboard fixed and it would still be worth it. So what do you think, and have any of you ever had dead frets this bad?

From the way you are explaining it, IT MAY NOT NEED A FRET JOB. I doubt it verrrrrrrryyyyy much. The fact that you say that it buzzes from the 5th to the 12th is about right.

Here is what you do. Put .009 extra light gauge or light gauge .010, which you decide.
Now, place the guitar on your lap and press the 1st fret with the index finger of the left hand and the 12 th fret with the other hand. Their should be a clearance of about 1/16″ at the 7th fret.

In your case, the string probably touches. And if you want to double check, but your eye at the head stock, hold the 1st fret with one hand & the 12th fret and look towards the middle of the neck and I bet you the neck is bowed and the strings are touching.

What you need to do first BEFORE touching any frets, is a truss rod adjustment which is TOO TIGHT. You need to loosen the truss rod by turning counter-clockwise 1/4 to 1/2 turn. This will release the neck and you should see an immediate difference.
When you get the clearance of 1/16″ between stirng and fingerboard, you are done and ready to play and no buzzing. That is how sure I am.

I can understand one bad fret but 14 of them. no way. The person probably left the guitar untuned which caused the neck to bow backward.
Basically, decide on the gauge (i suggest light gauge) and then check the neck.
Whatever you do, don’t play with the frets. It needs a truss rod adjustment and will solve your problem.

Just a note that Gibson classic use a good nickel fret and lasts for 30 years easily.

2003 GIBSON NECK REPAIR PROJECT PART 1