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Originally Posted by MoonShine
Thanks UGB, have removed the strings and looking along the 'neck?' notice it has a convex bow. Will read up on your other advice and consider adjusting the steel reinforcement. Looking at it, it appears to be what we here call and Allen key hex rod?.
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Sounds like someone has been over zealous with that Allen Key Moonshine. If anything you should have a slight concave bow. Sometimes, you can get those frets out by heating them with a soldering iron, if the proper sort of glue was used in the first place. You need to be very careful not to splinter the surrounding timber because the part of the fretwire which goes into the timber has little 'barb like tangs' on it. Make sure you can get some replacement fretwire before you pull the old one. When you get a look at the new wire you will see what I mean about the barbs. I have heard of wetting the surrounding timber to reduce splintering, but I've never tried it. Once you've replaced the fret you can get away with using one of those diamond honers woodworkers use for sharpening chisels, a lot of care and some common sense. Don't forget to mask around the fret with something to protect the fingerboard. BTW, I wouldn't contemplate doing a home fret job on any guitar of value, but I've done a couple of old guitars, just for fun and it's worked out okay.