I have this problem higher up on my fret board - it doesnt make proper contact when I bend from about 17-22 on the high e string (and sometimes on B).
My friend said its from the string not being able to make proper contact with the fret board. And that you can file down the frets a little so the string contacts properly.

Is this right? And how do I go about doing it?

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I could be totaly wrong....but I'd keep a file away from my frets.

Will be interesting to see what the experts say.

the best thing i can say is bring it too a luther. or if no luther a guitar shop.
happy b-day bia

Try raising your action first if it is really low. Typically this is caused by the next fret up being higher than the one that goes dead, so you would file that next one up. I have done this and it was no problem at all. All of the frets should be level with each other, so just take a straight edge and lay it across the frets and CAREFULLY file down parts of frets that are higher than the rest. If a few frets are worn down from use then you will be doing a lot of filing to even the rest out, but it really is no big deal if you are cautious and mechanically inclined. I would never trust a luthier over myself other than asking him any questions I have and grilling him until he gives me a good reason for his answers, but you have to ask yourself if you think the average Joe does better work than you do. If the answer is no then go for it. Worst case scenario you get some good life experience and buy a fresh new neck. If you do it, make sure you use a very fine file and put tape over the wood areas to avoid scratching. I did mine flat first, then beveled both sides of each fret a little bit and it totally kicked ass and all dead spots were gone (this was on an ancient guitar with badly worn frets and I scalloped the frets as well because they fretwires were to close to the wood).

Do you mean that when you fret a note on the 17+ frets, the string doesn't touch the wood of the fretboard like it would on say, the 3rd fret?

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dont touch it with a file whatever u do,

the problem is either the action or frets, check the action, if that dont work, go down to your local guitar shop and get them to have a look for ye.

you dont wana fuck up the frets and have to get your fretboard refretted.

( woo lots of frets )

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yea i guess ill take it to the guitar shop and see what they have to say.

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