Like many of us living in the northern central US, we have experienced cold, dry, weather. The humidity drops to very low levels and a whole house humidifier is not a solution (another discussion with different issues). The only real concern for solid body guitars is fret sprout. This is the time of the year to deal with it as it sometimes doesn't go away when the humidity returns. If you take care of it now you most likely will not have to deal with it again.
I removed it on 5 guitars this morning and it was slight and easy to remove. I use a Nicholson fine flat file about 8 inches long. It is easy to do and if done properly you will not touch the neck finish. It does take a bit of practice to get the feel. The file must be run flat against the side of the neck. You can feel the frets grabbing, a few passes and as soon as it the file begins to feel smooth and move easily you are probably done. Carefully check to make sure you don't get to the finish while you are doing it. It takes patience and checking to get it right. Do not try this unless you think through the process. Keep in mind that the wood has shrunk from low humidity and the fret ends are now wider than the neck. Do not try to address the frets individually but run down the side of the neck along the neck. Practice on a beater if you have one. The key here is to have a perfectly flat file. Good luck to those who confident to try this. The results are amazing and the neck will feel smooth to play again.
The interesting thing is that many guitars don't develop fret sprout. Some do and if fixed when the humidity has been the lowest for a period of time it most likely will not happen again.
BTW, I have been using a whole house humidifier and have unplugged it. That is a story in itself. -- Darwin
Last edited by darwinohm on Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:34 am, edited 1 time in total.