Nickel rounds vs 10 coats of polish (fretless)

machine gewehr · #1 07-15-2008, 07:32 AM

I just turned my bass into fretless but I couldn't find epoxy to make sure its hard enough to handle roundwounds.Instead I applied 6 coats of polish (basic wood polish,4 more coats are on the way)

It says its tough enough for scratches on the box.But you never try to scratch the floor with rw strings do you?

I don't like the feel of the flats,I'm a nickel guy and nickels would sound warm&bright&mwaaah on this one I guess and they aren't as rough as the steels.

Question is,would it eat up the coats easily and ruin the board?

MysticMichael · #2 07-15-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

Question is,would it eat up the coats easily and ruin the board?

I guess only time will tell. If you still want to put down a semi-permanent hard surface, and you still can't find epoxy (although that seems very odd), you might want to try Tru-Oil - if you can find it: Tru-Oil

I haven't tried it personally, but I've read the testimonies of many other fretless players who've claimed very good results...

MM

machine gewehr · #3 07-17-2008, 06:07 AM

I waited till the polish dried.I put 9 coats on the board and it seems to me,when it gets its full strenght a few days later,it may actually be able to handle round nickels.

I never knew about that oil and I guess I won't be able to find it here as it is hard to find even epoxy,or I don't know where to look lol.

But like you said Michael,time will tell I guess.Thanks by the way.

Tony G · #4 07-17-2008, 06:21 AM

Life is too short to worry about a worn fretboard. I use Nickel roundwounds on my bare ebony fretless board. Sure, there is a little wear on it, but nothing that couldn't be sanded down in time and made fresh if I desired. Another option is to try a coated string like Elixers or even better, DR Black Beauties. The coating should help reduce wear as well.

ganga · #5 07-17-2008, 06:35 AM

Round nickels aren't too hard on your fretboard anyway.

machine gewehr · #6 07-17-2008, 06:43 AM

Tony I was just thinking about Elixirs 30 mins. ago.

I never used them and heard that they are zingy+expensive.I'll ask about the black beauties to the shop though,if they have it at a reasonable price,why not.

I guess nickels won't be that harsh on the board too and thanks for the comfirmation,I feel better already.

Davo-London · #7 07-17-2008, 10:02 PM

HG Thor will coat your neck for you, check out woodwiz.com. But you'll have to wait. He has a long waiting list. I've had my neck epoxy'd 2 years ago and it's not showing any wear. I use Sunbeams.

Davo

staindbass · #8 07-17-2008, 10:14 PM

have you tried any boat/marine supply shops? i think jaco used marine epoxy. i think the roundwounds will eat the wood quick. one thing about epoxies. the longer it takes to cure, the harder it cures. if you use 5 minute epoxy, it will harden but you will always be able to dent your fingernail into it. if you use 2 or 4 hour epoxy, its more glass like. another thing about epoxy most peoploe dont know is after its mixed, it needs to be heated to 90-95 degrees before applying. the epoxy needs to combine on a molecular level to be full strength and heating helps this. i used to do autobody repair, thats where i learned this. johnny a

James Hart · #9 07-17-2008, 10:33 PM

good call Johnny! When I epoxied my Hamer, I went to the local parts place (I live at the Jersey Shore) and got some 2 part stuff. It's held up well.

As far as strings vs. fingerboards in general:

metal > wood

Ask some old school Upright players if they've ever had a board dressed or replaced from wear!

With fretless instruments it's crucial to mwah and vibrato along the length of the strings NOT back and forth on the board (like a blues guitarist). Also, figuring hand pressure has a lot to do with the speed of wear...

I have an Acrylized board (special process that can be searched for here) and an epoxied board. Both are holding up well to stainless rounds... but like frets, as they wear theywill be dressed and eventually replaced

machine gewehr · #10 07-18-2008, 04:57 AM

I didn't know that Johnny,really good call there. I'm still looking for epoxy if I come across stores but going to give the polish a shot. Its no big deal if I have to re-sand and coat so when it wears off I'll go with the epoxy.

Quote:

HG Thor will coat your neck for you, check out woodwiz.com.

I do this as a project,I wanted it to be all made by me.I have a luthier 20 mins. away from my home.

Quote:

have you tried any boat/marine supply shops? i think jaco used marine epoxy.

I went to the biggest supply shop in Istanbul,they didn't have epoxy but recommended another place which is too far and I have no idea how to go there.

I asked especially for boat/marine epoxy as I knew what Jaco did,most of the people I asked didn't even know about epoxy and I don't come across marine shops much.I don't know if I ever saw one before lol.

Quote:

With fretless instruments it's crucial to mwah and vibrato along the length of the strings NOT back and forth on the board (like a blues guitarist). Also, figuring hand pressure has a lot to do with the speed of wear...

Thanks for the tip,also I have a very unconsistent hand pressure on the board.Trying to fix that for a while now.

Quote:

I have an Acrylized board (special process that can be searched for here) and an epoxied board. Both are holding up well to stainless rounds... but like frets, as they wear theywill be dressed and eventually replaced

I can't wait to play it enough to wear the coat and replace it James.