Dan Erlewine let me down

[7thbass]

In bassplayer a few months ago he de-fretted a bass and said "next week, how to apply superglue coating to fingerboard". Few months later, nothing. What gives? Is there a step-by-step guide for rest of us?

[jeff_bass28]

Now that I think about it, you're right; he moved on to that old P-Bass.
Not that there's anything wrong with an old P-Bass.

Maybe he left it unfinished so we'll break down and buy one of his books???

[fenderx55]

Which book? the guitar player repair guide hasn't been updated in 10 years

[jeff_bass28]

Well, I did not know that- I don't buy his books!

[tplyons]

Yeah, I was really looking forward to part deux teux.

Frankly, I was astounded that he uses such a method, whereas here it's all about epoxy. What gives? I'd love to see him do an epoxy tutorial.

[jeff_bass28]

I'm guessing StewMac doesn't sell epoxy? Haven't checked them out for a looong time, so I don't know. I do know that in previous BP articles, he always pushed StewMac products.

[Beav]

I was actually quite dissapointed in reading his fretting book. There's a long portion in the front of the book where he talks about the different fretting techniques, but after that there's no help. I had to look at how to level and file frets for about 30 minutes due to the lack of instruction.

[FL Knifemaker]

I would like to see that myself. I use crazy glue finishes on some of my knife handles. The "thin" Cyano glues are great for finishing wood. They must be applied in several layers, sometimes sanded in between. They set up hard as rock and and take a brilliant clear polish or satin finish. I'm sure they would make an incredible fingerboard finish.

[Linas]

Long Awaited Epoxy Photo Tutorial

I suppose this same technique could be used with superglue.

[cerrem]

You think you were let down by Dan Erlewine!!!!!!!!!
I was the one who originally developed the radius neck sanding tools back in the early 80's!!!!!!!
I was building drag racing engines in a machine shop back then and worked on guitars on the side.. On my lunch breaks I machined a 2' long radiusing tool made of steel with handles on it.. I made it for radiusing the figerboards... I also did not like the hammering of frets, since I felt the wood and metal would get compressed and distorted...so I designed a tool for pressing the frets in using an arbor press..
I had the misfortune of meeting Dan Erlewine and like a fool I mentioned to him the tools I developed... It wasn't even the next catalog that this clown had copied the radius sanding tool.. In his rush to release the tool, he made a small piece of radiused wood block for the tool....The rest is history...
I learned my lesson to keep my mouth shut

Chris

[NJL]

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by Linas

Long Awaited Epoxy Photo Tutorial

I suppose this same technique could be used with superglue.

I've tried many epoxies and resins over the years and never found any that sets up as hard or sands and finishes as nice as "crazy glue". The only thing that comes close that I've found is Acryglass that's sold by Brownells. It's used for bedding rifle barrels.

[Linas]

On my first try with system 3 mirror coat, i had exelent results. Sometimes if the epoxy doesnt set up as well as you planned, it could be a error in measuring because some epoxies require very specific ratios. Ive heard System 3 epoxies are more forgiving than other epoxy brands. This picture isnt the greatest but you can see the pedulla esque mirror finish i was able to achieve on my fretboard.

[pickles]

Seems to me that polyester (as used by pedulla) would be a better choice than either superglue or epoxy, since it is more flexible and less brittle.

My exeprience on this comes from surfboards, not basses, but since the fingerboard can move around and change relief, especially when changing strings, it seems like a more flexible coating would be more durable long term.

cerrem -- that is such a drag about getting your ideas stolen ... those are some really elegant solutions to the problems!!!

[BartmanPDX]

Originally Posted by 7thbass

In bassplayer a few months ago he de-fretted a bass and said "next week, how to apply superglue coating to fingerboard". Few months later, nothing. What gives? Is there a step-by-step guide for rest of us?

Check this month's issue of Bass PLayer. He apologized and gives the description and photos.

[TheSuzie]

Originally Posted by Linas

This picture isnt the greatest but you can see the pedulla esque mirror finish i was able to achieve on my fretboard.

I love that xmas tree light inlay