Defretting Graphite Neck ... tuning into lined fretless

[ubado]

I'm GAS'n for a lined fretless 19mm ... with that, I'm looking into being able to turn a fretted graphite neck ... fretless. I've only got so much $$ to spend, so having a custom graphite lined fretless neck made, isn't in the cards.

So, anyone know of a good luthier who's had this work done?
Has anyone had experience doing this? (not looking to do this myself)

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by ubado

So, anyone know of a good luthier who's had this work done?

I remember years ago -- like, 20 or 25 -- reading an article by Richard Stanley, a luthier/repair guy who was in the Boston MA area, where he said the single hardest defret job he'd ever done was on a Steinberger with the composite neck & phenolic fingerboard. The problem is that the neck is too stiff to be able to apply any backbend to widen the fret slots before removing the frets, plus the phenolic material is prone to chipping when you try to pull the fret tangs out. Or something like that.

That being said, he did offer it as one of his services; it just had a significant premium above the cost of a traditional wood neck fretjob. He might still be in business, his business went by the name "Richard Stanley Guitarsmith"

[kesslari]

You can also look for a 19 mm fretless Zon - there's one (maybe 2?) in the Classifieds here.

[ubado]

Originally Posted by kesslari

You can also look for a 19 mm fretless Zon - there's one (maybe 2?) in the Classifieds here.

? ... perhaps I've missed them. I've only seen 17mm ones. Really trying not to pull the trigger ... although GAS is getting me something fierce ... I'm craving lined fretless graphite.

[fretlessrock]

You want to look for a Zon 519, which is the 35 inch, 19mm spacing variant of the regular 34/17mm Zon.

[Tim C.]

I know when I thought I'd have to have my Status Graphite neck re-fretted, Rob Green (Status founder and owner) informed the technician I went to that in order to re-fret the neck, an entirely new composite fretboard would have to be made because removing the frets destroys the fretboard.

So, if you're going to buy a carbon fiber neck and try to de-fret it, steer clear of Status.

[elgecko]

Just an idea...how about CAREFULLY grinding the frets down level to the fingerboard? It'd leave cool tang lines!

[Big chicken]

status graphite makes fretless necks

[ubado]

Originally Posted by fretlessrock

You want to look for a Zon 519, which is the 35 inch, 19mm spacing variant of the regular 34/17mm Zon.

Yup ... however used one's don't come up very often at all. I just don't have the $$ to pony up for a new one.

The same thing goes for having a custom lined fretless neck made, either.

So with that, there are a few fretted graphite necked ones that pop up from time to time ... this is why I'm hoping to find info on turning them into lined fretless'.

[ubado]

Originally Posted by elgecko

Just an idea...how about CAREFULLY grinding the frets down level to the fingerboard? It'd leave cool tang lines!

I've thought about that ... it's just hard to find a luthier that will do it (many shy away from graphite). I've seen a couple over the years ... they do look cool.

Finding a luthier that will work, or has worked on graphite necks is a chore in itself.

[Pilgrim]

I think it's a bad idea. The potential for damaging the neck seems very high. Best to get a fretless neck, even if it takes a while to find one.

[rpsands]

Moses makes a deep set heel 35" scale neck that's around 500 bucks, works with a 19mm spacing, and almost surely could come in lined fretless.

My Starhawk is 19mm spacing, and has this 28 fret neck, and it's pretty amazing Took me some time to go from 17mm to 19mm spacing, but I'm liking it more and more.

[ubado]

Figured I should update the thread in case so folks happen across this later down the road.

Well ... I went and converted one. Picked up a 19mm graphite necked Clover Bass-Tard 5 here of the TB classifieds. Had resident TB'er ModulusAcacia do the work. It turned out better than I expected (hats off to Justin/ModulusAcacia ... he's one talented cat).

The neck came out like glass. You really can't tell it's a conversion unless you look closely (within a foot or so).



Here's the link to his TB thread with process pics.
Graphite neck fretted to fretless conversion (with plenty of process pics!)


For the price of the fretless conversion ... it's well worth the risk. I'm not saying that all attempts will come out this good ... it'll all depend on the board material, and the guy doing the work. And by all means ... I wouldn't attempt this without the proper equipment. Including a high speed buffer and some know-how.

If you are like me ... and only 19mm will do ... give it a shot. Cause 19mm lined fretless necked basses don't come up very often at all. Chances are ... you'll find a fretted one first.


Any hoo ... here's some board pics.

[BigOldHarry]

I know that when I had a Zon defretted, many years ago, I sent it to the Zon factory and let him deal with it. And he wasn't way spendy - ~$300, as I recall...

[ubado]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I know that when I had a Zon defretted, many years ago, I sent it to the Zon factory and let him deal with it. And he wasn't way spendy - ~$300, as I recall...

$300 ... not too much to ask (assuming it's the same rate today). Especially given that you're most likely purchasing a "used" bass anyway.

As for myself ... I didn't even fork over that much. However, having the builder do the work is definitely worth the extra cost. It's something to add to the mix, especially if the costs & timeline is something that would work for you.


I've just read so many treads stating the same old thing ... "Don't do it" .... never ... "hey it can be done, and he's my experience."
Personally, I'm glad I took the risk.

[joeyl]

hmm, who's the lady in your avatar?

[ubado]

Originally Posted by joeyl

hmm, who's the lady in your avatar?

Grace Kelly