Epoxy or other coating for fretless?

bassophile · #1 12-28-2006, 03:15 AM

HI,

I have Cort 6 string fretless with polyurethane coating on pau ferro fretboard which is great, but I was wondering if epoxy will give the bass more organic sound similar to uncoated fretboards. I know that I can remove poly to get that sound but I want to have fretboard protection anyway, so I'm searching for coating which is more natural soundwise.

Thanks

MichaelVee · #2 12-28-2006, 06:52 AM

I've used both poly and tung oil. Poly is great for use with abrasive strings.

There's not a lot of difference in sound between poly and epoxy- both are hard surface coatings. However, there's a lot of sound difference between hard and soft coatings.

If you are going to play with flatwounds or black nylons, consider tung oil.

3 or 4 coats of a high gloss tung oil looks great on a fretless board and holds up. It's an easy touch up, as well.

62bass · #3 12-28-2006, 11:47 AM

I put a hard, two coat epoxy surface on a Stingray fretless rosewood fingerboard. The sound got a little harsh in the upper harmonics for my tastes. I like an untreated rosewood board for a warmer, more "organic" sound. I also like flatwounds best on a fretless. Of course I like flatwounds best on everything. Lots of people disagree with me. But I've been playing bass since 1961 and have become very set in my ways and opinions.