fret lines problem

[joeyzaza]

Hi, I have a bass which is made fretless new, but has fretlines. The thing I notice, is that when I play on the fretline, which is neccessary sometimes, you don't get the smooth sound, but a rattly sound, like fretbuzz on a fretted bass. Not on every fret, but on some, and I am just wondering if this is a problem with most lined fretless basses, or if my bass is not set up correctly, I'm not a fretless player you see

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by joeyzaza

Hi, I have a bass which is made fretless new, but has fretlines. The thing I notice, is that when I play on the fretline, which is neccessary sometimes, you don't get the smooth sound, but a rattly sound, like fretbuzz on a fretted bass. Not on every fret, but on some, and I am just wondering if this is a problem with most lined fretless basses, or if my bass is not set up correctly, I'm not a fretless player you see

rub your finger up and down the fingerboard...
can you FEEL the fretlines? you shouldn't be able to.

also, it could be the string rattling against the board...it could be insufficient relief...too low action...uneven board...or any combination thereof.

[Mark Wilson]

Your bass is definitely set up incorrectly.

[joeyzaza]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

rub your finger up and down the fingerboard...
can you FEEL the fretlines? you shouldn't be able to.

also, it could be the string rattling against the board...it could be insufficient relief...too low action...uneven board...or any combination thereof.

Yes, I can feel the fretlines all the way along, very easily. What should I do?

It's a conklin GT5 fretless btw.

[spudmaster34]

the board needs sanding, if you want to do it youself, you will need a radius block, sandpaper and some finish, if you want to get it profesionaly done, take it to a pro

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

the board needs sanding, if you want to do it youself, you will need a radius block, sandpaper and some finish, if you want to get it profesionaly done, take it to a pro

take it to a pro...a competent one...get the board leveled and get it set-up.

if you're a confident woodworker you can most definitely do it yourself with the correct tools.

a bad setup will exasperate the problem...why don't you make sure you have some relief...
...hold string down near first fretline...and hold it down near 15th fret...check around the 8th fret position, you should see a tiny bit of daylight between the string and the board
if there's none adjust your trussrod

...next thing to try is raise your action slightly until the buzz goes...if you have to raise it too much (you judge), then you definitely need to have a luthier have a look at it.

[joeyzaza]

the problem with sanding the board is that it's not wood but ebonal composite, like on parkers, and the fretlines aren't wood either.

[spudmaster34]

hmm, why don't you contact the maker and say the board needs leveling, ask their advice on what to do

[202dy]

Originally Posted by joeyzaza

the problem with sanding the board is that it's not wood but ebonal composite, like on parkers, and the fretlines aren't wood either.

Leveling composites or phenolics is not difficult. You will employ the same techniques and materials as if the fingerboard is wood. But unless you have good woodworking skills or repair experience, fingerboard leveling is best left to the pros.

[joeyzaza]

I see, I didn't know that. I guess I'll take it to a pro. Thanks!