Acoustic-electric fretless cheapo project

[Baron Von Vik]

I was recently given a Dean Playmate acoustic-electric bass as a gift. Although it's a cheap bass, it seems to be constructed solidly, and has weathered a ton of abuse with very little damage. A friend of mine bought it a long time ago to practice on in the dorms, and it sat around our old office for years, being banged and finger-fudged (er...) and dropped by people who were not players. Yet it survived, and still plays well. If you're not familiar with the things, here's a pic-



Now that i have it, it must be modified. It's high time the frets went away, a better pickup system installed, and at least the soundboard refinished.

I'm in the research stage right now, but I'm leaning toward:
1. Pau Ferro
2. Macassar ebony, or
3. Satine (Bloodwood)

for the fretboard.

For starters, does anyone have a preference between the three, or tips for working with them? Thanks-

[Baron Von Vik]

I've decided to go with Bloodwood, having researched the properties of all three pretty extensively, and talked to a couple luthiers. Durability and grain were important to me, but the color (and resistance to fading) is what decided it for me.
I think a red fretboard looks so freaking RAD.
I'm also planning to re-finish the body darker to set the red off more.

I've also located a source (on recommendation) for the wood: Luthier's Mercantile International;

Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. Guitar Builder Wood and Supplies

Of course, if anyone has other recommendations, I'm all ears.

[Baron Von Vik]

I've decided the weird-ass bridge has to go as well. I'm designing a new one at the moment, and considering mounting a Shadow piezo saddle on it through a Fishman preamp. I might even leave the passive pickup it already has and blend the two, even though the stock one is way too trebly. Nothing a few well-placed resistors cant cure though. So many options!
Also, tapewounds are a must.

I'll post pics when I get all my duckies in a row. I can already tell removing the binding and the rosewood fretboard will be a major PIA, but that's the price I'm willing to pay for my eventual happiness.

[Thumpin_P]

Interesting project, good luck to you sir! Whatever makes you happy and helps you learn! Subbed!!!

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Vik

I've decided the weird-ass bridge has to go as well. I'm designing a new one at the moment, and considering mounting a Shadow piezo saddle on it through a Fishman preamp. I might even leave the passive pickup it already has and blend the two, even though the stock one is way too trebly. Nothing a few well-placed resistors cant cure though. So many options!

Um, isn't the original pickup an under-saddle piezo? And I'll betcha seven dollars that the reason the stock one is trebly is because it is passive - piezos without an active buffer have lots of high end and not much low end. You may have better luck just putting a good quality preamp after the stock pickup.

[Baron Von Vik]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Um, isn't the original pickup an under-saddle piezo? And I'll betcha seven dollars that the reason the stock one is trebly is because it is passive - piezos without an active buffer have lots of high end and not much low end. You may have better luck just putting a good quality preamp after the stock pickup.

Well, I have yet to go elbow-deep into the thing... but a search shows you're right about the bridge piezo. The saddle itself is so crappy I assumed there was a contact transducer inside somewhere, but oh well. The current bridge absolutely has to go, and since I'm fixated on the blend idea now, maybe I'll experiment with finding a sweet spot for some Gollihurs inside as well. Thanks for the feedback-