Defretted

Fretless925 · #1 08-10-2009, 01:33 PM

I defretted my bass and now have holes in my fingerboard. What could i use to fill them? At the moment i do not have any epoxy or wood putty so could i use superglue or playdoh or would that just be stupid?

Im a sock · #2 08-10-2009, 02:28 PM

I'd go out and get some wood putty. Once its dry you can just sand it down to be level with the fretboard.

UglyBassPlayer4 · #3 08-10-2009, 02:31 PM

I used styrene for mine. Super cheap at any hobby shop.

bassteban · #4 08-10-2009, 11:50 PM

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search...earchid=865824
I have used wood- maple if you want to see the lines, purpleheart to hide them- assuming a rosewood fingerboard.

BassShifter21 · #5 08-11-2009, 11:18 AM

I have used Durahm's Rock Hard Water Putty. Simple, inexpensive, easy and looks very nice, if you want to see the lines. Nice golden tan color.

axaneel · #6 08-13-2009, 02:16 AM

Oooh, sounds pretty.
Pic?

MNAirHead · #7 08-13-2009, 02:19 AM

I've just prepped the board and left it as is.. from 2 feet away after a final sanding - they look like lines for 3 feet.. from an audience distance looks lineless... I like feeling the marker divots.

I own mutliple fretless - this is my favorite setup.

kevin newsham · #8 08-13-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I've just prepped the board and left it as is.. from 2 feet away after a final sanding - they look like lines for 3 feet.. from an audience distance looks lineless... I like feeling the marker divots.

I own mutliple fretless - this is my favorite setup.

I used wire from an old spiral notebook, cut to size and hammered into the slots. Wanted to keep the strength in the neck, instead of creating a flex-joint by removing the frets and leaving it. I then poly coated the board using the resin used in automotive fiberglass, sanded, and buffed to a glass finish. Man did that thing growl!

Ps. Got no PM MNairhead not sure you got mine. Using a blackberry, so you never know.

BassShifter21 · #9 08-14-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axaneel

Oooh, sounds pretty.
Pic?

Yup. Here you go

OHSPyro89 · #10 08-14-2009, 11:45 AM

That's automotive fiberglass resin?

kevin newsham · #11 08-14-2009, 12:12 PM

Don't know if that is, but it lays out like the resin I used. Just have to make sure you use enough hardener to make it strong, and not so much as to make it brittle. You can also use marine grade epoxy-resin. Both work very well, just keep the coating less than 1/8 inch. Then sand and polish smooth, the growl will amaze you. A new exciting voice from a boring old friend.

Akshat · #12 08-14-2009, 12:24 PM

i have kind of a problem.Ive been thinking about defretting my bass for sometime now.the reasons why i still havnt done it as yet are-

1.i just have one bass right now and dont have the resources to buy another bass at the moment.

2.Im not too sure about the guys qualifications who says he could defret my bass.I dont think there are any luthiers nearby where i live.

3.At the same time i dont know what tonal changes my bass would have and if the rosewood fretboard would be able to handle rounwounds.

kevin newsham · #13 08-14-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akshat

i have kind of a problem.Ive been thinking about defretting my bass for sometime now.the reasons why i still havnt done it as yet are-

1.i just have one bass right now and dont have the resources to buy another bass at the moment.

2.Im not too sure about the guys qualifications who says he could defret my bass.I dont think there are any luthiers nearby where i live.

3.At the same time i dont know what tonal changes my bass would have and if the rosewood fretboard would be able to handle rounwounds.

Answer; If you only have one bass and you convert it to fretless, good or bad you committed to being a fretless player. So I would advise you to consider it carefully before you commit. Knocking the frets out is easy, refretting can be a little pricey.

There is a youtube series done by a guy going through the process of defretting a bass. Not bad, and on a rosewood board. Do it yourself if you are goingf to do it at all.

As for sound, depends on the bass. Rosewood will have a warmer sound than ebony, but roundwound strings will wear on it quickly. The cheaper/ softer the rosewood, the faster the wear. One option is epoxy coating the board. A thin coat will still allow some of the warmth, but the epoxy will really make it growl.

Plenty of fretless video's on youtube. Get a good speaker/headphone and listen. Pedulla is a good coated board to listen to. Plenty of rosewood to listen to.

And most importantly, plenty of experience to gather right here, on TB.

BassShifter21 · #14 08-14-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OHSPyro89

That's automotive fiberglass resin?

It's System Three Mirror Coat.

kevin newsham · #15 08-14-2009, 04:37 PM

Is that a spray on clear coat?

Dirk Diggler · #16 08-14-2009, 06:47 PM

I always use thin wood veneer 1/32" is about perfect for it, also gives you choices of colors too.
I will admit that Rockhard putty job looks pretty good though, nice job.
Dirk

BassShifter21 · #17 08-14-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Is that a spray on clear coat?

It is a two part pour-on epoxy.

kevin newsham · #18 08-14-2009, 11:05 PM

Yep, thought so. It layed out too nice to be spray on. Good looking board.

Akshat · #19 08-15-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Answer; If you only have one bass and you convert it to fretless, good or bad you committed to being a fretless player. So I would advise you to consider it carefully before you commit. Knocking the frets out is easy, refretting can be a little pricey.

There is a youtube series done by a guy going through the process of defretting a bass. Not bad, and on a rosewood board. Do it yourself if you are goingf to do it at all.

As for sound, depends on the bass. Rosewood will have a warmer sound than ebony, but roundwound strings will wear on it quickly. The cheaper/ softer the rosewood, the faster the wear. One option is epoxy coating the board. A thin coat will still allow some of the warmth, but the epoxy will really make it growl.

Plenty of fretless video's on youtube. Get a good speaker/headphone and listen. Pedulla is a good coated board to listen to. Plenty of rosewood to listen to.

And most importantly, plenty of experience to gather right here, on TB.

Thanx for the reply.Yeah man i was born to be a fretless player,i always wanted a fretless,even before i knew how to play.
Another option that i have,since my bass is a bolt on,i could buy a neck and defret that.

kevin newsham · #20 08-15-2009, 07:45 AM

Or since you have a little money, you could save some time and energy. Buy a fretless neck!!! Lol Ebay has lots of necks for sale, depending on what bass you have. I am sure some one here has or can make one for you. Think you might ask around in here.