Half fretless P bass

bigbass94 · #1 02-08-2008, 10:27 AM

So, I have and old P bass that I love, but it has terrible fretbuzz below the 12th fret. I have experience in defreting and it would cost me more that I could afford to have the fret's redone. So me question is, should I do it ? Also, tell me about your experience with a half fretless bass. Thanks alot!

fenderx55 · #2 02-08-2008, 10:46 AM

Do you mean fret buzz from 1-11 or 12-20? If it's the former, I don't think you could defret it and leave it that way (and still get that fretless sound), mostly because the fulcrum point you create with your finger to "fret" the note would be below the frets higher up on the board, so you would probably bottom out on those. However, if your talking about defretting 13-20, that would pretty kick ass, I've been wanting to do that to a bass for a while.

bigbass94 · #3 02-08-2008, 12:05 PM

13-20. I allready did it all the way on my old soudgear gio. It made it sound so good.

Yvarg · #4 02-08-2008, 12:14 PM

If you did want to make frets 1-11 fretless, you could always glue a thin piece of wood to the fretboard there after you took out the frets and make it level to the frets, right?

deaf pea · #5 02-08-2008, 01:30 PM

On ANY fretted/fretless hybrid, there needs to be a raised section of fingerboard for the fretless part . . .

**ExaltBass** · #6 02-08-2008, 01:39 PM

Here is a link - I've played one of these, and they are incredible!

http://www.brownsguitarfactory.com

**Mark Wilson** · #7 02-08-2008, 01:45 PM

Know what I think would be cool?
fretless past the 12th fret, and route in a Jazz Pickups in the bridge.

That way, you can get that P-Bass Motown tone, and with the flick of a switch, that Jaco-Esque solo style!

jordan_frerichs · #8 02-08-2008, 10:22 PM

i have heard of patial fretless a few times. would try it on the las couple of frets, but i already scalloped the last few frets. don't imagine scalloped and fretless in the same area would do to well. it might be cool. to do a hybrid fretboard, like some areas fretless, some fretted, some fretted and scalloped
i think it would also be a good idea to make hybrid strings that are the regular type for a fretted bass, and switch to flatwounds at the for the fretless area

Arx · #9 02-09-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

On ANY fretted/fretless hybrid, there needs to be a raised section of fingerboard for the fretless part . . .

I would think it would still work, you would just have a significant jump in the intonation at the last fret which you would have to correct for, and your action would be quite high. It might suck enough not to be worth it.

My advice would be to see if you can figure out what's causing the buzz is first. You might not need a full refret. Maybe just an adjustment.

-Nick

bigbass94 · #10 02-09-2008, 10:07 AM

Yeah, the hole super high action aint very appealing. I'm gonna get a lot of flak from those jacoey player, but I dont play below the 12th fret almost ever, so maybey I can get by.

Also, even if I did ajust the truss rod (it's bowed just a wee bit) it wouldn't make much of a differnce.

Arx · #11 02-09-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbass94

Yeah, the hole super high action aint very appealing. I'm gonna get a lot of flak from those jacoey player, but I dont play below the 12th fret almost ever, so maybey I can get by.

Also, even if I did ajust the truss rod (it's bowed just a wee bit) it wouldn't make much of a differnce.

Yeah, maybe truss rod and shim the neck angle?

Though if I were in your situation I'd probably defret it carefully. It's not like it's completely permanent. If you don't widen the slots or anything you could probably remove the filler and re-fret if it turns out badly.

It's probably not the smartest idea, but it would be fun to try.

Another possibility might be to glue on a veneer to bring the top of the fingerboard up near fret height. Might look funny, but it should work.

deaf pea · #12 02-09-2008, 03:42 PM

something about "a picture saying 1000 words" . . . or something . . .

photoshopgeek · #13 02-09-2008, 03:54 PM

I'd never even heard of a hybrid. Sweet!

nemo · #14 02-09-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoshopgeek

I'd never even heard of a hybrid. Sweet!

http://www.bddey.com/kytary/7str_bass/index.htm

trb6pJM2 · #15 02-09-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

Here is a link - I've played one of these, and they are incredible!

http://www.brownsguitarfactory.com

I met him at the factory today.

freakin amazing basses, the physical balance is completely unrivaled, great for seated playing.