Here's a Q for the 'luths'

[jesusfreek8489]

Can a factory made fretless bass be modified to be a lined fretless bass? As I saw on a video a while back the process is similar to fretting a guitar... just wanted to know if this is correct.

[dmusic148]

Yes, easily.

[Rodent]

sure, it can be done - but 'easily'? I guess that's a pretty subjective word

easily = yes if you have access to a gang slotter like many custom parts builders utilize (i.e. Warmoth, USACG, etc ...)

easily = no if you have a couple of poorly tuned hand tools and no woodworking skills to accommodate them


if you're asking the question, I'd recommend you seek the hands-on opinion of a skilled luthier who has extensive experience performing this task. I would seriously recommend avoiding your local GC hack who struggles performing a basic intonation job

all the best,

R

[vbasscustom]

well, if you buy a fret saw and a template you should be alright, but read everything thing you can find about fretting before even touching the saw to the board, and practice on another scrap board first

[ewimsatt]

Originally Posted by Rodent

I would seriously recommend avoiding your local GC hack who struggles performing a basic intonation job

R

I am the resident hack at the GC in Boston with 10 years of building experience and did 3 years in the Gibson Custom Shop and the Bluegrass Division building their banjos and mandolins. There are good repairmen and bad repairmen in all areas. You shouldn't generalize the skills of a person based on where they work, but rather the work they do.

Eric

[Rodent]

I would seriously recommend avoiding your local GC hack who struggles performing a basic intonation job

ahhh - if you were to have read carefully, you'd see that I already did

R

[jesusfreek8489]

All right, guys... don't argue, people's skills are based on how well they do their tasks. There is all kinds of people everywhere in the world.
I know people who call themselves "luthiers" and don't know what a dual-truss road is.

Now as for my question, I am not planning on doing this I am planning to go through the process with an experienced luthier. Thanks for your replies.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by jesusfreek8489

I know people who call themselves "luthiers" and don't know what a dual-truss road is.

OK, I'll play. What is a dual-truss road?

[Stealth]

I guess that's a road that's "Living with a hernia" and wearing two trusses...

(with apologies to James Brown and Weird Al)