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Cheapest fretless fingerboard? (Bored holidays project)

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by CanadaMan, Dec 21, 2008.

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  1. Dec 21, 2008 #1
    CanadaMan

    CanadaMan Guest

    Mar 14, 2007
    Winnipeg, Canada
    Following up on the Plywood thread, I wonder just how cheap one can build a bass, so as a little progress over the 2 weeks of holidays my school has so graciously allotted me, I've decided to give it a try. The problem I have is, what's the cheapest fingerboard wood for a fretless? The body will probably be something domestic, or just plywood, and the neck will be maple but what of the fretboard? I'll post a build thread once I begin, but I need your help folks!

    Thanks guys!
    -CM
     
  2. Dec 21, 2008 #2
    BassBilodeau

    BassBilodeau Guest

    Apr 2, 2007
    Sherbrooke, Qc, Canada
    Builder of Bilodeau Basses
    I made a fretless 6 strings with a cocobolo fingerboard. They cost around 13$ and they are already prepared (1/4" thick, quartersaw, planned smooth). You can also go with: Morado (Pau ferro), Indian rosewood or bloodwood. I also tried maple once but I recommend flatwound strings. I buy them at Luthier Mercantile International (www.lmii.com).

    Good luck!
     
  3. Dec 21, 2008 #3
    Rodent

    Rodent A Killer Pickup Line™ Commercial User

    Dec 20, 2004
    Upper Left Corner (Seattle)
    Player-Builder-Founder: Honey Badger Pickups & Regenerate Guitar Works
  4. Dec 21, 2008 #4
    CanadaMan

    CanadaMan Guest

    Mar 14, 2007
    Winnipeg, Canada
    Thanks guys, does anyone know someone in Canada like this? International Shipping for a 13 dollar piece of wood seems a bit overkill, especially in the spirit of this project. OR I suppose I could scrounge local woodyards.
     
  5. Dec 21, 2008 #5
    T2W

    T2W Guest

    Feb 24, 2007
    Montreal, Canada.
    If you're interested, I can tell ya Merry Christmas and ship out a Pau Ferro board tomorrow morning, now why do this to a complete stranger? yep, why the hell not. PM me if you're in.
     
  6. Dec 21, 2008 #6
    lposavad

    lposavad

    Jun 23, 2004
    SF Bay Area, California
    Why not a maple fingerboard? Fender made some fretless P's years ago with a maple board that just killed. Plus, maple is a lot cheaper than most tropical hardwoods...
     
  7. Dec 21, 2008 #7
    CanadaMan

    CanadaMan Guest

    Mar 14, 2007
    Winnipeg, Canada
    T2W, you have PM, that'd be awesome :)
    lposavad, if I don't find anything else, that's the way I will be going.
     
  8. Dec 21, 2008 #8
    groooooove

    groooooove Supporting Member

    Dec 17, 2008
    Long Island, NY
    my old wishbass had a Pau ferro board, i played it a lot and always used rounds. no complaints.
     
  9. Dec 21, 2008 #9
    tjclem

    tjclem Commercial User

    Jun 6, 2004
    Central Florida
    Owner and builder Clementbass
    A flooring place might have a scrap piece of IPE not much is going to beat that for durability.......t
     
  10. Dec 21, 2008 #10
    BenitoBassolini

    BenitoBassolini Guest

    Jun 8, 2008
    Spokane, WA
    Merry Christmas T2M!
     
  11. Dec 21, 2008 #11
    LongHairFreak

    LongHairFreak Insert cool nickname? Nobody's given me one yet. Supporting Member

    Aug 7, 2006
    Twin Cities - MN
    T2W12-21-2008, 01:45 PM
    If you're interested, I can tell ya Merry Christmas and ship out a Pau Ferro board tomorrow morning, now why do this to a complete stranger? yep, why the hell not. PM me if you're in.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Man... Sometimes the grace and goodwill in this place is just too cool!!!
     
  12. Dec 21, 2008 #12
    Turnaround

    Turnaround Commercial User

    May 6, 2004
    Toronto Canada
    Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
    Something just went "ping!" - in the nicest possible way of course.
     
  13. Dec 22, 2008 #13
    T2W

    T2W Guest

    Feb 24, 2007
    Montreal, Canada.
    Here's a good laugh for you all, I actually took a picture of the lady at the post office !!

    Picture043.jpg

    And here is your board Alex, I shipped it out express so it should be there on the 24th, that's what the lovely lady in the photo told me. And don't worry it's not cod, hehehe. Happy Holidays everyone !!!!

    Picture042.jpg
     
  14. Dec 22, 2008 #14
    CanadaMan

    CanadaMan Guest

    Mar 14, 2007
    Winnipeg, Canada
    Thanks so much man!

    By the way, love the picture of the lady and my home address :p I'll definitely let you know when it gets here and I get started :)
     
  15. Dec 22, 2008 #15
    BassBilodeau

    BassBilodeau Guest

    Apr 2, 2007
    Sherbrooke, Qc, Canada
    Builder of Bilodeau Basses
    HA HA! she looks like the "usual" standard Canada Post employee.

    Morado will be great.

    Maple is OK for a fretted instrument, but round wound strings on a fretless bass is not the best match. Maple fingerboard would dent easily.
     
  16. Dec 22, 2008 #16
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    This thread is one of my favorite reads since the dude that bought the girl the Ibanez Mikro. Way to go T2W!
     
  17. Dec 22, 2008 #17
    T2W

    T2W Guest

    Feb 24, 2007
    Montreal, Canada.
    I figured Id leve the address on the pic in case anyone else wants to send you some goodies, haha, also cuz im lazy and dont wanna figure out how to take it off in paint or something.

    Even my own life was given to me, so I figure sharing is the way to go !!
     
  18. Dec 22, 2008 #18
    CanadaMan

    CanadaMan Guest

    Mar 14, 2007
    Winnipeg, Canada
    He even shipped it express :) I can't wait now, I'm itching to get this project started already. I need to pickup a pickup and some tuners though and then this thing will get underway.

    I'm gonna get mailed some Anthrax now, y'know, and then that good board will go to waste :p It's all good, I'm sure the good folks of TB won't think anything of it anyhow.

    Thanks again, and since I haven't mentioned it yet, happy holidays to everyone this year and be safe. :)
    -CM
     
  19. Dec 22, 2008 #19
    jordan_frerichs

    jordan_frerichs

    Jan 20, 2008
    Nebraska
    wait... so that was free?
     
  20. Dec 22, 2008 #20
    T2W

    T2W Guest

    Feb 24, 2007
    Montreal, Canada.
    completely
     
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