I plan on getting back to this six string soon. Just finished a short scale four and presently working on an 8-string custom and a five string fretless. Some old projects I need to get out of the way first.
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6 string Fretless with Ebony Neck
- Thread starter Slidlow
- Start date
Thank you for the link Robin, excellent stuff.
Where are you t with the current Five string fretless? Has it been commissioned or is it personal?
Where are you t with the current Five string fretless? Has it been commissioned or is it personal?
I think you are referring to the teak five string which I finished and put in the classifieds. UPDATE: I sold that teak bass recently so it is not available in the classified section anymore.
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Got a little time this morning. Cut out some arrowhead markers for the side of the neck. I previously installed the dots and needed to get these in before shaping the back of the neck.
![IMG_7098[1].JPG](https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_7098-1-jpg.4131574/ "IMG_7098[1].JPG")
![IMG_7099[1].JPG](https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_7099-1-jpg.4131575/ "IMG_7099[1].JPG")
Carefully by hand
! I usually start with a hole drilled that fits inside the profile and then open out to the corners with a fine knife. Normally I don't cut individual pieces like this and make a long bar that can be inserted and cut flush. I couldn't find glow material so had to cut these down from dot markers. Cut two from each dot.
Here is the 12th fret marker next to one of the arrowheads. This has a small sliver of ebony glued in between. I did that by cutting a slot in the dot and gluing in the ebony. Then trimmed and cut/filed the dot to the triangle shape. That's a quarter in the picture for size reference.
I think this will look okay once inlaid.
Once the arrowheads are cut I mount them to a board with double side tape so I can spray the bottom and sides with white. The dot inlays these were cut from had white in the sides and back.
I cut in one of the arrowheads and charged it up for a few minutes to see how they will look with the dots.
That's the 21st fret position. Nine more to inlay.
I haven't gotten to check that out yet. When I get them all in I'll put it in the light properly to charge and then time it.
The dots and arrows have been my go-to for fretless since this four built in 1985. Those are bone as were others over the years. I thought I would try luminescent this time around.
I'll have a go at the 12th fret marker. First shade the area with pencil.
The drill a small hole in the center.
Using an x-acto knife, chisel out the corners checking with the marker as I go for fit. Need to be careful and take my time here. Press in the marker and flood with CA glue.
File flush and viola!
Once the neck is rounded the bottom edge will blend in properly. Now I need to finish the other 8 arrowheads.
Almost there. four more arrowheads to go and then I can start slabbing wood off the back of the neck and attach the body wings.
Oh happy day! Finally have the side markers in.
As luck would have it a had a few spare hours this morning. Decided to get a start at the neck carve beginning with the heel. Template in hand and some guide lines chalked on and away we go.
I'm using this knife believe it or not. Sure there are faster ways but I won't be able to replace this ebony so the slow way it is. It relaxes me anyway.
I'm using this knife believe it or not. Sure there are faster ways but I won't be able to replace this ebony so the slow way it is. It relaxes me anyway.
But...but...if you bandsawed off sections to do a facet carve, you could salvage a whole bunch of ebony! 
Yes but this is the heel carveBut...but...if you bandsawed off sections to do a facet carve, you could salvage a whole bunch of ebony!
. I am planning to bandsaw off the straight section
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