Changing a finger board?

[tomshepp]

I have a fretless PBass that has an epoxy finish on a thin rosewood board. Is it possible/practical to remove the rosewood and put on a thicker ebony board? I really like this neck and wouldn't want to just change it out. Thanks for any help.
Tom

 

[SDB Guitars]

It *can* be done... you might try steaming it off, or heating it up with a clothes iron or heating blanket (the silicone kind, *not* the kind you sleep under in the Winter). If that doesn't work, you could shave it off with a plane.

However, you will risk damaging the finish in any case. I'd *definitely* mask off the maple portion of the neck, and run an exacto-knife down the length where the maple meets the rosewood.

 

[tomshepp]

I appreciate your help. This is a great bass that I know will be even better if I see my ideas through. When I get the time and $, I'll be sure to post the results. Many thanks,
Tom

 

[LowBSix]

You're better off to change out the neck...
The heat may cause damage...

 

[tomshepp]

You're better off to change out the neck...
The heat may cause damage...

If there's a good chance of that happening, I may just leave it as is.

Any problems with shaving it off with a plane? Other than the obvious need to be careful and not go too far?

 

[LowBSix]

Shaving sounds safer, but why not save the entire neck and fingerboard and just get an alternate one???

 

[SDB Guitars]

You're better off to change out the neck...
The heat may cause damage...

Heat is the generally accepted means of removing damaged fingerboards. The heat softens the glue, and then you gently separate the board with a putty knife

 

[tomshepp]

This bass is a 1970 Precision. I bought it many years ago. The original finish was gone and it was routed for a jazz pup. I put boat epoxy on the board when I got it and did a good job with that. Lately, I changed from Roto rounds to Tomastic flats. So as I think about restoring the bass with a new finish, among other things, I think the neck would be better with a nice thick slab of ebony. I know that upright luthiers have done this kind of thing before. My idea of making an ultimate fretless. Just for reference, I'll include a family pic. It's the one on the left.

 

[scottyd]

You're better off to change out the neck...
The heat may cause damage...

Wow, I wish someone would have told me that before I successfully repaired a dozen or so necks using the heat method.........

Heating a neck is a common procedure used to remove a fingerboard.