Convert Fretless to Fretted?

[bearhart74]

We have seen it done the other way around but...
Possible?
Difficult?
What say you experts?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Not really difficult at all, as long as you have the tools and setup to cut the slots accurately. You need some type of slotting saw guide rig, with an accurate indexing scale. There's the Stew-Mac jig, and many Luthiers have built their own variants of it. There are different approaches. Once you have the slots cut, then it's just a normal fret job. Plus a new taller nut.

 

[I-Am-The-Slime]

Not really difficult at all, as long as you have the tools and setup to cut the slots accurately. You need some type of slotting saw guide rig, with an accurate indexing scale. There's the Stew-Mac jig, and many Luthiers have built their own variants of it. There are different approaches. Once you have the slots cut, then it's just a normal fret job. Plus a new taller nut.

Assuming the board is already/still attached to the neck, I don't think the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or the like will not get the job done. A neckthrough makes it even more challenging. I don't see how to do it without freehand sawing unless you build an exorbitant custom jig. Maybe I'm missing something? Do you have any advice for how that would best be done?

 

[Oscar Stern]

Actually the very 1st Bass from 1935 was a Fretless Bass (invented by Paul Tutmark) & 5 years later they were all converted into Fretted Basses.