Defret or New Neck? (Warmoth Question)

[ojo]

I recently bought a used fretted bass with the intention of making it fretless. It's a Warmoth build, Swamp Ash Dinky Jazz body, Maple neck ('51 style) with maple fretboard.

Here's my question. Should I defret this one, OR buy a lined fretless neck from Warmoth with an Ebony fretboard?

I've scanned some other TB posts, and it's not clear to me if there's a tonal advantage (read: less aggressive) to ebony vs maple fingerboard.

So, I reach out for opinions.

Whaddaya think?

Thanks.

 

[Bass Viking]

I would get the fretless ebony neck from Warmoth. Ebony will stand up better to string wear than maple. Also, you can switch back to the fretted neck later on if you wish.

 

[NortyFiner]

I would get the fretless ebony neck from Warmoth. Ebony will stand up better to string wear than maple. Also, you can switch back to the fretted neck later on if you wish.

I second this motion. People seem to go through phases about fretless basses; buying the fretless neck and keeping the fretted neck gives you the option of switching back.

 

[Klopitbass]

agreed keep your option
in addition if u screw up during the defretting you're going to have 2 get a
new neck regardless

 

[ojo]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate it.

I bought this bass specifically to make it fretless (wanted an active fretless to compliment my passive fretless), but just wasn't sure how to get there. I've always wanted an ebony fretboard aaaannnnndddd I'm gonna use rounds on it, so buying a replacement neck is probably the wisest option. Guess it's time to call Warmoth!

So, anyone got a rough idea on what it's gonna cost? Also, is there anything I should expect to encounter with switching necks?

Thanks.

 

[Bass Viking]

So, anyone got a rough idea on what it's gonna cost? Also, is there anything I should expect to encounter with switching necks?

Check the Warmoth showcase. If they have one on there it will be cheaper than having it built.

You will probably want to put a shim in the neck pocket so you can get the action low enough to growl.

 

[Bass Viking]

So, anyone got a rough idea on what it's gonna cost?

There are some fretless necks at the bottom of this page and some on page 2.
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The maple/ebony ones are $310. There is also a goncalo alves/ebony neck on page 2 for $305 and it doesn't require a finish. I had a goncalo warmoth neck though, and I found it didn't respond that well to truss rod adjustments. Not sure why, maybe it's a really hard wood? I had a fretless maple/ebony neck and it was great.

 

[ojo]

Thanks for the info. I looked at Warmoth after I posted and found a couple of necks that I liked. I swear there were no lined fretless necks in the gallery when I looked a couple of weeks ago, and that's why I asked about pricing.

I'm still leaning towards the Ebony, but that Goncalo is pretty nice looking though . . .

*sigh* Sadly, it took me a couple of mins to decipher the what the heck BML was.

 

[Bass Viking]

I'm still leaning towards the Ebony, but that Goncalo is pretty nice looking though . . .

That Goncalo Alves neck has an ebony board too. The one I owned felt nice. It had kind of a waxy feel to it, not in an unpleasant way either.

I love ebony for a fingerboard wood. I have a wenge/ebony neck and a bubinga/ebony neck (both fretted) and I love them. If I were to get a fretless neck I would seriously consider either of those woods.