defretting a kramer

[jmorbita]

Hi... i want to let you know that i did a search, and still have a specific question to ask...
I have this kramer forum III bass, thinking about taking the frets off... the thing is the rosewood fingerboard has a white lining on the sides, so that you can't see the slot where the fret is inserted as you can on the jazz or other neckboards i've seen as examples for defretting. So i suppose it must be harder to get the frets off, and on top of that the fret are a bit worn out and they are very low... I wish i had pictures, i'll try to get a camera and post some pictures... i'm afraid that trying to take off the frets i'll make a huge damage to the finish of the neck...
You might compare the fretboard to that of a gibson les paul as opposed to the fender stratocaster... (haven't seen other basses finished like my kramer)
Any comments? thanks!

 

[spudmaster34]

that "linning on the sides is called binding. I;ve never tried to defret a bound neck before but i suppose you will have to remove the binding to expose the fret tangs. But that is just my guess

 

[jmorbita]

Thanks man... but i wouldn't dare remove the binding, the finish on the neck goes over the binding too, and it seems to be really well glued and finished, like trying to remove the binding might harm the neck wood...

 

[rdhbass]

I don't know much about binding, but if the binding is over the ends of the frets it will probably be difficult. then you have to resand the fretboard when you defret it to level it making sure you dont mess up the binding. sounds like i would just leave it alone. There are ways to get your frets out easily. I got a cheap pair of "nippers" and ground the face of them flat. This way it grabs under the frets. This makes the ultimate defretting tool.

 

[spudmaster34]

assuming you want a linned fretless, you could just grind them even with the face of the board. its an accepted technique and would be easier than removing the binding

 

[gfried84]

the ends of the frets should stop at the binding so you should be able to just pull em up as usual. Usually the ends of the fret tangs are nipped so the crown still over laps the binding.

 

[spudmaster34]

i found this http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122022&highlight=metal+fret+lines

i also specifically recall someone talking about a neck they found where it had been defretted in that manner

sorry i cant be much more help than that

 

[jmorbita]

the ends of the frets should stop at the binding so you should be able to just pull em up as usual. Usually the ends of the fret tangs are nipped so the crown still over laps the binding.

Yes, it does look that way. I'm trying to figure out what would be less harmful to the neck, wether to pull the frets out or try to grind them... i do want a lined fretless... anybody tried grinding the frets before? i wonder wether the metal in the neck affects the sound... thanks for the advice!

 

[spudmaster34]

ok, just found this, it looks fretted but the thing says fretless

taken from the website
BM2501 Pedulla Buzz fretless bass, 1980s, NM with papers, curly maple neck and body, natural finish, formerly owned by Mark O'Connor and used on the CDs Elysian Forest, Stone From Which the Arch Was Made and Johnny Appleseed, OHC......$3500. Photo with O'Connor. Link Removed

 

[nateo]

I've pulled frets on a number of bound basses and I've never had any problem. The mechanics of it is exactly the same as when you're pulling them on an unbound bass, except life is a bit easier because the tang is generally cut back on the ends (to allow the fret to overlap the binding) so you've got a bit more room to slip a knife under the fret on the ends.

The only tricky bit will be filling the slots again, since you'll have to cut your filler strips to length before inserting them. If you're the kind of guy who uses putty / died epoxy / wood dust + CA / etc then it might actually make life easier since your fill won't run out the ends of the slot.

As for grinding the frets down, I've heard of it plenty but I wouldn't be comfortable enough tackling it without a heck of a grinding jig. A radius block would take a long time and I wouldn't want to risk gouging the wood with a hand held grinder. But that's just me. You gotta do what you gotta do.

-Nate

 

[jmorbita]

As for grinding the frets down, I've heard of it plenty but I wouldn't be comfortable enough tackling it without a heck of a grinding jig. A radius block would take a long time and I wouldn't want to risk gouging the wood with a hand held grinder. But that's just me. You gotta do what you gotta do.

-Nate

Yes, i felt the same way about grinding them...
thanks for all the advice guys... i'll try to make up my mind.