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easy fretless conversion idea

A

Atef

Sep 5, 2002
328
0
40
Groningen, The Netherlands
#1
this Idea popped up in my head:

wouldn't it be possible to construct something that you could attach something thinto the fretboard which would cover the fretboard to the heigt of the frets(and very thin pieces over the frets
if thus was a normal fretted fretboard

__.__.__.__

it would become like this:

<strike>__.__.__.__</strike>
 
#3
+1

There was a company who made a device that would convert a fretted to a fretless. I saw it at a guitar show a few years back. But, I don't remember the name or the website address.

You may want to try doing a web search on something like " fretless conversion" and see what gets pulled in.
 
#4
When I saw Victor Bailey with Steps Ahead some years ago, he had a detachable board that was magnetic on the back that he slid onto/over the fingerboard of his fretted bass. I think I asked him about that once before in a letter. I'll have to see if I can find it and what he told me about that contraption. But yes, it has been done, albeit infrequently. Mustn't work all that well or I'm sure it would be done more regularly.
 
#5
Not exactly what you're describing, but...
I used to have a 1979 Musicman Sabre that had a conversion kindof like that. It had Novatone "switchboards"--basically the original fretboard was taken out, a thin metal strip was placed on the neck, and magnetized "boards" (one fretted, three fretless) could be switched without changing strings. I probably have some old pictures if you're curious. Some basses with the modification seemed to have neck problems, due to losing the fingerboard wood I'm guessing but since the Sabre had a thick neck, it was fine.

Your idea, if it could be executed, wouldn't weaken the neck. I wonder about the action issue.

Steinberger also once tried a prototype bass where the frets could be "dialed" up or down.

Marshall

[Edit : Just saw Copycat's post...Victor Bailey's bass had the same Novatone system I'm describing above.]
 
#7
there is such a thing, an steinberger prototype that had a big knob on the top of the neck (streinbergers are headless basses for those who dont know it). so if you roll that knob in one way it would raise the frets and in the other way it lowered the frets. I thought it was useful 'till I saw some gaps near the corners of the frets so it looked like a cheap fretless fret board
 
#8
I had a really farfetched conversion idea once.

Yank the frets out of your bass, and put little slices of sponge (your choice of color) in the empty slots. Laquer the fretboard, and the sponge will soak up the lacquer and harden. Now you have a fretless with convenient fretlines.

Hehe, there are probably tons of problems with this. I think I came up with this when I was half way asleep. ;)
 
#9
Marshall, cool Hondo. I bought one of those new in the early 80s, same finish as yours. I always loved that shape but it was tuff to find a Dano then. I sold it a few years back to a friend and still see it every once in a while(last night actually). Got a few Jerry Jones Longhorns now.
 
#10
yeah...well what I've heard isn't exactly what I was thinking about..I was more thinking about maybe a very thin sort of thing..hardwood or some artificial material with ok tone which should be able to be applied to all necks(or maybe different for precision/jazz necks)(I'm talking 4 string here) and secured with straps round the nek

it should also cover the frets really thin

the action us a problem though...maybe it would work from 3rd fret on or something
otherwise a nut/bridge with 2 easy to switch positions might be feasible

and it shouldn't be too costly...otherwise someone would just buy a fretless bass
 
#11
iamthebassman said:
Marshall, cool Hondo. I bought one of those new in the early 80s, same finish as yours. I always loved that shape but it was tuff to find a Dano then. I sold it a few years back to a friend and still see it every once in a while(last night actually). Got a few Jerry Jones Longhorns now.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Good eye! I am quite happy with the Hondo, it's a great sounding bass, I like the finish and the shape is cool. Those Jerry Jones Longhorns are very nice...and much lighter!

Marshall
 

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