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First Defretting

X

xlerz16

Mar 31, 2019
7
1
#1
Hey everybody!

I have recently defretted my Vintage Modified Jazz Bass
(This model here --> Invalid Link Removed)

I did a pretty decent job I would say, however, there is a little bit of chipping and now I have to fill in the frets.
What would you guys recommend to fill in the frets and aid the little fraction of a chip? Also do you feel a finish is necessary or could I just slap some fretboard oil on it and call it a day? (I will be using flatwounds)
Thanks for all the help!
 
#2
Do not use wood putty.

Now that that's out of the way.
You can use maple wood veneers.
Or even styrene plastic.
Both can be acquired at your local model train hobby shop.

As for any fingerboard chipping,when you fill the slots use crazy glue.
Carefully fill in the chipped areas.
When you trim the excess veneer material off you will need to sand the board smooth.
This will make the chips repairs invisible.
 
#9
xlerz16 said:
Also what should the width of the veneer I use be? And could you provide me with a link to purchase?
Click to expand...
That depends on the width of the slot of your bass.
A feeler guage should give you a general thickness.

I did not use the internet to buy the veneers when I defretted a bass back in 2010.
I went to a local model train hobby shop.
I used to collect model trains.
So I knew they would have maple and styrene veneers.

There is an old thread that I was on that had a list of things you need to do a good defret.
I'll have to take the time to dig it up.
 
#10
Watchootognbout said:
That depends on the width of the slot of your bass.
A feeler guage should give you a general thickness.

I did not use the internet to buy the veneers when I defretted a bass back in 2010.
I went to a local model train hobby shop.
I used to collect model trains.
So I knew they would have maple and styrene veneers.

There is an old thread that I was on that had a list of things you need to do a good defret.
I'll have to take the time to dig it up.
Click to expand...

Do you think this would be a good thickness?
Invalid Link Removed
 
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#11
My old #1 went 30 years with wood filler a CA wipe down finish and roundwounds. I have no idea what brand was used, but it never sprouted much either. It really needs a leveling and it my comeback out of retirment.
This is not an endorsement of one way or another. My other lined basses all have filler strips.
 
#12
Tools needed to defret a bass
1.A pair of end nippers.With the nipping face ground flat so that they can get under the fret.
2.A soldering iron.
3.A Three foot level.
4.A Hobby Razor Saw.
5.An 8"Radius Sanding Block(you will need to know the radius of you fretboard)
6.Various grades of sandpaper.

You can start here.
Your choice of what you want to fill the fret slots.I chose styrene plastic strips..062 as I remember.
7.Crazy Glue.
8.An Exacto knife.
9.You will need to deepen the nut slots.Personally I sanded the bottom of the nut to lower the slot height.
10.Howards Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish and Conditioner.And a polish cloth.
No power tools.

Or you can get the bass and have a luthier do this.
 

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