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Fretless bass conversion done-page 4
- Thread starter spwath
- Start date
Yes
No. You can use any kind of string you want. IMO, roundwounds sound much better
1. Remove frets
2. ???
3. profit!
OK, thanks.
Is it hard to do a fretless conversion?
If so, I could just get this neck, if its any good.
https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mite-...&qid=1476835110&sr=8-2&keywords=fretless+neck
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If it fits your body and tuners, you can simply swap the neck in then do a setup.
Just make sure you get a neck the same scale length as the one you are replacing.
Swapping a fretted Fender type neck for a fretless Fender type neck is pretty straight forward. If the tuner holes are the same, you can swap those over from the fretted neck too.
You might prefer a different string on your fretless, but its not required.
Swapping a fretted Fender type neck for a fretless Fender type neck is pretty straight forward. If the tuner holes are the same, you can swap those over from the fretted neck too.
You might prefer a different string on your fretless, but its not required.
I meant is it hard to use the same neck, removing the frets.
Ok, great thanks. Same scale would be important...
I might do it.
Legend has it that Jaco ripped his frets out with a butter knife. You should take more care than that. You should also probably take the time to fill in the resulting slots with wood or plastic.
Ill probably just get a new neck. Seems easier.
Though IDK, I like a good DIY project...
For years I've read magazine articles on how to defret a bass.
And I've had four of my past basses defretted by pros.
I'm confident that I can defret a bass.
I did it to my Tune TWB63 bass back in 2010.
This is the bass.
The past basses had styrene plastic used as a fret slot filler.So I followed suit.
Excellent job for a first timer!
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
This is like the first time you did your own brake job and you said"I pay a mechanic for this?"
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.
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.
And I've had four of my past basses defretted by pros.
I'm confident that I can defret a bass.
I did it to my Tune TWB63 bass back in 2010.
This is the bass.
Excellent job for a first timer!
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
This is like the first time you did your own brake job and you said"I pay a mechanic for this?"
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.
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.
I might ty it, doesnt seem too had, I have most of the tools already.
How much would it cost fo somone to do it?
Much of the difficulty is in removing the old frets without tearing chunks out of the board. Hence the soldering iron, and lots of patience. I did it once on a beater neck for a friend, when I was a foolish amateur, probably took out chunks of the fretboard on a good 1/3 of the frets. Got an ugly but functional result even though I didn't put half the preparation or care into it as I should have. Paying a pro guarantees it will look clean if you are not comfortable and patient. Probably gonna cost at least $100 to have it done pro. Comes down to your handyness, willingless to learn, and value of your time.
If you find a guide that uses a clothing iron and nail clippers, you're on the right track.
Otherwise I could walk you through it pretty easily.
Turnaround
Commercial User
If you plan on doing the defret yourself you should check out this thread:
xhttps://www.talkbass.com/threads/defretting.71144/
xhttps://www.talkbass.com/threads/defretting.71144/
Last edited:
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Exactly. At least with the new neck, if you don't take to fretless then you can just swap the necks back, sell the fretless neck and at worst you're only out around $50.
If you pay someone to do it you're out at least $100 (if not more to get a really good job).
If you do it yourself and take chips out of the fretboard you've devalued your bass considerably and may find it hard to sell down the track.
I recommend buying a new neck. And Mighty Mite necks are good. I am WELL past 17, and I buy MM necks for my project builds. They're very nice, especially for the money. And you'll have the old neck in case you want to go back.
