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Fretless Epoxy Help?

Junior Shark

Junior Shark

Guest
Nov 7, 2013
85
20
Colorado
#1
So I've got a new fretless bass, and I'm looking into coating the fretboard with epoxy, à la Jaco. I'm a little hesitant about doing it myself, but I'm still considering that option.

If anyone could me in a good direction to go for this, à la HG Thor, the help would be much appreciated.

If any of you Colorado bassists have had this done locally, please please give me the details! I'm in the Springs, so hopefully I can get it done somewhere on the Front Range.

Or, if anyone has some reassurance on the DIY approach, reassure on!

Your help is appreciated, and thanks!
 
#3
I had my Jaco Jazz signature bass epoxy'd with HG Thor. He did an amazing job and I've been very happy with the results. I wouldn't do it myself. I don't mind doing most things but I wouldn't attempt to do that. There's no way I would get as good a finish as Harris!

Davo
 
#13
:cool:

I regards to HG Thor. I've heard his wait is now 3-4 years.
I'm waiting for my second bass for HG to do.
Got about 6 months to go. It's a crazy long time. But the end result is worth it. His work is amazing.
 
#14
Junior Shark said:
Ya, I've already checked out HG Thor. I'm sure he does a stellar job, but I'm not really into waiting for 4 years just to have my fingerboard epoxied! Is there anything else like HG Thor, but without the 4-year wait?
Click to expand...

You can cut the line if you have the cash. My Jaco artist was allegedly done by him but I bought the bass secondhand so I suppose anybody could have really done it.

There is a local guy in my region who builds guitars, I hear he has done epoxy jobs for people. I am sure there has to be somebody somewhat close that will do it for you.
 
#15
I had a local guitar repair shop do it and they did a great job. I was having some other work done and just asked if they knew anything about coating the fingerboard of a fretless. I would never do this myself unless I wanted to ruin my bass's finger board and neck.
 
#18
DiabolusInMusic said:
There is a local guy in my region who builds guitars, I hear he has done epoxy jobs for people. I am sure there has to be somebody somewhat close that will do it for you.
Click to expand...


There's not much of that around here in good ol' Colorado, I'm afraid. I've been running around looking for a guitar & bass repair shop, but there ain't too much other than GC. Unless another Coloradan knows otherwise....
 
#19
Junior Shark said:
Ya I had already looked into that guy. Seems pretty legit. I've been emailing him, and he says he won't be doing any epoxy jobs until spring though. Bummer. But spring's almost here..... ;)
Click to expand...

ehhh... if you search the forums here you'll find a thread (I think it was called BUZZARD BASS - BAD NEWS) where quite a few people complained that he's basically a psychopath, and then he joined in and proved it.

Anyways, there are plenty of guides online as to how to epoxy-coat your fretboard. If you really can't find someone nearby to do it, or someone online with a waitlist of less than six months, you may want to buy a scrap neck from CL or the nearest trash pawn shop. It could be a fun learning experience! Plus, you'll have a very valuable skill under your belt. If it doesn't work out, then go ahead and send it off to someone else.
 
#20
Junior Shark said:
There's not much of that around here in good ol' Colorado, I'm afraid. I've been running around looking for a guitar & bass repair shop, but there ain't too much other than GC. Unless another Coloradan knows otherwise....
Click to expand...

Don't look in the phonebook for repair shops, ask around. The couple guys I know of in my region all are not listed and all but one work out of their basement. If there are any manufacturers in your area try contacting them. I was referred to a guy for tech work by the guys at Fury guitars.
 

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