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Fretless Thunderbird Project

stiles72

stiles72

Mar 20, 2009
2,675
166
Albany IL
#1
Not that I need any more projects this winter than I already have, but this will be a relatively simple one in comparison. I'm planning on making a fretless Thunderbird out of an Epiphone body. I wrestled with finding a Gibson with a broken headtock or in need of some TLC, but in the end figured I'll play it safe on the check book and go with the Epi. I'm looking at either using a Goth or the Nikki Sixx because they have the Mahogany bodies, so I'll have some decent lumber to start with. Eventually I can mod it out from there but for now I'm just looking at doing a defret job.

The Goth doesn't have fingerboard inlays other than the "XII", so it might lend itself better to being fretless - but I wonder how the Iron Crosses of the Nikki would hold up being fretless? Reason I ask is because on my regular Gibson Blackbird, I can feel a couple of the crosses starting to loosen up. I'm wondering if flatwounds making contact with the cross inlays on the Epi will either cause them to come out, or actually work to keep them pushed back in?

Thoughts?
 
#2
Inlays generally aren't a good thing on a fretless. I had my name inlaid on a bass and under a polyester finish. Even though it's smooth to the touch, the inlay comes in contact. Fortunately, it's not in an area where I frequently play. As long as the inlays aren't directly under the strings, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Depending on your goals, the technique necessary on a bass like a T-Bird perhaps doesn't lend itself well to a fretless bass. The grip on the neck simply doesn't allow for much vibrato.
 
#3
Thats what I was thinking about - the Iron crosses would surely come in contact with the strings. The XII on the Goth would only be at the 12th fret - which that inlay could probably even be removed, so that might be the better choice.
 
#5
i think a fretless epi goth would be sweet. i picked up a used goth for 170 bucks back in june. the action can go down to credit card level without any fret buzz-> a very true neck, good solid tone. i pushed the pups down low and the notes became very articulate. the neck seems thicker at the nut than my gibson and the fretboard has very dense rosewood. GC alway has a bunch for sale used on their site. I've seen "new-looking" ones for 150. maybe put some black or red tape wounds on it? i would nix the fretlines and fill them in dark, takes away from the look, IMHO. Top marker dots and your ears are all you need.
 
#6
gaffster787 said:
i think a fretless epi goth would be sweet. i picked up a used goth for 170 bucks back in june. the action can go down to credit card level without any fret buzz-> a very true neck, good solid tone. i pushed the pups down low and the notes became very articulate. the neck seems thicker at the nut than my gibson and the fretboard has very dense rosewood. GC alway has a bunch for sale used on their site. I've seen "new-looking" ones for 150. maybe put some black or red tape wounds on it? i would nix the fretlines and fill them in dark, takes away from the look, IMHO. Top marker dots and your ears are all you need.
Click to expand...

Yuppp - I was thinking black tapes and filling the fretboard dark ;) Later on if I decided to drop more $ into the project I might upgrade the pickguard, TRC, knobs, and pups. Maybe drop in some Gibsons or Mike Lulls.
 
#11
A-Step-Towards said:
No tbird necks i believe and warmoth cant match that price. I think a goth would be better as much as i love nikki :) i think a custom guard made of metal or wood would be a sweet touch
Click to expand...

So what happened to this thread - Did the OP ever get to do his fretless Thunderbird?

I'm planning to do the exact same thing, and would love to see some pictures of the final project.
 
#12
I'd be curious, myself, on how such a project might go. IF you go that route, hillerup, keep me in the loop ;) I believe a T-Bird could well make for an excellent fretless (have had a couple Jazz fretless'). *I* think the slightly narrower neck would still work - unless one is going for extreme vibrato and what's used for strings. A flat wound steel is ideal...as compared to tape wounds IMO & IME.
 
#13
SlingBass4 said:
I'd be curious, myself, on how such a project might go. IF you go that route, hillerup, keep me in the loop ;) I believe a T-Bird could well make for an excellent fretless (have had a couple Jazz fretless'). *I* think the slightly narrower neck would still work - unless one is going for extreme vibrato and what's used for strings. A flat wound steel is ideal...as compared to tape wounds IMO & IME.
Click to expand...

It will probably take a little while before getting there, but I will definitely post pictures in the Thunderbird Club when I finally get the time to work on the project - All parts are there, including a spare neck - just need time...
 
#14
I just sold an Epi TB fretless neck I had left over from a Fenderbird project a couple of months ago. I defretted it and used white plastic to fill the slots. Ill put up some pics when I dig them up.
 

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