Fretless with Epoxy Coating

[Amplified]

I only know of two, and am looking for a fretless bass with the epoxy coating on the fretboard as stock.

(a) Tune Bass Maniac and (b) Fender Jaco Pastorius Custom Shop.

Could anyone suggest more that I can take a look at?

Thanks.

 

[spade2you]

Pedulla?

Also possible to take an existing fretless and send it to someone to get an epoxy or polyester coat.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I only know of two, and am looking for a fretless bass with the epoxy coating on the fretboard as stock.

(a) Tune Bass Maniac and (b) Fender Jaco Pastorius Custom Shop.

Could anyone suggest more that I can take a look at?

Thanks.

I don't know of a maker that offers an epoxy coating as stock.
But there are small businesses that will do it for you.
HG Thor Epoxy Fretless

 

[esa372]

I've had a few luthiers tell me that epoxy is for DIYers, and that professionals prefer polyurethane for coating fretless fingerboards.

Having used both, I'd have to say that I prefer poly over epoxy on my fretless.

 

[JIO]

I did a cyanacryate coating on my ebony-boarded Factor fretless neck and it's held up pretty well over the years. I designed/made the T-bird inspired Koa body for it many moons ago.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I only know of two, and am looking for a fretless bass with the epoxy coating on the fretboard as stock.

(a) Tune Bass Maniac and (b) Fender Jaco Pastorius Custom Shop.

Could anyone suggest more that I can take a look at?

Thanks.

Carvin will do a cyanoacrylate coating. It's called "HFC" and I am pretty sure it is no longer an option 50, meaning you don't waive the 10-day trail by ordering it.

Zon I believe also uses cyanoacrylate on their coated boards. Zon also uses graphite necks.

Most places don't use epoxy because it is really labour intensive.

 

[basspraiser]

Also possible to take an existing fretless and send it to someone to get an epoxy or polyester coat.

This....I've had 2 fretless basses coated by Carl Pedigo ( Chicago bass doctor) and love them

 

[joebar]

even the mighty pedulla uses a polyester coating not epoxy

 

[Amplified]

Thanks for all your replies...I guess poly is the way to go too.

 

[Amplified]

I don't know of a maker that offers an epoxy coating as stock.
But there are small businesses that will do it for you.
HG Thor Epoxy Fretless

Saw this, but too much hassle for me. Prefer it as stock if possible.

 

[JLee]

The Ibanez GWB1005 (Gary Willis). Rosewood with a finish.
Redirect Notice

 

[MVE]

I've had a few luthiers tell me that epoxy is for DIYers, and that professionals prefer polyurethane for coating fretless fingerboards.

Having used both, I'd have to say that I prefer poly over epoxy on my fretless.

Can you explain the differences and why you prefer poly?

i have West System Glass Coat on mine, but I didn't do a perfect job and have been thinking about starting over.
Every CY and Poly I have seen just doesn't have that cool depth that you get with epoxy.

 

[sharpbass]

I'd do what this guy did.
Mo’s Repair Shop - Epoxy Coating

 

[sharpbass]

there are small businesses that will do it for you.
HG Thor Epoxy Fretless

But it'll take 5 years...

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I've had a few luthiers tell me that epoxy is for DIYers, and that professionals prefer polyurethane for coating fretless fingerboards.

Having used both, I'd have to say that I prefer poly over epoxy on my fretless.

Two part epoxy cures harder and is more stable than polyurethane in warmer weather. Surprised, that DIYers use epoxy as its harder than poly to apply.

More about what you prefer.

Both can be flatted with successive grades of wet paper until you get to 2000 grit and feel great.

Epoxy is harder than poly, especially if using roundwounds.

 

[Watchootognbout]

But it'll take 5 years...

It used to be ONE year!!!
He needs to hire on some help!!

 

[stanknuckle]

CA glue fretless I did myself. Plays like a dream!
CA dries hard, and I've never felt any change under the fingers in summer. Australia gets mighty hot and freezing winters. The most difficult thing is making it playable. This bass had stupidly low action, and only with proper levelling can you get it to play with a 1mm action. The neck is pretty much dead straight too.

 

[Brother Goose]

I've never owned a coated fretless neck- have been loyal to ebony FB over the years...

I'd love to get down with some extra mwah

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I've never owned a coated fretless neck- have been loyal to ebony FB over the years...

I'd love to get down with some extra mwah

I don't think you get more mwah from an epoxy board than an ebony one, at least not in my experience.

 

[esa372]

Can you explain the differences and why you prefer poly?

I had epoxy on the neck for ~12 years. When it was time to refinish, I tried my hand at it myself with 2-part epoxy, but I was not entire pleased with the result. It was alright, but I wasn't satisfied.

I called Eric's Guitar Shop for some advice; he suggested that I talk to Pat Wilkins, and think about using poly instead. So, I took the bass to Wilkins Guitar, and he applied the poly.

For me (and my bass), the poly produces a bit more high-mid grind, resulting in a growlier sound.
Epoxy feels a little softer to me, and I prefer glassier to gummier.
As for the look, I don't see much of a difference.

(This is all subjective opinion, of course.)

Here is the poly finish by Wilkins: