I think it’s pulp. Pressed into strips. High pressure machines. Probably the material that comes from the scrap.
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Glarry Fretless Fingerboard
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I know that clarinet bells were being made in this manner quite a while back to replace ebony, I had one and it was v difficult to tell apart from an ebony one mostly weight gave it away
Nice job! I went with rattle can poly five good coats with NO sanding inbetween about 10 minutes apart and poly'd the entire neck and headstock I am partial to gloss finishes. See your upgraded scratch plate, pick-ups and bridge, nice touch!
The folks at the Luthiers Corner (ETA: Luthier's Corner) investigate composite finger and fret boards occasionally. Here's a taste of what they can do: Rocklite: The Latest Synthetic Ebony For Fingerboards
I'm not sure I did it correctly, and consider that the frets were out. After measuring and marking the fretboard, I simply went to town with a rasp, long strokes and some tunes. I followed up with sandpaper 80-400 grit.
I'm not sure how to trim with the frets in the way. Is yours fretted?
That and the fact that it's played by Dr. Cheese himself...
Absolutely, the good professor has that natural tone in his hands for sure...
As for the finding on the material, that's very cool. I know Ebony is starting to become a stressed species so if we can find a good synthetic replacement, that would be good.
L
There are so many phenomenal players on the Internet that any level of compliment is incredibly humbling. Thanks for the kind words, folks.
Yep, this thing has been fretless since the mid '70s bare Rosewood board always with Rotosound Swing bass rounds, except this pic, light gauge flats that are not on it anymore. Anyway I've been playing this bass ever since. It's my Number One. No gouges.
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Still trying to get a video up on this. It has a lot of funky good tones in
I think you're right about the pulp. When I pull the frets and cleaned the slots with a fret saw, what came out was like powder. That's one of the main reasons I used super glue to seal the fret board.
Holy smokes, now that's some kinda relic'ed bass right there.... Though I think it'd be ok to take some compressed air to it - I don't think vintage dust adds value...
Just kidding - Love it!
L
Dude, that is the mojo, the dust!Holy smokes, now that's some kinda relic'ed bass right there.... Though I think it'd be ok to take some compressed air to it - I don't think vintage dust adds value...
Just kidding - Love it!
L
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I probably put a little too much $$ in a $69 bass but the pickups and new bridge did make an improvement. I also added new pots and a bone nut. The thing plays sweet and I have no regrets. I do enjoy working on these instruments!
Good
I hear ya, I am in the same boat! Except when my bass upgrades come the old parts get passed down to the Glarry's. Enjoy!
They can call it that because a nice lady by the name of Rosie Wood sells Glarry a proprietary blend of imported epoxy resin from the back of a rickshaw somewhere in Indiana.
Mine is fretted. I was planning on measuring each fret very carefully and cutting them, on each side, with the dremel cutting wheel. I can then pull out the excess and go to town with a rasp
A little visual...
