• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sharpie Question

Beast_Within

Beast_Within

Oct 30, 2007
248
0
Portland, Oregon
#1
This may be a very stupid question, but I'm doing a bunch of mods to an SX and in addition to improving the electronics I wanna end up with an entirely black and white bass when I'm done. Now, I have a few things working for me in that the body is white, the hardware is black, and I have a black pickguard coming in the mail. However, I have a maple fretboard. It does have black binding and blocks which is a great start, but what if I were to take a white sharpie to all of the maple areas? Hopefully I could end up with a similar looking fretboard to the Moon Larry Graham sig. Any reason not to do this? Any idea of how well the sharpie would hold up? Any other suggestions for how to make the fretboard white are of course welcome. Thanks for the help.

NOW UPDATED WITH PICS OF THE NECK AFTER THE FIRST COAT OF SHARPIE/PAINT PEN (POST 75)
 
#4
I don't think that'd work see the sharpie has a bunch of chemicals in it and it may damage the lacquer on the fretboard which could cause it to wear faster.

While I applaud the ingenuity the method whould come back to bite ya'.
Maybe you can have a luthier refinish it so the maples white.

Personally speaking I love your mod but, hate the idea of a sharpie fretboard.

Just my 2 cents but, what do I know I'm not a builder.
 
#5
carlos840 said:
This is indeed a very stupid question! Your joking right?
Click to expand...

Nope. The only white sharpies I've seen around are technically paint pens and because it is possible to paint a fretboard white/finish it in white I was curious if this could be used as a cheap alternative. In short, I'm broke as hell and trying to get creative with this. Just curious why it couldn't/shouldn't be done to a maple fretboard which already has a finish on it.
 
#7
XtheDeadPawn said:
I don't think that'd work see the sharpie has a bunch of chemicals in it and it may damage the lacquer on the fretboard which could cause it to wear faster.

While I applaud the ingenuity the method whould come back to bite ya'.
Maybe you can have a luthier refinish it so the maples white.

Personally speaking I love your mod but, hate the idea of a sharpie fretboard.

Just my 2 cents but, what do I know I'm not a builder.
Click to expand...
Okay, gotcha. I definitely see the danger in putting unknown chemicals on the fretboard finish, I just don't know whether a sharpie would cause damage or not. I wouldn't want to put sharpie on an unfinished fretboard, but I really have no idea whether it would do actual damage or not. The luthier route would definitely be the way to go, but I only have about $100 in the bass total and I'm pretty broke right now. Thanks for the input though man. I just really don't know what will happen here either, haha
 
#10
Pilgrim said:
Possibly the worst idea I've read in weeks. Absolutely would look hideous and will not hold up. That fretboard looks exactly as designed - do NOT screw it up.
Click to expand...

Completely get your point of view. However, this is an SX and I'm gonna be using it in a ska/punk band. Originally I was gonna cover the thing in stickers (which I'm sure would get a lot of negative reactions too), but now I'm thinking the black and white theme is the way to go. Any specific reason why it wouldn't hold up? I mean, that's my natural assumption as well. But the sharpie paint pens do seem to hold up pretty well and are stronger than the standard ones. Does anyone know for sure that it wopuld work?

Also, is this really hideous?
moonbass.jpg
 
#19
snyderz said:
DO IT!! Let us know how it turns out.
Click to expand...

Bevo1995 said:
Do it. Document the process and result with pictures. Gig with it. Take more pictures. Write up your impressions. Post all here for us to see.
Click to expand...

Based on the prior flood of negative responses it's slightly difficult to tell if you guys are serious or just humoring me. Regardless, I'm pretty curious and odds are that I'll do it anyway. And if I do, I'll definitely post pictures and my thoughts on whether or not the method was effective. If nothing else, it may serve as a warning to any others with similar ideas, haha. Still, for the time being I'm open to any other alternative suggestions and perfectly willing to listen to reasons why this will not work.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back