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Smoothing out Pedulla Polyester fingerboard (fretless)

IronLung1986

IronLung1986

May 19, 2010
2,485
3,355
Londonderry, NH
#1
Hi guys,

My Pedulla fretless has got one fret line which is ever so slightly raised. It's just the tiniest little bump in the polyester that you can feel if you run your finger down the fingerboard. It's not even the whole line, just a small part that affects only one string. However, it's annoying because it makes that one note sound different from all the others. Now obviously I'm pretty terrified to try fixing this problem myself, but since Michael is retired now I have no choice.

Is there a relatively easy, safe way for me to smooth out this one tiny area?

Thank you!
 
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#2
The best way to take out a little lump like that is with a very fine cut file, a #2 or #4 Swiss Cut. A gentle swipe or two will trim down the bump without harming the polyester around it. The teeth of a #2 file are fine enough that they will skid over the polyester if you don't apply much pressure. But they will catch the high spot.

Trying to sand it with sandpaper, even with a hard block, will scratch up a whole area. Then you have to wet sand and buff out the whole area.
 
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#3
Bruce Johnson said:
The best way to take out a little lump like that is with a very fine cut file, a #2 or #4 Swiss Cut. A gentle swipe or two will trim down the bump without harming the polyester around it. The teeth of a #2 file are fine enough that they will skid over the polyester if you don't apply much pressure. But they will catch the high spot.

Trying to sand it with sandpaper, even with a hard block, will scratch up a whole area. Then you have to wet sand and buff out the whole area.
Click to expand...

Ah ok thank you!

So is this what I should buy? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FL5875S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ComyFbK0ANSBE

Also is there by any chance a video showing what you consider to be the correct and accurate way to do this? I've never done anything like this before, least of all on such an expensive bass haha. Will the polyester still be shiny after I file it?
 
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#4
Yes, that's the correct type of file. Grobet makes excellent quality Swiss Pattern files. What I'm calling #2 Swiss cut, Amazon is calling Cut 2.

I'd recommend that you spend a couple of extra bucks and get the 6 inch Half Round Cut 2 file. It'll be more useful to you for other jobs down the road. Swiss Pattern files are an essential Luthier's tool. I have about a dozen of them, of different sizes and Cuts.

https://www.amazon.com/Grobet-Halfr...e+half+round+Cut+2&qid=1600192290&s=hi&sr=1-4

It would be pretty hard to show the technique in a video. Basically, you slide the file over the area with hardly any down force; just the weight of the file itself. You'll feel it cutting the bump as you go over it. When the bump is cut down flush, you'll feel the file sliding over the polyester as if it were a smooth piece of metal. It will probably only take one or two swipes of the file to level the bump. Don't keep going over it, and don't put any downward pressure on the file. If you do it gently, it shouldn't make any scratches on the polyester. If you do get any scratches, they will be very fine, and can be buffed out.
 
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#5
Bruce Johnson said:
Yes, that's the correct type of file. Grobet makes excellent quality Swiss Pattern files. What I'm calling #2 Swiss cut, Amazon is calling Cut 2.

I'd recommend that you spend a couple of extra bucks and get the 6 inch Half Round Cut 2 file. It'll be more useful to you for other jobs down the road. Swiss Pattern files are an essential Luthier's tool. I have about a dozen of them, of different sizes and Cuts.

https://www.amazon.com/Grobet-Halfr...e+half+round+Cut+2&qid=1600192290&s=hi&sr=1-4

It would be pretty hard to show the technique in a video. Basically, you slide the file over the area with hardly any down force; just the weight of the file itself. You'll feel it cutting the bump as you go over it. When the bump is cut down flush, you'll feel the file sliding over the polyester as if it were a smooth piece of metal. It will probably only take one ore two swipes of the file to level the bump. Don't keep going over it, and don't put any downward pressure on the file. If you do it gently, it shouldn't make any scratches on the polyester. If you do get any scratches, they will be very fine, and can be buffed out.
Click to expand...

Incredible. Thank you so much. I'll report back on how I fared in case anyone needs to know down the road.
 
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#6
@Bruce Johnson I was just curious what you think is a good technique for doing this. Should I use the rounded side of the file or the flat side? Do you think it's best to go across the width of the board or up and down lengthwise? Would it be better to push the file or pull? I don't have any muscle memory for this kind of task and I'm pretty afraid of making a mess of my bass haha.
 
#13
This file is also the perfect tool for fixing "fret sprout", the little ends of frets sticking out from fingerboard shrinkage. It's also great for removing runs and dust blobs from finishes. And leveling inlays that are sticking up. And polishing small shaped wood parts. And....
 
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#14
Bruce Johnson said:
This file is also the perfect tool for fixing "fret sprout", the little ends of frets sticking out from fingerboard shrinkage. It's also great for removing runs and dust blobs from finishes. And leveling inlays that are sticking up. And polishing small shaped wood parts. And....
Click to expand...

Wow awesome, I'll probably wonder how I lived without it!

Now, if I do end up needing to do some buffing, is there anything in particular you'd recommend? I got some Nu Finish Scratch Doctor and 3M Perfect It based on a couple YouTube videos, and some microfiber cloths for eyeglasses and stuff.
 
#15
@Bruce Johnson @Slidlow @T_Bone_TL Wanted to report back and thank you guys again for your help. I did the job yesterday and it came out really well. No problem at all actually. I was able to completely remove the little bump in the fretboard and now it's totally smooth. I used only the weight of the file, didn't press down at all, and went across the fingerboard and a little bit diagonal. It took several minutes of filing to get it completely smooth. The file did leave some minor scratches on the board, which I was able to buff out with 3M Perfect It rubbing compound and a microfiber cloth meant for eyeglasses. I really really appreciate you guys' advice as this has saved me a good deal of fuss and money. Not sure what I would have done honestly since Pedulla is closed and I don't know who else to trust with this bass. So for this type of thing I can trust myself now, and I have you guys to thank!
 
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#18
Matt Liebenau said:
Excellent. Not pressing down on the file or sanding block is usually the hard part of that type of repair.
Click to expand...

Yea, that was probably the best advice of all. I have this idea in my mind that the finish is very hard, so I almost definitely would have applied at least some downward pressure if no one had told me otherwise. Using only the weight of the file saved me from overdoing it!
 
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