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Wishbass headless fretless project
- Thread starter jbybj
- Start date
Happy Father's Day to me. I did some assemblage today, and I'm as giddy as a little school girl. This will be the first time, out of about 8 or 9 fretless redo's, where I won't be bringing it to my favorite luthier. Neck and fingerboard are far beyond acceptable. This is my best nut cut to date, it still needs to come done a bit, but already feels sweet to play.
I made it to my typical 8 coats, looks real good from 10 feet away. Left the body glossy, steel wooled the neck for a satin result. I decided to Google Fretless nut height, and all that came up was Talkbass threads. Very instructive as usual.
Cut the nut with two layers of gaffers tape as a spacer/protector.
Installed my Dunlop strap lock anchors. I bought a bag of 50, I have 4 left.
Of course, I broke a screw when installing the output jack plate. Nothing a drill, some toothpicks, and wood epoxy couldn't take care of.
Wired up my 32 year old EMG active P-bass pup, replaced the old cap with a .047 Orange drop that came with the bass purchase.
Double stick taped a foam battery retainer to the control cavity cover.
Strung it up with the only flats I had on hand, a used set of D'Addario Chromes. Didn't get a chance to set the intonation, I will wait until the nut is right. It already plays with an ease and comfort that makes me very happy/relieved. I can't wait til I get the nut and bridge dialed in. I have made temporary sharpie marks for the positions, I will be buying a FretFx LED array. Now I need to decide on some new strings. Final weight, with strings and a battery, 9lbs, 0.8ozs
I made it to my typical 8 coats, looks real good from 10 feet away. Left the body glossy, steel wooled the neck for a satin result. I decided to Google Fretless nut height, and all that came up was Talkbass threads. Very instructive as usual.
Cut the nut with two layers of gaffers tape as a spacer/protector.
Installed my Dunlop strap lock anchors. I bought a bag of 50, I have 4 left.
Of course, I broke a screw when installing the output jack plate. Nothing a drill, some toothpicks, and wood epoxy couldn't take care of.
Wired up my 32 year old EMG active P-bass pup, replaced the old cap with a .047 Orange drop that came with the bass purchase.
Double stick taped a foam battery retainer to the control cavity cover.
Strung it up with the only flats I had on hand, a used set of D'Addario Chromes. Didn't get a chance to set the intonation, I will wait until the nut is right. It already plays with an ease and comfort that makes me very happy/relieved. I can't wait til I get the nut and bridge dialed in. I have made temporary sharpie marks for the positions, I will be buying a FretFx LED array. Now I need to decide on some new strings. Final weight, with strings and a battery, 9lbs, 0.8ozs
Attachments
The headstock is an homage to the classic Wishbass Gumby headstock. Wish can be an acquired taste.
Finished tweaking the nut, installed new LaBella Gold Flats, and I’m done.
NBD Wishbass headless fretless project
NBD Wishbass headless fretless project
