Hellzero Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 1 hour ago, White Cloud said: I wouldn't want to get into that 🙄... I received it from the very fellow who comissioned it. He was a very nice chap indeed and I had the better end of the deal! Nice communication problem here. Now with the photos, it's obvious that you forgot to mention the position lines. This makes a HUGE difference, since lots of fretless basses are made this way. It's not my favourite way, but it's not really a problem in fact, and I'm a fretless player, by the way. Looks like you wanted to get us on the wrong path, not fair at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 14 minutes ago, Hellzero said: Nice communication problem here. Now with the photos, it's obvious that you forgot to mention the position lines. This makes a HUGE difference, since lots of fretless basses are made this way. It's not my favourite way, but it's not really a problem in fact, and I'm a fretless player, by the way. Looks like you wanted to get us on the wrong path, not fair at all. Yes, I can now see the confusion... no intention to confuse, apologies to all for the omission. I've taken your advice btw and contacted Overwater for guidance. Nice steer! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 10, 2019 Author Share Posted October 10, 2019 Just a wee update I made initial contact with Chris May today and it seems that the best way to go is to plane the fingerboard off, then replace with a new fretted one. Rather him than me 😮 Considering Chris hand made this bass I reckon he is 'the man' for the task.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Quite a strange answer as there's absolutely no need to plane the fingerboard off. Did you send him the photos ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 (edited) I'd suggest getting in touch with one or more of the builders who show their wares on this site. The only issue would be if the through neck means you can't raise the bridge by about 2mm to compensate. If Jaco Pasatorius can go the other way by pulling his frets off and painting over the result with epoxy paint... Edited October 10, 2019 by Stub Mandrel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 10, 2019 Author Share Posted October 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Hellzero said: Quite a strange answer as there's absolutely no need to plane the fingerboard off. Did you send him the photos ? Yes, pictures sent. Chris didn't speak in absolutes however, given that it's a neck-thru offered the aforementioned as his initial assessment. Personally, I'd trust him implicitly on whatever he decides given his reputation and experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: I'd suggest getting in touch with one or more of the builders who show their wares on this site. The only issue would be if the through neck means you can't raise the bridge by about 2mm to compensate. If Jaco Pasatorius can go the other way by pulling his frets off and painting over the result with epoxy paint... Plus one to that, I'd suggest you have a chat with Andyjr1515 . If the bridge can't be raised it might be possible to plane off 2mm of the existing fingerboard. Perhaps the way that Overwater make fingerboards isn't compatible with something that's already fixed to an instrument? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 10 hours ago, pete.young said: Perhaps the way that Overwater make fingerboards isn't compatible with something that's already fixed to an instrument? That should be the answer. Indeed according the Build Diaries thread and the work done, @Andyjr1515 is a person to get in contact with. Look here for his last terrific job : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 11, 2019 Author Share Posted October 11, 2019 Sincere apologies folks, I've lost a handle on what's being recommended as a solution here... (my fault not yours) Is the suggestion that the existing fingerboard remains fitted, with an additional fretted board fitted to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Hi Just woken up from my slumbers... Somehow, I'd missed this thread - apols. Beautiful bass! I suspect the problem isn't about the action height or the geometry - it's much more down to earth than that. It's about how you cut the frets themselves. And it's about the area once the fretboard gets to the body. Normally, the board would be slotted before being glued to the neck. Generally, this will be: using a fret saw; using a very fine circular saw; using a CNC router Usually, the fret positions would be achieved using a specialist jig or the CNC programming, etc. It is possible to mark by hand and use a mitre block when using a saw, but this can be error prone - even with the ability of handing and clamping just a flat board. The options with a board already glued into a through neck are very limited. You can't use a fret saw; you can't usea circular saw. Theoretically, you could use a CNC router, but how do you jig the bass (and not damage it with the clamps) so that it is EXACTLY in the correct position, accurate in all planes to a hundredth of a millimetre? I used to run a factory of CNC routers and that would have been in the category of 'tell the customer he couldn't afford it' category. So the only practical answer if likely to be to replace the fretboard (and even that isn't easy to do on a finished through-neck bass. Hope this helps Andy I think this is probably where Chris is coming from 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 11, 2019 Author Share Posted October 11, 2019 Thank you Andy! Perhaps I should kick this project into the long grass ... a shame as this bass wont see too much action in my band😣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 6 minutes ago, White Cloud said: Thank you Andy! Perhaps I should kick this project into the long grass ... a shame as this bass wont see too much action in my band😣 It sounds like you need to find someone looking to trade. That would be the simplest option I imagine. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 12 minutes ago, White Cloud said: Thank you Andy! Perhaps I should kick this project into the long grass ... a shame as this bass wont see too much action in my band😣 There's something a bit special about a fretless bass for certain numbers. Personally, I would have a fretted...but I'd keep and practice with the fretless too. It really doesn't take too long to make the small adjustment in finger positioning and be able to play either. In terms of playing your fretted bass, I'll bet your fingers always hit the same position with the same precision regardless of the presence of the frets... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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