Fretless neck relief

[Ralf1e]

Bought Skinner's fretless bitza that was on here at the weekend with a view to stripping and oil rub finishing it. It needs a bit of neck angle adjustment.

Not a problem but before I proceed. Is the neck relief on a fretless generally the same as we put on a fretted bass or is something different recommended?

TBH  I've never had to set up a fretless from scratch before so thought it wise to ask.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Ralf1e

[songofthewind]

Depends what sound you’re after. If you want lots of mwah, less relief is your only man. 

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, songofthewind said:

Depends what sound you’re after. If you want lots of mwah, less relief is your only man. 

Yep, this, all day and a low action.

[BlueMoon]

I normally start with a flat board and add the minimum relief as needed.

[Ralf1e]

Thank you for the replies. That is where I am and gets me started in the fine tuning stages.

[Andyjr1515]

Yes - as above.  Basically flat but, because a backbow 'hump' is problematic, then a teeny bit of relief is confirmation that it doesn't have that issue.  It's actually the same for a fretted neck.

 

Also I have the bottom of my nut slot grooves flush with the fretboard so that the bottoms of the strings are just touching the edge of the fretboard.

Edited December 22, 2022 by Andyjr1515

[lownote]

I don't like mwah and prefer a conventional sound so I go with conventional settings: 0.3mm at the nut, ditto relief at the 8th fret with string held down at 1st and last fret position, and string height above the board at 12the fret marker of 2.4mm E, 2mm A, and 1.8mm D&G.

Edited December 22, 2022 by lownote