Fretless conversion tips

[Grassie]

Hi all,

 

Thinking of ripping the frets out of my Squier Affinity jazz, I’m pretty sure some of you have done this too, so please share any hints/tips/do’s/don’t’s.

Also looking for recommendations for somewhere to purchase wood veneer for the fret slots.

Ta very much in advance. 😎

[paul_5]

Patience is key here. If it's a rosewood (or similar) fretboard then be VERY careful when removing the frets, as it splinters very easily. Heat them up with a soldering iron to let them lift themselves out of the grooves before carefully pulling them out. Get a radius block too for the smoothing/sanding after the gaps have been filled in - these come in various sizes, so check with a radius gauge first - you might need two, as some boards have a compound radius (slightly different radius closer to the nut than the bridge).

[Grassie]

It’s a 1st gen Squier Affinity so I can’t imagine it has something as fancy as a compound radius, but thank you for the heads up. 😊

[paul_5]

2 minutes ago, Grassie said:

It’s a 1st gen Squier Affinity so I can’t imagine it has something as fancy as a compound radius, but thank you for the heads up. 😊

dunno, if it's made in the same factory as other (more expensive) basses then it's quicker (and therefore cheaper) to use the same tooling for everything.

[PaulThePlug]

I'd have a look for a cheapy fretless neck on the bay or aliexpress.

 

Shout to @Andyjr1515 for his words of wisdom, and encouragement to give it a go.

T'was a G4M Strat-ish, found abandoned, so nothing to loose. Son now has a Fretless Guitar for Ebow-ing and Sliding about on...

 

Maybe practice on some cheapy charity shop find, or some thing local on facebook?

 

Decent ground-flat tip nippers to get flush with the board, i had a pair of i'll fitting, worn and rusty end cutters.

 

*When you have pulled the frets out, don't be tempted to give the board a wipe with a fuffy or microfiber cloth.

Nope... Don't do it - catches all the rough and tears out more board splinters, just like this!

Go for the lightest rub with a real light sand paper instead.

 

I cleaned the slots out with a razor blade, then a Stanley blade, Until a 0.5 / 0.6 feeler gauge (or the back of the Stanley blade) can nicely run the slot.

 

I got veneer from here - sample sheet on the bay for £3, and went for maple.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284926110021

Cut and Dry-Fit...

Then PVA'd in...

Trimmed, Sanded and a few Wipe-Overs with Super Glue, followed by a Light Sand and Buff...

 

So, you can do it..

Edited yesterday at 10:29 by PaulThePlug

[JPJ]

I defretted my Warwick Rockbass Alien electro-acoustic a while ago and its revolutionised that particular bass. Here’s my thread on my method. Might be a few useful nuggets in here, but as @paul_5 says, patience is key.