De-Fret??

[miles'tone]

7 hours ago, DTB said:

I already play fretless. 
 

and they don’t do a fretless version of the BBNE2. 
 

It was my main bass before I started playing fretless and I miss the build quality and the weight, tone and feel. 

My take on playing music is that the player is actually the instrument, the conduit for the music. A bass is simply a tool for the job.

You have your favourite tool, it's ok to change it so it's up to the job at hand.

Imho of course.

[miles'tone]

This chap's work and reputation look to be worth at least a phone call and a chat about it:

 

https://www.81guitarworks.co.uk/

[pete.young]

6 hours ago, DTB said:

 

Think I will put some Cobalt Flats on it

I'm interested to see how that goes. I have Elixirs on mine.

[itu]

5 hours ago, Sean said:

...the BBNE2 then. Flagship Yamaha bass. 

I do not follow Fender or Yamaha or many other brands as they just do not fit me. That's why I didn't remember that it is a neck through. 

 

But my main point was that as it is a fine instrument, I would keep it as it is. Self made modification may be fine, but there are other possibilities, too. A skilled luthier can make a good fretless version of it. Same dimensions and everything, the playability between those two could be very interesting. And a good luthier may suggest some tiny modifications that support the fretless sound, too. 

[NickA]

Fretless rules.  I have a fretted MK2 Wal which I hardly ever play...because I have a fretless and that's what I almost always pick up. Fretless sounds and feels so good.

 

But: two reasons not to mod your bbne2.

 

1. That's an expensive bass to go modding.  I defretted a bass once but it was a plywood jazz copy.

 

2. Apart from being thro neck the bbne2 appears to have those mother of pearl plates ( forget their name) on the fingerboard.  Those would have to go and be filled with matched ebony. Difficult and expensive.  A whole new board might be easier...and that might upset the neck stability.

 

On balance if say great idea but not on this one!