Oggy Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [u][b]Fretting about re-fret and fret. [/b][/u] I’ve started using BC regularly now; I’m loving it (Oh I feel a Mc D coming on). I’ve seen a couple of Bass’s advertised for sale that have either been born fretless or had the frets removed. I’m a bit long in the tooth now to start playing fretless Bass, but I’ve lusted after a couple of de-frets and fretless beauties I’ve seen on BC :wub: . Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to re-fret a de-fret or fret a fretless bass? I’m assuming that it can be done by a qualified Luther but would like to hear from anyone who’s had it done and roughly how much it would cost? Thanks Guys. Oggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [quote name='Oggy' post='733155' date='Feb 2 2010, 04:52 PM'][u][b]Fretting about re-fret and fret. [/b][/u] I’ve started using BC regularly now; I’m loving it (Oh I feel a Mc D coming on). I’ve seen a couple of Bass’s advertised for sale that have either been born fretless or had the frets removed. I’m a bit long in the tooth now to start playing fretless Bass, but I’ve lusted after a couple of de-frets and fretless beauties I’ve seen on BC :wub: . Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to re-fret a de-fret or fret a fretless bass? I’m assuming that it can be done by a qualified Luther but would like to hear from anyone who’s had it done and roughly how much it would cost? Thanks Guys. Oggy [/quote] You're never too old! Refretting a de-fretted bass shouldn't present a problem for a luthier, as most of the work (i.e. the setting out) has been done already, & it's also quite straightforward to saw out any inlays. The nut would probably have to be replaced, as they're usually cut lower for fretless. Expect to pay more for fretting a "blank" board. As to cost, no idea. You could start by giving The Gallery in Camden a call - 020 7267 5458. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 You could always consider a bolt on neck bass and swap out the fretless for a fretted neck if you don't like it (although I'll guarantee you will ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 assuming the defretting has left the slots intact then it should be reasonably easy and not much more than the cost of a refret if the fret tangs have been left in then it might be a challenge to get them out if it's a fretless then the dots on the side of the board will usually be lined up with the fret positions so there's a little more to overcome and therefore a cost issue (plus the extra work needed to cut the slots) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrinkleygit Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Don't knock it till you try it & you're certainly never to old to play fretless,it is nowhere near as difficult as you might think to play without frets,buy one of the basses you like the look of & give it a go, after all you can always put it up for sale again.Always plenty of help on the forum & check out "fretless bass lessons" on you tube,look out for Steve Bailey as a starting point, best of luck, mike b. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oggy Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks guys for getting back to me with the advice (see above), given me a bit to think about. I’ll keep an eye out and ‘perhaps’ pick up a cheap fretless to try it, I hate trying things out in music shops with the assistant breathing down my neck . I would imagine that with some flat wounds and a piezo bridge pickup the tone would be quite amazing. Oggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Oggy' post='733803' date='Feb 3 2010, 10:00 AM']I’ll keep an eye out and ‘perhaps’ pick up a cheap fretless to try it, I hate trying things out in music shops with the assistant breathing down my neck .[/quote] You could buy mine! I defretted it, so if you wanted to re-fret it I guess it wouldn't be too expensive.... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=72579"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=72579[/url] Edited February 3, 2010 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oggy Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 [quote name='Conan' post='733900' date='Feb 3 2010, 11:31 AM']You could buy mine! I defretted it, so if you wanted to re-fret it I guess it wouldn't be too expensive.... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=72579"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=72579[/url][/quote] Nice try Conan . £350 is a little rich for me, considering that I’d either have to sell it on or spend £??? on it to re-fret if I didn’t get on with the fretless thing. Thanks for pointing me at it though. Oggy I love this site, the feedback and comments are great reading - my boss thinks I'm enjoying my work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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