Fretting a fretless bass?

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esun127

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Another question concerning my bass-playing friend. Is it possible to get a fretless bass fretted? Or is the construction totally different? My friend saw a great deal for fretless bass but isn't into that stuff.

Also how good are ebony fretboards for bass? I have em on my Taylor and Ibanez, but haven't seen much on basses. How much would it cost for a luthier to fret a bass? Thanks.
 
No problem putting frets on it, should cost $200-250.....

Amund
 
esun127 said:
Also how good are ebony fretboards for bass? I have em on my Taylor and Ibanez, but haven't seen much on basses.
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Not an expert on woods but I believe ebony is used (especially on fretless basses) because it's a very hard wood. It doesn't wear off quickly which is a good thing on an instrument where those metal strings are digging into the fretboard.
 
Although I am sure you could fret a fretless... my question would be WHY?

If you don't want a fretless... don't buy one.

On the other hand, if the bass was given to you... maybe you could learn to PLAY it... which would give you another option in sound that you might not otherwise have.

Just my 2 cents.
 
You could most likely buy a finished fretted neck much cheaper than a "pro" fret job.
 
I agree on why would you want to change them.

But yes ebony is a very hard wood, and the tone that it gives is a more prue. (that is why it is on the classical insturments)

I personally would use a different neck. One fretless and the other fretted if possible. The cost would be about the same I would imagine.
 
If you don't want a fretless... don't buy one.
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He came across a used version of his dream bass and it's less than 1/3 of the price. The $250 cost for fretting would be negligible.

On the other hand, if the bass was given to you... maybe you could learn to PLAY it... which would give you another option in sound that you might not otherwise have.
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This will be his only bass. Can't slap on a fretless bass. I think he would be very bored playing fingerstyle and harmonics for the next few years.

You could most likely buy a finished fretted neck much cheaper than a "pro" fret job.
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It's neck-through. A very high quality one at that.

I personally would use a different neck. One fretless and the other fretted if possible. The cost would be about the same I would imagine.
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Same as above.

Thanks to all for your suggestions! They are all great suggestions, but this is unique case where the normal rules don't really apply. I'll post again in a week or two to let you guys know how it all goes.
 
Christiaan: I think it's only higer-priced instruments that have an ebony fingerboard. Most have pau-ferro, rosewood or wood of the same kind.

esun127: you didn't mention what bass it is ??? I wouldn't mind chaning a (newer) Fender, Yamaha, Ibanez,... bass, but wouldn't dare to touch something like Fodera, Smith, Lakland,... if you see what I mean (would be a waste of the instrument).


Herwig
 
DeadPoet said:
Christiaan: I think it's only higer-priced instruments that have an ebony fingerboard. Most have pau-ferro, rosewood or wood of the same kind.
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Could be well. Although I doubt the usefulness of rosewood on a fretless bass. I defretted a Yamaha with a rosewood fingerboard once and those roundwound strings clearly left their marks. (Solved that with a couple of layers of epoxy resin).
Or maybe you'll always need a protective layer when using roundwound strings no matter what kind of wood it's made of... I may have some hands on experience but definately not a lot.
I guess I'm just thinking out loud now.

And yeah, I'd also like to know what bass we're talking about.
 
It's a Warwick Dolphin Pro 1. The new ones with the ovankol (sp) wood just don't look as good.

He's going to try it out fretless for awhile to see if he might like playing fretless. There's a possibility he might add just one fret to the highest register to get a better sound when he slaps/pops. We shall see.
 
Christiaan: I know of string tear. I own a Musicman 5 fretless, it has a pau ferro fingerboard and has very clear marks on it. I hesitate to do the Jaco-epoxy-trick, because I know it'll alter the sound dramatically..

esun127: a Dolphin is indeed a higherpriced instrument, with a Wenge fingerboard (bizarre body though). I think if you're going to add one fret in the high register it'll render the bass unusable, because every time you fret a note the string will touch the fret, no ??
Hmmm... nice woods on the Dolphin


Herwig
 
As someone mentioned you can slap on a fretless. There are also a lot of fun things you can only do without frets.

Also, perhaps some device could be built to simulate the fret smack of slapping on a fretted bass. Maybe a little chunk of metal that's level with the fretboard and placed just off of the end. You could even use a small wood block and some fretwire. Things to think about.
 
that is a great find. I would keep it as is myself, but hey it is one of those things. if it is worth the price it is worth the fight. have fun with it man.
 
Raise the neck pickup real close to the strings, that should work for slap.

Also check out Baghiti Khumalo of Paul Simon Graceland fame. Seventeen years later those bass lines still kick me in the butt.
 
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