Adding frets??

Bassman_4080 · Post by **Bassman_4080** » Mon Feb 05, 2001 2:03 am

Mark,

Simple question: What's your thoughts on ADDING frets on a 4001/3 to give me 24 frets?? What I mean is, adding a chunk of wood, complete with frets and all, to the end of the existing neck area to create the 21st thru the 24th frets. From what I gather, the bass (neck) p/u would have to be moved back a bit (and, subsequently, a new hole routed out in the body and a new pickguard cut)- but, would it WORK?? As it is now, 'tapping' out harmonics over the neck p/u is difficult and inconsistent at best- how possible is this?? (now, I realize the correct answer here is 'anything is possible with enough time and money'- unfortunately that doesn't apply to me at the moment, but I'd be willing to try it if you think it's feasible)

Any thoughts are a plus.

Thanks.

Bassman_4080 · Post by **Bassman_4080** » Mon Feb 05, 2001 2:09 am

After you pick yourself up off the floor from laughing- please think about it.

Also, as a qualifier, you might think that all I do is sit around and dream up these cockamaimey ideas trying to make a luthiers' life difficult, but I assure you, this is most definately NOT the case- I have actual applications for such a modification (inquiring minds don't want to know!!)

Would the thing buzz at those 'new' frets like a.....like a thing that buzzes a lot?....or would it work?

(Please excuse these weird questions here, but this is the kind of thing I've wondered about for YEARS- now I finally find someone who's qualified to answer them!!)

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Feb 05, 2001 9:14 pm

Well this could be done ...but it would not be cheap and I have done this before ....I don't want the task at the moment .I am swamped with work.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Feb 05, 2001 9:18 pm

And 'weird' questions are fine/great ,just don't ask me how to install a car ciggie lighter in your instrument! forget it .

No I won't discuss scalloped frets either ...Why!??!

there are plenty of interesting things to be done to guitars .But bizarre ...I don't do .

My feeling has been ...if you can put it back to stock ...then it is probably okay to do.

Bassman_4080 · Post by **Bassman_4080** » Mon Feb 05, 2001 9:50 pm

Thanks for the response. And don't worry- it's nothing I plan to do soon...someday, perhaps, but not yet. Besides, my 4080/12 comes first. AND my other 4001's, and... (!!)

BTW, I don't do scallops- allergic to sea food.

And I appreciate your honesty. And the seemingly immense amount of time and care you devote to this forum- your knowledge and experience are absolutely invaluable- thanks for ALL you do.

One quick follow-up: You mention 'if you can put it back to stock'- I presume, then, that this type of mod would be reversible?

Thanks again!! (I'll quit bugging you now- I promise!!)

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Feb 05, 2001 11:44 pm

Ok ,here is what I would do ;

make a laminated maple /'rosewood' piece that is in a rectangle shape.

Mill the fretslots ,trim the sides,(add the binding -this is for a 4003/4001 )

remove the frets back to the 14 th slot/fret,

mount the new section from the underside of the pickguard.Using threaded inserts in the maple and using countersunk machine screws to hold it in place.

Plane the fretboard extension to the rest of the fretboard ,refret.fret the slots,

Restring and adjust the truss rods.Check the intonation and except for the holes drilled in the plexiglass guard it is "STOCK".

This would only work on the newer basss ,not the vintage models that the neck pickup is 1/2" away from the end of the neck.

Now I have not checked this out ...so this may or may not fit still ,but this is the idea.

Bassman_4080 · Post by **Bassman_4080** » Tue Feb 06, 2001 8:32 pm

Fair enough. Thanks. I said I'd quit bugging you and I'll keep that promise.

Very much appreciated once again.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Feb 07, 2001 12:53 am

Hey,you did not 'bug' me ..this has been asked of me before ...not in the last 5 years ,but before that .I got the idea from another local Seattle guy ...Paul Stoh.He's the guy that came up with the side ways clamp that Fender used in the mid 1980's .A very clever fellow.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Feb 07, 2001 12:55 am

Make that --the sideways NUT clamp ,too bad the bridge was not his idea.It was an easier to operate -semi locking tremelo/vibrato idea.

Bassman_4080 · Post by **Bassman_4080** » Wed Feb 07, 2001 10:32 pm

Well, I think it's safe to say that both of you are well ahead of most in your line of work. At least in my mind (and several others hereabouts). Thank you for the time, and perhaps I'll get to know you better (from a business standpoint) in the future.

Thanks again!!