crazy question re 4004

[marquezdl]

Hi all, my first post here.
I am pretty much totally a fretless player. I have 2 fretless basses, a turner 5 and a custom 4. I have been wanting a Ric for quite some time, and after playing a 4004 Cii a few months back I have settled on the 4004 as my choice. However since it's not available as a fretless, I'd have to do that part of the process myself.
I am considering the idea of getting a 4004 and sending it to "Thor" ( http://www.woodwiz.com/epoxy/pricing.html ) for his fret removal and epoxy coating...then string it up with my favorite LaBella 760N tapewounds, and plug it into my Ampeg B12.
Anybody have any thoughts, or any experience with a similar operation?
Also, anybody using tapewounds on a 4004?
thanks in advance

[aceonbass]

I had my 4004Cii converted to fretless a few years back. My luthier actually cut the narrow white plastic strips used to fill the fret slots on the same radius as the fretboard so they would never pull up. After they were glued in place, he brushed a clear thin epoxy over the fretboard till it would soak in no more. I love the fretless sound with the DiAddario Chromes I use. I think total cost was around $200.00 at the time.

[marquezdl]

I had my 4004Cii converted to fretless a few years back. My luthier actually cut the narrow white plastic strips used to fill the fret slots on the same radius as the fretboard so they would never pull up. After they were glued in place, he brushed a clear thin epoxy over the fretboard till it would soak in no more. I love the fretless sound with the DiAddario Chromes I use. I think total cost was around $200.00 at the time.

Thanks a lot...any chance of seeing any pics? What type of music do you play?

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, Dave!

Here are a couple of pics of Dane's 4001CiiFL.

[aceonbass]

Thanks for posting those pics Joey. Dave, I play all sorts of stuff, but I really wanted a bass I could do all those cool slides and traveling harmonics on. The bass is real well suited to that classic 60's flat wound sound with the treble backed off and brighter than you'd think at full brightness.

[rickenbrother]

Thanks for posting those pics Joey.

Actually it was Joshua that posted them. I just linked to them.
I agree with you about D'Addario Chromes on a Rick FL. Really sweet sound!

[cassius987]

I agree with you about D'Addario Chromes on a Rick FL. Really sweet sound!

OT, but since you two love D'A Chromes on FL like I do...

I was at Guitars on Broadway (I think that's the name) in Denver today and was playing a vintage Stingray (fun!) when the sales rep walked up. I told him about my plight regarding D'Addario Chromes and how I cannot acquire my favorite gauges* from them without buying multiple sets, and singles aren't available. Apparently, as a retailer, he is able to order "custom sets" if I am willing to buy 4-6 at a time (which I most definitely would be in this case). So on Monday I'm expecting a call from him regarding this custom set... I'm psyched!

Flatwound D’Addario Chromes / tuned EADG
0.045 45.7
0.060 45.2
0.080 43.7
0.105 41.5
Avg 44.025
StDev 1.88569173868195
RSD 0.0428322938939681

[marquezdl]

Have any of you tried the LaBella Tapewounds on a Ric? Particularly on a fretless? I think that Chris Brubeck uses tapes of some sort on his highly modified fretless ric, but I am not sure about that.
Anyway, I love the labellas. there is something about the feel of them that is incredibly pleasing! almost sensuous!

[cassius987]

I think that Chris Brubeck uses tapes of some sort on his highly modified fretless ric, but I am not sure about that.

If I could get tension measurements from them, I'd try them. They seem fairly unbalanced if you can extrapolate tensional values from similar sets. I do believe that Chris Brubeck uses them though--and his tone is amazing.