Frets on a FL?

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:22 am

Hypothetical question. If one were to find a FL bass with the finish of your dreams, could one add frets and be able to sleep at night.

Hmmm..... something to ponder.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:16 am

I could.

xakattack · Post by **xakattack** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:02 am

i have been thinking the same thing.

any idea about how much it would cost?

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:30 am

It's been done, because I have seen some examples of this procedure. No idea about the cost. You might cross-post this under The Vibrola section where the luthiers-in-house can see it.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:33 am

I know very little, but I would be concerned about weakening the fretboard, neck, binding, etc.

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:51 am

It's been done on a Ric already with no problems.

Go ahead and make it want you want...

blueflamerick · Post by **blueflamerick** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:06 am

Why not just sell the fretless and buy a 4003s?

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:58 am

Good luck finding a 4003S.

xakattack · Post by **xakattack** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:27 pm

yep.
i see a lot more fretless than i do "s" series.

blueflamerick · Post by **blueflamerick** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:40 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-rickenbacker-bass-1982-4003-used_W0QQitemZ110040048110QQihZ001QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There's at least 1 one Ebay every other week.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:41 pm

But a FL has binding. Is the issue here the inlays?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:59 pm

The FL has dot markers because the resin inlays used on the deluxe models would wear down with regular string contact. Converting a fretless to a fretted bass would require rebinding the fingerboard. The original binding would have to come off to allow the fret slots to be cut. Also, I don't know if the inlays are in the normal positions or on the fret lines. If they are on the lines, it would be easier to replace the fingerboard altogether. Otherwise, it would be a relatively simple conversion. Fret jobs these days are between $200 and $300. The neck binding job would be another $150-$200. Then add the cost of a partial re-fin. The entire job would be in the $500+ range.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:08 pm

The dot markers are in the same positions as on a fretted dot-markered bass:

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:13 pm

Maybe this cropped picture is a little better:

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:24 pm

Call me crazy but I hate the triangle inlays, that's why I posted this question. Mr. Hall we need the 4003S brought back. I'm sure i'm not the only one perhaps a couple "hundo" cheaper, and you would have a best seller on your hands.