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Frets on a FL?
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:22 am
by congerz83
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:16 am
by ken_j
I could.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:02 am
by xakattack
i have been thinking the same thing.
any idea about how much it would cost?
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:30 am
by doctorwho
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:33 am
by jdogric12
I know very little, but I would be concerned about weakening the fretboard, neck, binding, etc.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:51 am
by wints
It's been done on a Ric already with no problems.
Go ahead and make it want you want...
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:06 am
by blueflamerick
Why not just sell the fretless and buy a 4003s?
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:58 am
by congerz83
Good luck finding a 4003S.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:27 pm
by xakattack
yep.
i see a lot more fretless than i do "s" series.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:40 pm
by blueflamerick
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:41 pm
by sloop_john_b
But a FL has binding. Is the issue here the inlays?
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:59 pm
by rickfan60
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:08 pm
by doctorwho
The dot markers are in the same positions as on a fretted dot-markered bass:
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:13 pm
by doctorwho
Maybe this cropped picture is a little better:
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:24 pm
by congerz83
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.