bass_in_ya_face Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Hi guys, I am planning to buy a Harley Benton HBB400FLTBK fretless bass but would like to mark out the fret markings myself. I have two questions really. I have discovered a few web sites that will work out where the fret markings should be if you tell it how long the scale length is and how many frets you want to add. Will this actually work? or would be easier to measure the markings on an existing bass I have with a similar scale length. Secondly, what would you use to mark the fret positions on the neck. I thought of very thin strips of tape but wondered if that would effect the sound? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_K Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 [quote]I have discovered a few web sites that will work out where the fret markings should be if you tell it how long the scale length is and how many frets you want to add. Will this actually work? or would be easier to measure the markings on an existing bass I have with a similar scale length.[/quote] Similar scale length won't be enough - it would have to be identical. I'd say use one of the fret calculator websites - or use a tuner and play chromatically up one string [quote]Secondly, what would you use to mark the fret positions on the neck. I thought of very thin strips of tape but wondered if that would effect the sound?[/quote] Thin strips of masking tape would probably be the best option, yes. Provided it's thin (in relief to the neck) it should not make a difference to the sound, as the action would have to be seriously low for them to get in the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_K Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Oh - keep in mind that if you use the distances off a website, you will get lines where "frets" would be, so obviously you have to play on the line rather than betweeen them like with frets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Most (but not all) unlined fretless have the dots where the frets would be. You could try just putting lines there to start with - see how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_in_ya_face Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 ok thanks lads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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