Lined Fretless First World Problem

[Frank Blank]

I was lucky enough this year to acquire a fretless Rob Allen Mouse, until I played one I didn’t realise it was my dream bass fulfilling instrument. It is almost perfect apart from the fret marker lines are difficult to see from the top edge of the neck and do not extend down to the bottom of the fingerboard.

Before...

...before the play in the dark, don’t look, have an unmarked fretboard contingent get on my case, yes, perhaps in the future when I’m a far better player but for now I need all the visual help I can get from the markings on the neck, actually feel free to persuade me otherwise, I never underestimate the wisdom of the BC community. I digress, so my bass is going to the luthier tomorrow to have some kind of fret line extensions put in that will extend down the width of the fingerboard. Much as I have complete faith in my luthier (it only took me thirty years to find one who actually produced excellent results) the thought of a saw cutting through the neck of a bass that I love more than 99% of the people I know* is rather nausea inducing! I will do an ‘after’ pic once the work is done and you are all welcome to come try it out at the South East Bass Bash.

*this is actually not too difficult as I am an equal opportunities misanthrope.

Edited September 2, 2018 by Frank Blank
Fudge Packing

[BassBunny]

Get the dots changed for larger Luminlay ones would be my choice.

Edited September 2, 2018 by BassBunny

[Frank Blank]

2 minutes ago, BassBunny said:

Get the dots changed for larger Luminlay ones would be my choice.

The dots are not the problem they are fine, it’s the ends of the fret lines I need to see.

[BassBunny]

Gotcha. 

[Frank Blank]

3 minutes ago, BassBunny said:

Gotcha. 

My fault entirely, I’ve included a close up now so you can see how small the fret line ends are. If it were marked (dots wise) like an unlined fretless with the edge dots marking the fret positions I’d be fine.

[HazBeen]

I had the same issue on my BB, solved by a black permanent marker (fine tip) on the maple.

[Frank Blank]

1 minute ago, HazBeen said:

I had the same issue on my BB, solved by a black permanent marker (fine tip) on the maple.

I have had stickers and tried markers, I just want something permanent and it’s such a shame to sully this beautiful instrument with such things.

[HazBeen]

Just now, Frank Blank said:

I have had stickers and tried markers, I just want something permanent and it’s such a shame to sully this beautiful instrument with such things.

Then the solution is to add dots (luminlay possible) to the back of the fretlines.

[Frank Blank]

5 minutes ago, HazBeen said:

Then the solution is to add dots (luminlay possible) to the back of the fretlines.

It’s a solution, sure.

[Hellzero]

This is what you need : http://www.luminlay.com/shopen_fret lines.html

With the torch to charge them, of course, or a cell phone front light (which works very well too).

[Frank Blank]

19 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

This is what you need : http://www.luminlay.com/shopen_fret lines.html

With the torch to charge them, of course, or a cell phone front light (which works very well too).

Yes, I have considered these but I don’t really need the luminosity, perhaps if this first solution doesn’t cut it.

[Shaggy]

Tipp-Ex fine correction pen lines sealed with clear nail varnish

Nail varnish remover will take it all off without affecting the varnish (assuming it's Poly)

[Frank Blank]

21 minutes ago, Shaggy said:

Tipp-Ex fine correction pen lines sealed with clear nail varnish

Nail varnish remover will take it all off without affecting the varnish (assuming it's Poly)

This is a new one! Great idea though...

[Shaggy]

(See pic) - a bit hard to see, but fret lines & dots to left are reinforced with Tipp-Ex, ones to right aren't (my '77 Ovation Magnum 1 fretless)

recently used the missus's sparkly iridescent clear nail varnish - really catches the light! 

[Bridgehouse]

Surprised nobody has piped up with the “man up and do it by feel” line 

 

Cos obvs I’m a fretless expert now... 

[Frank Blank]

I do t feel proficient enough to do that yet, although I do think it is something that’ll happen with time, which is an improvement on how I felt at first, until then I need all the help I can get!

 

[Bridgehouse]

2 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

I do t feel proficient enough to do that yet, although I do think it is something that’ll happen with time, which is an improvement on how I felt at first, until then I need all the help I can get!

 

I feel your pain...

[drTStingray]

On 2 September 2018 at 15:32, BassBunny said:

Get the dots changed for larger Luminlay ones would be my choice.

This!! Even on fretted basses some players do this - this month's BGM shows pics of Guy Pratt's 64 J and P basses in burgundy mist - he has added huge dots on top of the fretboard.

My Fretless is unlined but I use the dots on the top as a point of reference - I only realised how much I rely on that when I played a gig where the lighting created varied visibility of the top of the neck. So long as I have the reference points I'm ok!! 

 

[therealting]

If I were you, I’d get big Luminlay dots inlaid at the position markers. The ones with the ring around them, they make it so much more readable. You could also have small dots inlaid between the bigger ones. 

Edited September 4, 2018 by therealting

[Frank Blank]

Just had an email from my luthier who has completed the work on the RA Mouse to extend the fret lines, here’s before and after shots...

Before...

After...

Edited September 16, 2018 by Frank Blank