Hard to see fretless fret-line markers. Seeking a solution.

[Steve_M]

Hi BC'ers

 

Little quandary that I'd like to probe the hive mind about 🙂

 

Bought a cheapo Harley Benton fretless jazz from Thomann that turned up today. First impression is that it's really not a bad bass for £150, although a tad heavy (4.8kg) and needed a bit of a setup straight from the box. The issue I have with it is the side fret-line markers are nigh-on impossible to see in any dim/subdued lighting!

 

Any of you lovely souls have an easy & elegant solution, before I go to the model shop for a fine brush and some white enamel paint?

 

Cheers all

 

Steve

[Jakester]

22 minutes ago, Steve_M said:

 

 

Any of you lovely souls have an easy & elegant solution, before I go to the model shop for a fine brush and some white enamel paint?

 

 

 Whisper it, this is what I've done in the past - using chalk paint (which washes/wipes off) or light acrylic paint (Games Workshop paints my son had). 

 

For a neat finish, you might want to use a stencil or tape to get really straight lines, but a quick bosh with a thin brush works too. You could even use luminous paint if you wanted. 

 

If you want something more permanent, and it's not a bound neck (assuming not as you mention the lines) you could partially cut out some of the fret lines on the fretboard and insert some brighter material and sand it back; fairly drastic though!

[Geek99]

Glow in the dark stickers from eBay 

[Stub Mandrel]

The side markers? As above, self  adhesive dots. Reversible but effective.

 

[alyctes]

Black tape and Tippex.  Works for me.

(My band-mates may disagree.  I couldn't possibly comment.)

 

There are two tricky bits: 

Lying the tape accurately along the edge of the board, and marking the lines.  The Tippex I get comes with a wedge-shaped foam brush, so you can put an accurate line on with it - buy a new bottle.

 

Doesn't affect the bass itself; if you want to return it to original, it's just a matter of taking the tape off.

Edited February 12 by alyctes

[Geek99]

If you get luminous stickers off eBay you can trim them into strips and so mark fret lines.

just give them a blast with your phone torch  and you’re good to go 

[Steve_M]

Thanks for all the input fellas - I went to my local Warhammer today and got some white base coat (it's got more pigment apparently 🤷‍♂️ - who knew!?). Taped it up with frog tape and slapped it on! It's run into the grain in a couple of places but that will clean up ok once it's fully dried. Does the job and now I can see where to put my sausages on a darkened stage 🙂

 

Only bought it for 2 songs - Boys Of Summer and New York Minute - they didn't sound right on a fretted bass IMO. Glad it's only 2 songs though as it's feckin' heavy compared to my other basses!

 

Still, I'm really rather impressed with it for the money - dare I say it sounds & plays better than the Fender Jaco Artist series I had a while back and that cost me over a grand.

 

 

[Geek99]

[ezbass]

8 hours ago, Steve_M said:

New York Minute

What a great tune that is.

[Steve_M]

2 hours ago, Geek99 said: