aj5string Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Hi... Im going to de-fret a bass, but am un-sure where to get some thin wood to use for fret markers from. I dont really want to use filler, and would like nice clean fret lines. Cheers. Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Veneer, of whatever sort of wood you fancy, online searching or a wood place will sort you. If you are really cheap, score offcuts from some woodworker, in a variety of shades so you can code your fretlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_K Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I have a load of mahogany veneer somewhere you're welcome to. Quite thin, I don't remember the exact thickness at the minute - but I would say it is about as wide as a fret-gap, if not you could double up I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj5string Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 That would be ideal, except i'm de-fretting a bass with a rosewood fingerboard, and would ideally like to see the fretlines - i'm guessing it'd be a bit dark? Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 [quote name='aj5string' post='81062' date='Oct 29 2007, 11:18 PM']That would be ideal, except i'm de-fretting a bass with a rosewood fingerboard, and would ideally like to see the fretlines - i'm guessing it'd be a bit dark? Alex.[/quote] Mahogany inlays in a Jacaranda (if you believe the catalogue) fretboard. Admittedly I haven't given it a dose of Lemon Oil yet which will darken things down, but they're still quite visible close up. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_K Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I've held it up to a rosewood fingerboard I have here and it seems paler to be honest. Not by far - but still, even better if you can see the lines but someone 6 feet away can't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj5string Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 pm sent... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovedub Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Whenever I've de-freted a bass I've filed the frets down, flush with the fingerboard. This leaves you with nice thin silver lines. It looks really nice and you won't be altering the structural integrity of anything. File at 45 degrees to the frets, changing sides frequently so that your cuts oppose each other. Make sure that the file is plaining at least two frets at any given time. This prevents the edges of the file from grabbing and gives you a nice even cut. Start with a relatively rough file and work your way down to low gauge wet and dry paper on a block. Finish with oil and give it some mwahhhhh! You'll have no problems seeing the lines. Because they are silver they reflect stage lights. Here's one I prepared earlier ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synaesthesia Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) Use your clothes iron to heat the frets a bit, and you can pull them out with a fine edge as a lever or use a fret puller, or nipper. Do one and look at how the tangs bite into the fingerboard and your common sense will tell you how the rest willl need to come out. A veneer insert will always be cleaner to look at and will look like a line, a filled slot may look a little craggly depending on the type of frets used and how you pull them out. You may need a fret saw to deepen the slot a bit, as it makes it easier to deal with a bit more depth than the fret tang. Cut the veneers to the width or depth as close as you need so you can minimise excessive sanding on the fingerboard. An X Acto craft scalpel or an actual medical scalpel will work well with a steel rule on a cutting mat, the art & craft shops or the marquetry suppliers can sell hyou a craft scalpel. You can get 1 - 3mm veneer easily, and you may want to have bright/ dark contrast, or match the fingerboard if you don't need the lines to be seen. You can also use plastic strips. Either way if you do inserts, you may want to consider a colourless glue. If you are after the fashionable gloss mirror finish on your fingerboard, google 'System Three", the product you want is Mirror Coat 2 part epoxy. It is available in the UK from boat building suppliers. Edited October 30, 2007 by synaesthesia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj5string Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote name='synaesthesia' post='81326' date='Oct 30 2007, 04:30 PM']If you are after the fashionable gloss mirror finish on your fingerboard, google 'System Three", the product you want is Mirror Coat 2 part epoxy. It is available in the UK from boat building suppliers.[/quote] Do you know where i can get hold of that in the UK? I've started the de-fret. Am taking my time, have done 5 frets so far, and its going ok! Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj5string Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 have just re-read your post. Will have to contact some boat suppliers then :-) Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.