Fretted to fretless, wise move or.....

[jazzyvee]

Whilst Im dreaming for now, I have two alembics that I use least of all. One is a 5 string Bocate Europa and the other a 4 string all maple Elan 4 with Europa electronics and dual P-style pickups. Is it a big job for a luthier to convert either of these to fretless basses? I assume cheaper to pull and fill the frets compared to putting a new ebony board on?



Who has done it and what is the verdict?

[adriaan]

My Epic got defretted a good while ago. Went to a luthier with a good reputation, he pulled the frets and inlaid some darkened maple strips.


Only problem really was what to do with the adjustable nut, which is much too tall if you take the frets out of the equation. In the end I had the nut shaved down a few millimeters from the top, and the slots recut. The strings sit a hair above the fingerboard now.


For a while, I had the nut mounted without the base plate, but that way you risk damage to the front of the headstock.


Funny thing is the tone of the bass doesn't change much - just the articulation.

[edwardofhuncote]

Jazzy, if going with fret-lines in place of frets, *definitely* go with wood instead of plastic or fibre purfling... get something as close to ebony in density as possible. The fingerboard will expand and contract seasonally at a different rate than the inlay, which can cause some buzzing issues. I'm pretty sure (and if she can, please correct me) Mica said they used white holly for the sidelines on my Custom.

Be aware also, pearl inlay is problematic on fretless basses... the notes will land between the inlays, and that little bit of string travel is going to sound odd as the string oscillates against something other than wood.  I'm having a hard time remembering your Bocate Europa, but I seem to remember the double-P Elan did have pearl (oid?) oval inlay.

If you're set on a fretless bass (and I loudly applaud the idea, especially for you...  ) perhaps a trade may be in order. 

Good for you, man. Frets... pfft. Who needs 'em?   

[jazzyvee]

Interesting I never thought about the inlays which as you say that could be a problem. I'm not dead set for it just something that crosses my mind now and again. But now you mention that I have a non gigging non alembic bass that I use for practice away from home or the occasional rehearsal which has no inlay markers so that may be a less problematic way of doing it. However that one is 35" scale and I usually play 34 and 30.75 so I wonder if swapping between fretted and fretless 35" scale length might make it harder for me to find notes accurately on a 35" scale.

[edwardofhuncote]

If you can switch between short and long scales, I'd say the extra inch won't matter much Jazzy. I can tell you from experience, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll adjust to fretless, especially with the visual aid of fretlines. I grew up playing upright, so it was never completely foreign to me, but the first time I ever got to play a lined fretless bass guitar was quite a revelation.

Good luck, however you decide, but I think someone of your skill level would find fretless bass very rewarding.   

[slawie]

Hey Jazzy,

I will swap you my Series I fretless for one of your 5 string series I fretted basses.

slawie

[jazzyvee]

PM me with your bass pictures let's see what you have.

[slawie]

Jazzy, sent you a couple of emails with links

slawie

[jazzyvee]

Thanks for contacting me Slawie. :-)

[CaseyVancouver]

I do not have your answer about fretted conversion. I do have a positive opinion on playing fretless after playing fretted for 48 years.

Fretless is another wonderful tool for bass players. I try to play mine every day, along with fretted and upright basses. You will find a lot of big opinions out there on fretless technique and vibrato etc. I go with what works for me, but listen to everybody and everything.

Here is Tony Franklin, playing great rough and ready fretless:

For your reference, here is what Pedulla charges to do a conversion on a Pedulla.

[jazzyvee]

I have  made a decision on the fretless conversion and I have converted my thinking instead and gone with getting a Classico for fretless playing.
I've just had one lesson so far and hope this turns out to be the right move. :-)