Author Topic: Factory Defret? (Read 226 times)

lowphatbass · « **on:** April 12, 2005, 01:10:38 PM »

Greetings, this is my first post here. I thought I would go to the source for some advice I've been seeking. Thanks in advance for your time..
I have a Elan 5 that I purchased new (#92h7167). Some years back the bass was taken by a family member and was subjected to drug induced trama. The finish was sanded off, the bass was stained black, electronics removed, etc. I have most the electronics. I have contacted Alembic a while back and am relatively aware of what I can expect to pay for a refinish.
My question is: I could use a fretless, this bass' body is maple/q-maple with walnut trim, the neck is maple/p.h. w/ an ebony fretboard. One sticking point is the Oval fret marking inlay, although it would not effect tone or playability the bass still wearing these markers would not look correct to me as a fretless, but I may be able to deal with it. The bass spoke very brightly and clearly and would seem to have great fretless potential, to me. Do you think having it defretted while bieng refinished/rewired at the factory is advisable..I know this will likely cost more than the resale value of the bass but I will never sell it so...cost aside, is this a good idea??

(Message edited by lowphatbass on April 12, 2005)

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:00:00 PM »

Hello Lowphat,
welcome to the club.

Converting a bass to fretless is no problem, although we are fairly expensive; any competent luthier could do the job no sweat and would likely cost you less. Still, if you feel more comfortable with us doing it, that can be arranged, of course.

Valentino

lowphatbass · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:16:27 PM »

Thanks for the quick response valvil, much appreciated!! I was editing-in some additional info to my original post as you were responding, I probably should have done a second post. I'll check back later after work to read any additional comments any club members have..

bob · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:56:51 PM »

Welcome. I did a quick search on whole words 'replace' AND 'fingerboard', and found at least a couple of discussions I vaguely remembered:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/8831.html#POST16023

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/3398.html

In short, if you have Alembic do it you would most likely be getting a whole new fingerboard (but of course you should confirm that and get a current price estimate).

As a benefit, the side dot marks would also end up in the right place - personally, I would find ovals, filled fret slots, and wrong dot mark positions to be a real distraction.

Interesting note about the nut height in the second thread above, hadn't thought about that. Better yet, you could consider switching to an ebony nut.

If you're going to send it back for the other work, and can afford it, I'd say it's the only way to go.
-Bob

valvil · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2005, 05:12:15 PM »

Hello again,

after reading your edited post, I'd say that replacing the fretboard would be the way to go; if you have any non-wood inlays in a fretless fingerboard, the sound would change pretty radically the moment you fret or slide over them.

Valentino

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2005, 08:25:45 PM »

Very true, which assumes the inlays are completely flush to the fingerboard.
I once had a toothless five of another make that had this problem, and it was disruptive to say the least.

lowphatbass · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2005, 12:23:45 AM »

Thanks Folks!! I really feel that if this is something I am going to do, I should do it RIGHT(this bass has been through enough already, I would post pics but many would greatly disturbed, it took me almost a year just to open the case again after I got it back). Not to say that a fantastic luthier couldn't do the job(I know a great one) but I would rather have it done to factory specsif, like Bob said, if I can afford it. I think I will request a price estimate and go from there..
Thanks again everybody!! My Alembic and I will be back!!

petiteblonde · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2005, 08:08:55 AM »

Perhaps you wouldn't mind posting the before shots along with the after. It is uplifting to see what miracles can be performed on abused basses.

wayne · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2005, 10:15:01 AM »

Go ahead and post before and after pics. Anything you've got can't be worse that the plight of The Dark and The Light....

http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/701.html

C-Ya.............wayne

lowphatbass · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2005, 06:42:59 PM »

Thanks again everybody!!! Due to financial reasons it will probably be a while before I have any "after" photos to share...I'll make sure to fully document the process when the time is right for it to happen. Here's a quick tast of the horror to satisfy the curious, can believe this was done to "camoflage" the bass, like spray painting a stolen bike or something!?!?!

(Message edited by davehouck on April 15, 2005)

palembic · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2005, 10:47:30 PM »

Anyway ...I love the looks of this bass. It will be very worthfull to restore it in his original/playable shape, fretless or not.
She just got the looks.

Paul TBO