Fretless bass conversion - filling the fret slots with wood.

[@slapitman]

Pro tip bro, mix some brown gouache with the wood glue it helps colour it and fills gaps

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

Thank you for the advice. It was my first time so it was all trial and error. I’m thinking about trying again with a P-bass so any more advice would be much appreciated.

[@slapitman]

@@bass-hiroshimanick2534 Of course. Ok, first using wood is correct, don't use epoxy putty, wood filler etc. You need to match the veneer thickness of the fret slot. it needs to be snug fit not loose. Tape the neck with masking tape up to the base of the neck slots. Clean the neck slots with a fret saw that matches the width of the veneer. These must be clean free of glue. Retain some of the dust from cleaning the slots as it can be useful if there is a gap. Cut the veneers to fit the slots with 5mm hang over on the edges. Don't pre glue the slots like you did in the video with wood glue. You need to get some thin super CA glue. Get it with a straw tip (from StewMac or a model shop). Once the slots are clean and each veneer is in an snug in its slot, take the super glue and trace the fret from each side with a simple stream of glue NOT TOO MUCH or it will run (that's why we taped the neck). Press the veneer flat and spray some super glue accelerator Over where you glued. Move on until all the frets lost are filled. You then need to take a craft knife and gentle saw all the extra bits of veneer off GO Gently, leaving about 2mm still exposed. You then need to match the neck radius with a sanding caul that is the same. To do this you need to know the neck radius and should have some gauges (look on amazon etc) or look up your guitars specs on manufacturers website. Use 250grit sandpaper on the caul and sand the fretboard to match the radius. Final step is to go over the fret you've just filled with some more CA glue/accelerator. Leave for 5 mins. Then sand again with 800grit. Vacuum. Now if you you have a maple board respray with nitro x4 coats and wet sand flat using the caul and 1500 wet dry. if it's Rosewood/ebony coat the neck with either lemon oil or epoxy thin spread and sand like above. Job done.\

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

@@slapitman , thank you this information it definitely helps a lot and I appreciate you taking the time to write it out so clearly. As soon as I find a cheap, used Precision style bass I will be referring back to your message, it’s gonna come in real handy. I hope you don’t mind me reaching out to you if I have a question or two. Thanks again.

[@slapitman]

@@bass-hiroshimanick2534 of course my friend. I’ve been a luthier and makers for 40 years so happy to pass on the knowledge.

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

@@slapitman , thanks! I'll keep you posted as soon as I get the next neck started.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Yes! I did this last year. So cool! You R😢ock brother! Awesome as always

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

Thanks Mike, appreciate it. How did your fretless bass come out?

[@Terry3Gs]

nice idea & job !!

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

Thank you Terry.

[@ThunderBassistJay]

Nice job! 👍

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

Thank you Jay!

[@tvviewer4500]

Cool. Did you smooth out the fret slots before inserting the veneers?

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

Thanks for watching, appreciate it. Yes, I did clean and smooth out the slots.

[@altriplett9099]

Where’s a good place, to source veneers?

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

@@altriplett9099 , I live in Japan so I got the veneer at a craft/home center store. Sorry, outside of Japan I wouldn’t know where to get the veneer.