Fretless Bass Conversion...Cyanoacrylate Super Glue Finish

[@DarrenHicklin]

Sean when my kids were little and still into hammock camping, we would cuddle up on the couch and watch your videos during the cold winters. Now they’re all grown and the youngest two are in a rock band. Imagine my surprise when looking for bass videos, I stumbled back upon your channel. My youngest daughter (now 16) and I once again snuggled up on the couch to watch your video. Thank you so much!!! Now you’ll have to excuse me because someone is cutting onions in my living room.

[@shugemery]

I just love your comment! I'm all in on bass!!! Hope she is too.

[@christianfoster3806]

Having done this a few times, I'd recommend applying a few coats of CA glue, and using a leveling beam to level it.

[@shugemery]

Noted for next time. Cheers

[@JasumZ]

Wow! I'm amazed at how well that turned out, and even more impressive that it was your first time. She looks great and sounds fantastic!

[@shugemery]

I was too. When it glossed up after buffing I was so happy I took this on. Not a perfect job but since it is just for me I'm satisfied. Thank you.

[@EverydayKindaGuy]

Nice looking conversion. I like that you didn't fill or use a dark filler material, still gives you a visual representation of where you're fingering.

[@shugemery]

I need to know where the frets would be as I'm less than 2 years into the bass.

[@mat-ventures]

Really interesting process! Almost therapeutic! :) The result is beautiful! Great job, Shug!

[@shugemery]

It very much was therapeutic for me!!!

[@MrSnmpsniffer]

Nice!! Looks like a cool project!

[@shugemery]

It was very satisfying to do. Thankee.

[@cgriggsiv]

Can't wait to hear what it sounds like when it's finished

[@shugemery]

There are clips of me playing it at the end.....

[@cgriggsiv]

@@shugemery Yes I heard that that sounds really good

[@mat-ventures]

I really love the miniature set at 2:16 ! WOW

[@shugemery]

A guy carved that of Hickery and I.

[@joehorton01]

Ol shug. A man of many hats

[@shugemery]

I like hats. I have hats. Many hats.

[@kevshelley]

What a great, peaceful project Shug. Sounds great, those extra coats and patience definitely paid off! ✌🏼🎸☕️

[@shugemery]

Thanks. I had so much fun putting the coats on. Glad it paid off. The tone of that bass is so different now.

[@bobmillerick300]

Very nice sir. 😎 Play those blues

[@shugemery]

Thankee Bob. It was not far removed from building a control line plane.

[@bobmillerick300]

@@shugemery Very true as Ukie season will soon be in full bloom. Wooo Buddyyy

[@terryboehler5752]

Made a bass fretless for my son. Worked fine. All he ever wanted to be was a bass player and a basketball player. Two areas where, as a Dad, i had ZERO skills or knowledge. He is 35 now and has maintained the course as a bass player. Its taken him to places I've never seen. Across the Atlantic even. The basketball thing he let go away. Now he works out diligently. Very disciplined.

[@shugemery]

That is really wonderful that you invested in your son's bass dream and he took it and is seeing the world. This comment made my day. Art takes discipline. Weeds the posers out. You seem a top notch Dad.

[@outdoorwally8430]

Pretty cool👍

[@shugemery]

Thankee.

[@LifeInBama]

That turned out really nice. Sounded good. Well worth the effort!

[@shugemery]

Thanks and thankee.

[@VIandVII_VIIIths]

The Title had me thinking that this would be about using glue to change the behavior of an overconfident fish. The actual video was much more interesting. Thank you much!

[@shugemery]

Though I would like to see the video of the overconfident fish getting a glue conversion~~!!!

[@RhodySeth]

Lot of treasures there in that Shug Workshop. Truly you are a man of many talents. The fretless Music Man sounds great! Mayhap I'll try something similar with mine...

[@shugemery]

I do have a lot of good memories all over in the Nut Hut. I'f you do a fret job good fret pullers really helped. I got a pair at Stew Mac. But there are other techniques on You Tube ...of course.

[@nute923]

On top of everything else, now you're a luthier too? Renaissance man!

[@shugemery]

Just a dabbler. I do find it interesting. Might become a side hustle! I watched a few videos and said I best just dive in and try. Was not really as difficult as one might think. If I can build a control line airplane I knew I could do this.

[@Bluegrassified]

I am a fellow hammocker who is also a mandolin and guitar player, but I also play a fretless bass. I bought an Ibanez SR Bass Workshop Fretless! Love it. I still have an Ibanez 5 string fretted and my Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray fretted basses. Good luck with this project and your continuing bass journey! This is quite an undertaking. I have considered it. You may inspire me to convert my 5 string to fretless!

[@shugemery]

I proper fret puller helped a lot. Got mine at Stew Mac....www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/pullers-nippers-sizing/fret-puller/

[@kat.p.b.5193]

man, that is a beautiful instrument, sounds good and looks like fun to play...always fun to see the nut hut 😻 the world is exciting with lots of different interests! so cool!

[@shugemery]

Thanks for checking it out Kat.....

[@ForrestThump]

Looks awesome sir! Sounds great too! Your playing is inspiring!

[@shugemery]

Thank you. It brings joy. Joy is my calling card~~

[@TerryC69]

Hi Shug! Neighbor, y'all lit into that job like you knew what you were up to. Looks great!

[@shugemery]

I studied up and dove in. Was not really as hard as I thought it might be. Thankee.

[@cbluebeard]

Now you can get into the Michael Manring stuff!

[@shugemery]

I'll have to look him up//////

[@cbluebeard]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqqQfXatjb6pptEsi=9AuhZWRR4jaVf_s1

[@stephen.mcguire]

I've never played an instrument and I think that's been a benefit to my family over the years. Instruments are really cool but when you said fretless bass I'd no clue as to what you were talking about. Glad I watched, though I'd be no judge of how it came out other than it looks pretty darn cool. :)

[@shugemery]

Thankee Stephen.

[@kimrice394]

I would have never tried this til you made it look doable. Cheers.

[@shugemery]

Try it. It was a fun and satisfying project. I hope to do it again someday.

[@marinamile]

Having dabbled in some similar guitar projects, this was very cool to watch. Looks awesome and your playing has really gotten good. cheers!!

[@shugemery]

A very satisfying project to do. And to film a bit. Thank you on the playing. I do enjoy it.

[@ekhaat]

Beautiful job

[@shugemery]

Thankee!

[@TomTheTaxPayer]

That was so cool!! Nice craftmanship!

[@shugemery]

Appreciate it Tom.

[@joesneon]

Whoo Buddy!! I have made many 3 string fretted cigar box guitars. I recently became fretless myself, I inherited my mothers 270 year old German violin! Because I play the mandolin I play my fiddle with my eyes closed. Three months at it and love the fiddle!! Do you have one! I really enjoyed this video!! Thanks Shug, Joe

[@shugemery]

That is cool Joe. I don't have a fiddle. All in the bowing hand right?

[@joesneon]

@@shugemery Yep!

[@megadawg342]

Wow... is right. Well done.

[@shugemery]

It was a really satisfying and fun project. I don’t play that bass as much as my fretted basses I know I’ll grow into it in time.

[@Jackman_NC]

Dude that turned out great and sounds great too!

[@shugemery]

Thankee! Enjoyed doing the project.

[@rebeccasilveous8898]

Oh my gosh Sean. Is there anything that you can't do? To take a guitar and remove the metal frets and then make it fretless is just outstanding. What a task and you made it look easy. And it plays like a dream. I bet you're not going to sell it now. That's for sure!

[@shugemery]

I watched a few videos and said I best just dive in and try. Was not really as difficult as one might think. If I can build a control line airplane I knew I could do this. Loving playing it. Thankee Rebecca

[@notice_fpv]

Nice! Loved the jam at the end, too!

[@shugemery]

Thanks and thankee....

[@ianandrewdonnelly6507]

Remarkable. Top job. Ian

[@shugemery]

Thankee. It is not perfect but came out better than I thought it might for this old half-asser!

[@barondavis5692]

Nice work Shug.

[@shugemery]

Thank you kindly Baron.

[@yobentley7274]

Very ambitious.

[@shugemery]

It was a soothing project actually. Pulling frets was the scariest part but once I did one it was on.

[@CampfireTalk]

ASMR Shug video...the best turned out great!

[@shugemery]

I really enjoyed doing this video. Partial-ASMR.

[@daviddevine1757]

Thats a fine job shug..

[@shugemery]

Thankee. And a very fun project.

[@defiantly_emily]

As someone who’s first instrument was fretless (cello), it has been a real adjustment to switch to fretted instruments (mandolin and banjo). This might be a fun project to turn a mando fretless. Thanks, Shug!

[@shugemery]

Fretless mando.........hmmmmm. I've never seen one. But.....wait a minute....kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOcco1mgdKDaZosi=nEjZCE-rzYOjNFYx

[@defiantly_emily]

@@shugemery hmm no disrespect to the person who put that video together. But it seems like they are already opposed to the idea and unwilling to hear the potential there. I really liked how that fretless mando sounded. Did it sound like a mando? … somewhat but it definitely was missing something (frets maybe? 😁) Thanks for finding and sharing. Edit: probably won’t be taking the frets off my starter mando anytime soon.

[@shugemery]

@@defiantly_emily I think my mando will keep it's frets. I did not love the sound of it. Maybe just his playing.

[@ToddStull]

That bass needs a maple burl pick guard with a shug logo inlay with walnut veneer.. right in that space in front of the pickup. That'd make'r super custom 👌

[@shugemery]

Yes....oh yes it does. That project may beyond my skills.

[@ckyrooster]

Noyce! Looks and sounds good!

[@shugemery]

Thanks a ton and a bunch and a whole lot.

[@uptrail7169]

Nice project and it sounds good. My mother passed away last night and it's been hard on me. Your videos always lift me up.😀

[@shugemery]

My condolences to you in this tough and sad time. Never easy losing Mom. peace.

[@jimhendrix7566]

Pretty dang cool Shug. Nice work. Maybe one day we'll see Bass by Shug in a store near you! 😂

[@shugemery]

My new side hustle.....

[@johnphillips3526]

Pretty soon you’ll be like Guy Clark, and make your own guitars. You could call them Sector 7 Guitars. Well done!

[@shugemery]

Funny. I do want to make one. They sell kits. That would be a fun start.

[@ChrisChiappini]

Good Shug! The Chicken sounded great!

[@shugemery]

Thank so much Chris. How goes the juggling life??? Still tossing?

[@ChrisChiappini]

@@shugemery eh zero juggling, but I’ll be teching for my magic friend at the Steele County MN fair this summer again!

[@CrownJewelzMusicGroup]

Looks badass bro u got skillz

[@shugemery]

Mucho appreciato Crown

[@CrownJewelzMusicGroup]

@@shugemery bro do fancy doin a bassline or 2 in the future if i send you the beats without bassline

[@ergot57]

Well done. I can't help but wonder what a ballad sung by carl while accompanying himself on bass would sound like. I mean that is a purty bass.

[@shugemery]

Karl has to learn to sing while playing.......soundcloud.com/seanemery2/karl-childers-sings-here-we-come-a-caroling?in=seanemery2/sets/seans-plays-songs&si=bd2b6a2e91f64e2ba19af615433d8c79&

[@ergot57]

@@shugemery LOL Thanks

[@steves9522]

I think Shug should play a variant of Wolverine in the new Deadpool movie, the mutton chops are top shelf!

[@shugemery]

Maybe the Olden Badger......

[@kevchard5214]

Shug a little trick you may want to try is use a tuner to determine where on the fret is in tune. Remember you removed the set location for each note but frets are never perfect in the first place for each string but with a fretless you can fine tune your sound. Good choice to remove the frets. Fretless is great for jazz.

[@shugemery]

Getting used to the feel. I am smitten with it. Lots to learn but the finger roll helps with pitch. The project was very satisfying.

[@kevchard5214]

@@shugemery I prefer fretless, for me it allows more nuance with playing. I have a Ibanez fretless I have played Jazz on for around 30 years and still learning tricks every time I pick it up. Welcome to the never ending wonder of the Bass. P. S. your slaps are getting much better.

[@shugemery]

@@kevchard5214 It is tougher slapping a fretless with those tape wounds! Had to slapp 'er with vigor! Thankee. Wish I had discovered my bass love long ago but it is perfect for my life right now. The only way to be new at something is too take up something new. Here is to Nuance.

[@kevchard5214]

@@shugemery Its never too late to try something new I always say.

[@anna.okelani]

You did such a great job on it ! Wow I'm looking to turn a vintage jazz bass into a fretless , that has block fret marks on the fretboard. How would you go about that? Thank you !

[@shugemery]

Thank you. Were it me I'd just leave the blocks on like I did the round fret markers on mine. Also since you say the bass is "vintage" you could order a fretless neck perhaps. reverb.com/marketplace?query=fretless%20bass%20neck&product_type=parts

[@martintvingsholm]

…flot resultat Mr. Emery 👌🏻💪🏻

[@shugemery]

Tak skal du have~~

[@browsman2328]

Jack Bruce would be proud of you.

[@shugemery]

I do seek Jack's approval~~ Ginger's approval is very hard to get.

[@browsman2328]

Unfortunately both of them have passed on and yes Ginger could be a little ornery but he was Scottish which might explain that.

[@mikenewren6847]

Damn shug you never cease to amaze me. Your the reason i started hiking, i appreciate good coffee and now your a luther... man of my own heart!

[@shugemery]

Whooooo Buddy))) Mike. Do you play?

[@garyhyett1265]

Tony Levin would be proud of you...!

[@shugemery]

I was thinking of him the whole time….

[@altriplett9099]

Where’s a good place to source veneers? Thanks for the great video!

[@shugemery]

I actually got mine on amazon.

[@gs_weiss]

for RC models I used to make fiberglass pieces using CA instead of epoxy and would use a plastic bag or cling film over my finger or the part to smooth the CA. Doesn't stick to the zip lock bag material.

[@shugemery]

So you don't have a need to chew the CA off of your fingertips!

[@joesneon]

Playing fretless will truly refine your ear.

[@shugemery]

I'm hoping so. Just feels and sounds so different. Smitten with it.

[@Ausf.D.A.K.]

Very interesting information. I just found out that Kiesel guitars actually use cyanoacrylate for their fretless "hard-as-nails" finishes. How does this compare to epoxy? Is it more durable?

[@shugemery]

Well, the CA is holding up really well. Got a hard hard finish on it. I can’t say whether epoxy would be better but all I know is I didn’t have to do any mixing with the CA and those were the instructions I had so that’s what I did.

[@Ausf.D.A.K.]

@@shugemery Yeah, that's certainly true. Thank you!

[@Djole_NS246]

Thank you for this video. Lucky you didn't sell that bass. It turned out very well in the end. What is the experience with the CA coating after three months? Is it hard enough that there are no wire marks on it? And, I know it's too late for you, but maybe for someone else. You can save a little time and effort with this trick: don't pull out the frets, just sand them down to the level of the fretboard. That way, you'll have the space filled, and you'll have a mark where the note is. Further, everything goes like in this video.

[@shugemery]

It has held up very well. No string marks that I can see. I do tend to play my fretted bass more but feel I will grow into fretless as my bass journey continues. Thanks.

[@Djole_NS246]

@@shugemery Thank you. Cheers!

[@shugemery]

@@Djole_NS246 I do have tape wound strings on it though. Very smooth strings.

[@Djole_NS246]

@@shugemery They sound really good. And even for playing, it wouldn't be said that it's only two years :)

[@shugemery]

@@Djole_NS246 It will be 2 years in December. I am truly enjoying the bass. My mandolin has to plead with me to playin. Thankee.

[@russhay422]

In 1989 I was 10 years old. What a fun project!

[@shugemery]

Wow....I was 31~ And yes the project was satisfying for sure.

[@joelrussell1662]

Shug have you ever listened to the song “ Please do not go” by the Violent Femmes? Great heavy bass driven song w/ amazing solo. Check it out dude.

[@shugemery]

I had to look that up. Yes, great bass line. He seems to play an acoustic type bass. Always heard of that band but really never listened. Thankee....

[@GreenmanWood]

Hi, around 6:49 you say that you’ve moved on the medium CA. What did you use for the first coat?

[@shugemery]

I used thin CA for the very first coat. Fun project.

[@GreenmanWood]

​@shugemery thanks!

[@Suppplex]

What about that ambidextrous knife handling at 00:52? Whoo buddy!

[@shugemery]

Jugglers use both and relish dangerous objects.

[@padude131]

Beautiful job! I just hope you didn't "fret" on any mistakes you might have made!! I didn't see any! Woo buddy!!

[@shugemery]

Thankee Pa......fret not I say.

[@mat-ventures]

At 2:09 Was it Medaglia D'oro ?

[@shugemery]

Actually espresso and hot water...Americano.

[@flawless_royal4056]

If I just pull the frets and throw the strings on would it work?

[@shugemery]

I think it would work more or less. Not sure how well as I never tried it.

[@franshuber910]

Don't take it to a gig yet!! Lol 😆

[@shugemery]

I just play for fun and something to do. Not in a band or gig. So with that I can easily heed your advice.

[@mysund]

All secure around fret 7?

[@shugemery]

Haaaa.....yes, and harmonic too.

[@jrreed6992]

Shug the Luthier.

[@shugemery]

I am dabbling. Maybe a side hustle someday.

[@elliotwilliams7421]

Great video mate.......Buy a vice 😂

[@elliotwilliams7421]

End result is beautiful mate. I just spent the weekend sanding and oiling my chopping boards, kitchen utensils and axe handle. Its the simple things

[@shugemery]

I have a vice or two. Bad habits. But I do have a vise.... Old metal one. Someday a wood clamp vise.

[@shugemery]

Oiling wood is very satisfying isn't it. Funny...I just lemon oiled out dining table and a side table. They look so good and drank in the lemon oil. Thankee....

[@elliotwilliams7421]

@@shugemery hahaha bugger off. How did the bass play? did you enjoy fretless? I do not know what it is about wood working, simple things for simple people.

[@elliotwilliams7421]

​@@shugemery Scalloped neck next?

[@JeffCzarnecki-j1h]

Check out the bass player on that.

[@shugemery]

He is my cousin! Kingfish can tear it up.

[@jimharrow8104]

Far out.. never played a fretless Bass, nor built one... So, are you still thinking about selling it ? Let me answer that for you... Noooooo... lol..

[@shugemery]

Oh the sale is off. This is a keeper fo' sho'

[@jimharrow8104]

@@shugemery Lol... I Noooooo