Defretting question

[Oh! Henry]

I'm considering defretting my SR5. I know EB uses Pau ferro for frettless basses. But is rosewood hard enough to withstand longterm abuse of strings rubing directly on it? BTW If I do it, I'll have it done professionaly.

Thanks
Henry

 

[thunder]

you crazy. just wait for a neck on ebay,status neck (graphite) or an after market neck. it might cost about the same ($400.) and you won't chance ruining the orignal. maybe some of the other fourms people can help you acquire a freetless 5 string neck (maybe even cheaper).

 

[adouglas]

Remember that Jaco yanked the frets out of his Jazz, filled in the slots and painted the rosewood fretboard with epoxy.

So yes, it can be done.

That doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Instead of doing that, why not just sell the SR5 and buy a fretless SR5 using the proceeds? If the money your current SR5 brings won't cover it, add the money you would have paid to have the frets pulled.

Besides, you should consider getting a piezo-equipped fretless anyway.

If you've simply got the itch to try a fretless on a budget, there are better ways to go for not much money. Such as a fretless SUB5, for example, if you can find one.

SR5 resale value = Decent

Modified SR5 resale value = Seriously, would you buy someone else's arts and crafts project for a decent price? I wouldn't. I might buy it, but I'd give all the cash (or other negotiable instruments) in my pocket at the time for such a thing. Which right now is about two and a half bucks.

Getting the right tool for the job in the first place... priceless.

 

[Oh! Henry]

I wouldn't have the guts to hack at my SR5 myself, so if I was gonna do it, I'd have it done professionaly.

It's my first EBMM bass, a 2006 ltd edition, which is why I want to keep it, but I don't play it anymore since I got my 20th SR5. Your right about selling + money from defretting job would probably pay for a new fretless.

...............maybe it's time for a fretless Bongo!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[adouglas]

Wait a minute.

You're actually considering hacking up not only a perfectly good, nearly new SR5, but a LIMITED EDITION?

I'm going to tell your mother.



But hey, it's your bass. Have at it.

 

[Caca de Kick]

It would be very foolish to do that, especially to an LE. Kiss the value of that bass goodby.

Just as Adouglas recommended...just wait til a used neck pops up for sale somewhere, or put your ~200 dollars toward a used fretless SUB.

 

[Oh! Henry]

NOT MY MOM!!!!!!


I understand that the value would plumet! My goal was to not sell it ever, but it's true you never know when GAS will rear it's ugly head!! It was just a way to make me have a reason to pull it out of it's case instead of the 20th SR5. I Think I'll put the defretting idea in the closet for now.

Thanks for being the voice of reason!

 

[koentje_bassist]

You don't have to put the idea in a closet, just buy a fretless (aftermarket) neck, so you can switch from day to day when you're in your fretless mood.

 

[thunder]

Wait a minute.

You're actually considering hacking up not only a perfectly good, nearly new SR5, but a LIMITED EDITION?

I'm going to tell your mother.



But hey, it's your bass. Have at it.

like i said "crazy"

 

[bovinehost]

It's your bass.

If it were mine and I wanted to defret it, I would, but there are some good points here about resale value and how you might go about it without devaluing the instrument.

Jack

 

[fidooda]

Henry, i've done it before. Lutherie MF in Montreal did it actually for around 300$ if memory serves me right. IT was not on an EBMM bass. i did it cause i wanted it then and didn't care for resale value. They did an amazing job. The bass looked like it was originally made fretless. they filed the holes with a nice wood, really good job.

with all the used EBMM out there i wouldn't do it. I would sell mine and buy a fretell (IMhO)

 

[oli@bass]

Henry, i've done it before. Lutherie MF in Montreal did it actually for around 300$

Wouldn't that sort of money buy you a new replacement neck?

with all the used EBMM out there i wouldn't do it. I would sell mine and buy a fretell (IMhO)

I'd keep mine a get a used fretless!

Or even better: Order a new fretless

 

[Aussie Mark]

But is rosewood hard enough to withstand longterm abuse of strings rubing directly on it?

This one has a rosewood board and has had strings rubbing on it for 30 years. The board has some minor marking, but no grooves ...

 

[bass addict]

to answer your main qustion: yes, rosewood will stand up to the abuse.

Regarding everything else: do what you want to do, its your bass, you are the one that has to play it. Toss the resale of a limited edition instrument argument out the window because if you are this serious about playing your bass, then y ou didnt buy it for its resale value.

Only you can decide what to do, but I would defret that bad boy and rock the fvck on

 

[Big Poppa]

Im telling your whole family including your aunt mildred and registering you as a convict with the local police......

buy a new one! Ok buy a used one but the best reason is what Adouglas said you want a piezo with the fretless and Pau ferro is much better wood for the board.

 

[bovinehost]

Word up on the piezo for fretless.

I had piezos on a fretted SR5 and found them interesting but not terribly useful.

Then I had a fretless Bongo 4 with the piezos and thought, "Okay, I get it now."

Really cool tones on a fretless.

Jack

 

[phatduckk]

personally i dont give consideration to resale value on basses. i buy em to play em and have fun. selling em isnt something i think about.

FWIW here's what i think. you mentioned you dont wanna sell it b/c its your first. however, id argue that if you put it thru major surgury its not the same bass anyways. at that point i could personally jusify selling it to fund the purchase b/c for me the sentimental value is "gone". but thats me and we're all different.

also i always think that im pretty young and will be hopefully playing bass for another 50 years. somewhere in that timeframe ill be able to repurchase the same model.

given that rambling, if i were in your shoes id be aiming to buy a used fretless. maybe this would require the sale of this bass or maybe you can swing something else.

 

[bluesquidd]

Moses Graphite Necks are much heavier than wood. They are incredibly great necks, but they are heavy as hell and might make your bass pretty neck heavy.
I had a Fender Jazz Deluxe 5 string with a Moses neck and had to make the strap locks longer (put 2 strap locks together, Dunlop) on the upper horn to make the horn longer and screw in a new strap button up higher to balance it.
Again, nice necks, but think about it.