Not what I was told

[J Romano]

When I purchased my fretless SR4 at GC I was told it was around a 1995 vintage. Today I pulled the neck and there is a April 7, 1988 stamp on the body. May 5, 1988 stamp on the neck, with pencil written initals D.B. 5-16-88 also on the neck. She's older that I thought. I had an earlier post when I first joined the forum that there was no serial # on the bass. That is still true. I believe it was on the bridge which some rocket scientist that owned the bass before me changed out, probably to sell for profit on Ebay. They cobbed the existing bridge in, I think it is some sort of Schaller (as you can see in the pictures). If anyone has had the bridge off a classic, are there holes where the mutes are positioned? It appears that holes were filled in with fretboard position marking dots. Or maybe this was the screw holes for the original bridge. Sure would like to know. I would like to get this classic back to original, with a classic bridge with mutes. Is this possible to do this with current production bridges or are they not available to the public for purchase? Thanks for any help.
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/John_Romano/Basses/DCP_2355.jpg
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/John_Romano/Basses/DCP_2354.jpg
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/John_Romano/Basses/DCP_2359.jpg
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/John_Romano/Basses/DCP_2358.jpg
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/John_Romano/Basses/DCP_2409.jpg

 

[bovinehost]

That's some nice figuring on the back of that neck.

If I had to guess, I'd also venture that your bass started as a fretted model and had a pretty decent looking de-fret done along the way.

You might be out of luck on an original bridge unless you can find one on eBay.

 

[smallequestrian]

That's some nice figuring on the back of that neck.

If I had to guess, I'd also venture that your bass started as a fretted model and had a pretty decent looking de-fret done along the way.

You might be out of luck on an original bridge unless you can find one on eBay.

Yep, definitely a fretted originally. The bridges do pop up from time to time. I'd keep a look out on ebay and on the forum.

Also, notice the two bolts on your Sterling bridge? Those holes on your bass that have been covered with the fret position markers are covering up where those bolts where anchored.

 

[J Romano]

Yes the birds eye is awesome, almost like a roasted probably from age. It looks to me like a roasted lite. Who ever did the defretting did an awesome job, I see no flaws. They used very dark wood, darker than the RW, light has to hit it just right to see it esp. while playing. Makes it tough to learn on. I've learned to use the front dots and side markers a lot. I don't do Ebay, so I'll be SOL on the bridge.
Actually the two side holes are still there, I can see the threaded inserts on either side of the bridge. It's the 4 "dots" in front of the bridge I was referring to.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

...It's the 4 "dots" in front of the bridge I was referring to.

The 4 holes were to allow the shafts of the mute adjusting screws to fit down into the body.

 

[J Romano]

Thats what I thought, but wasn't sure. Thanks

 

[Elad_E]

'88 would mean a laquered neck vs. the gunstock oiled neck which would be found on a '95 model. plus, the skunk stripe would also be gone by the early-mid 90s (both of which contribute to neck stability btw).

the new Classic bridge is not a retrofit for your bass because it only offers thru-body stringing while yours was originaly a top loading bridge (unless you don't mind taking it to a professional luthier for drilling and installing string ferrules).

also, the saddles were changed quite a few times to accomodate different breaking angles between the strings and the saddle screws/springs (which also means different positioning of the bridge on some model years).

bottom line - do a good reasearch at Rod Trussbroken's site prior to purchasing any retrofit MM bridge.

 

[J Romano]

Thanks for all the replies. The neck is lacquered. I will follow up on research before I continue.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Since the bass was defretted, the side markers on the neck aren't where they would be on a fretless. On a fretted bass, they're centered between frets. On a fretless, the side markers are placed exactly where the fret would be (and where you must place your finger.)

So it's going to be a pain switching between this bass and a true fretless one. With plenty of fretless experience, you'll only look rarely at the neck, usually when making a big position change. At that moment, the different dot position would be misleading.

 

[J Romano]

Rick, thanks for that info. My side dots are between the lines for the frets. When I use them I know to place my fingers just forward of the dot. I didn't realize the dot position on a true fretless, if I get another I will definitely have to retain myself. Thanks.