Fretless Bass Question

[Great_Kazoo]

I use GHS groundwounds with my fretless, quite happy.

+1

I used groundwounds (aka "halfrounds") with a maple neck/fingerboard fretless ibanez P bass and and really liked the smoother feel under my fingers. Plus the inner part around the core was still round and allows more brightness, which I prefer, and without digging grooves into the fingerboard.

[idsnowdog]

I used neon acrylic paint

I bought a package of 1mm adhesive backed pinstripes. Manicurists use them on women's nails. I think I will use the silver colored ones and then epoxy the fretboard. It should look like frets.

https://www.amazon.com/NICEMOVIC-Colors-Striping-Decoration-Sticker/dp/B08JPCBK5N/ref=asc_df_B08JPCBK5N/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475843164422&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8141587352595404155&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019625&hvtargid=pla-1160826783259&th=1

[Blille]

I bought a package of 1mm adhesive backed pinstripes. Manicurists use them on women's nails. I think I will use the silver colored ones and then epoxy the fretboard. It should look like frets.
https://www.amazon.com/NICEMOVIC-Col...826783259&th=1

Very smart.

And you can also look great with the extra ones

[idsnowdog]

I have added the fret markers. The silver foil shines brighter than any frets I have seen. I need to epoxy seal and level the fretboard now.

[jeremy]

that looks great!

[idsnowdog]

that looks great!

Measuring the fret spacing was hard and not all of the fret markers are in the best place. However with a fretless bass you really don't have exact intonation so I'm not sure how much difference it will make?

[jeremy]

ehh... if youre playing with others or along to recorded music, youll notice. or at least i would. but since you can move you finger to get the note in tune as long as its close, you should be fine

[Blille]

It looks great!

It’s to know where to start you’ll have to use your ears to move up or down a bit anyway.

[idsnowdog]

I have put three coats of epoxy on the fretboard but the epoxy is thick and doesn't cover evenly when it dries. I haven't tried thinning it to see if it will cover more evenly. It is supposed to be self-leveling but it has a tendency to fish eye which I don't like at all. I applied the last two coats with a small brush to try and fill any dimples. It's thick enough that I have plenty to work with while sanding. However I'm not sure how much work it will be to level it out and then buff it to a shine? On the plus side the epoxy dries in 12 hours, is crystal clear, really easy to apply, and it has no odor at all.

[Beespleeer]

What I know from a local luthier is that every layer of epoxy has to be leveled.

[idsnowdog]

What I know from a local luthier is that every layer of epoxy has to be leveled.

I stripped the epoxy off because it wouldn't set up no matter how carefully I measured, mixed or let it dry. I went with CA glue instead.

[eclecticsynergy]

I stripped the epoxy off because it wouldn't set up no matter how carefully I measured, mixed or let it dry. I went with CA glue instead.

Just brushed on?

[idsnowdog]

Just brushed on?

Yes, two part marine epoxy.