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Post by brianloco on Jun 23, 2014 13:02:51 GMT -6
I have a squier affinity strat that's kinda beat up so I'm gonna refinish it and since I got it for free thinking about trying some different things to customize it one of those would be to make it fretless now can I just sand the frets down flush with the fingerboard or do I have to remove the frets and fill in the slots would it make a big difference either way
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Jun 23, 2014 13:12:57 GMT -6
I've made fretless basses before, but never a guitar. I recommend pulling the frets and filling the slots with wood filler.
To make the fret come out easier, heat it with a soldering iron first. Take your time.
Good luck, John
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Post by brianloco on Jun 23, 2014 13:49:32 GMT -6
Ok thanks yeah I've never seen a fret less guitar so I figured why not I'll try it
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 14:45:04 GMT -6
I have seen a few fret less guitars. Are you sure you want to do that? The ones I have seen had fret board wear like you can't believe. But anyway. Like John said. I would remove the frets. If you can hold of some veneer to fill in the slots that works out pretty good. If not mix up some kind of saw dust in glue and fill in the slots. Or you can fill in using some epoxy. But I like to use something in the slots. I would also put some tape down the sides of the fret board before filling in the slots. That will keep glue or epoxy or what ever you use from dripping on to the back of the neck.
EB
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Post by dnic on Jun 23, 2014 20:44:27 GMT -6
Seems like cord playing would be rather challenging but maybe single note slides and slide playing would be interesting.
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Post by stratpurist on Jun 24, 2014 6:52:54 GMT -6
Jaco Pastorius made his jazz bass fretless by pulling the frets and filling the slots. Guthrie Govan's technique of sliding up and down the fret board is so fast and smooth he doesn't need a fretless. nevertheless its a natural fit as he hawks the Vigier www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PyOZhgQnvU
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Post by brianloco on Jun 24, 2014 12:57:34 GMT -6
So now I have a few options if I went with veneer what kind of glue to use just wood glue? And should the fretboard be finished with an oil finish after
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2014 15:52:44 GMT -6
yes use wood glue. What kind of fret board is it? Rosewood, maple, other? If it's rose wood I would oil it. if it's maple I would put a clear coat on it.
EB
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Post by brianloco on Jun 24, 2014 19:21:04 GMT -6
It's rosewood what kind of oil should I use
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Post by dnic on Jun 24, 2014 22:28:15 GMT -6
I use and am very happy the results from the Stew Mac fret board oil www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Finishing_Supplies/Finishes_and_Solvents/ColorTone_Fretboard_Finishing_Oil.htmlOnce you sand the fret board after removing the frets I recommend resawing the slots to a consistent depth and width. Then you can easily size wood to fill them. I think making the thickness right for the slot width but not worrying about the hight will make it easier to work with. Anyway fit the filler strips in the slots and then CA glue them in. The thin stuff #10 will wick right into the joints. Then you can chisel/sand them flush to the board.
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Post by brianloco on Jun 25, 2014 6:08:19 GMT -6
Ok so after I remove the frets I should sand it is that just to remove the old finish
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Post by dnic on Jun 25, 2014 8:04:30 GMT -6
Once you remove the frets you will understand. The board will look pretty rough. Rosewood boards don't typically have a "finish" other than oil. Ric's being 1 exception I know of. You will also get some chips, save as many as you can and CA them back in place. Every time you work on a guitar you gain knowledge and experience. Things you can't possibly anticipate and/or get from a forum or books. We try to help but language has it's limitations.
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Post by brianloco on Jun 25, 2014 13:46:08 GMT -6
You guys have been awesome with the info redoing this squier and the saga I'm building are my first attempts at guitar building finishing and I'm already thinking of trying my hand at building from scratch so answering all my questions has been a huge help now what about the radius on the neck does the squier have like a standard radius should I change it going from fretted to fret less how do the different radii affect playing
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Post by dnic on Jun 25, 2014 19:01:13 GMT -6
Just did a quick Google search and it looks like all the Squires I found were 9.5 board radius. Which is the standard I use on my non TOM bridge guitars. Those get 12" to match the bridge radius. I don't play fretless so it's hard for me to say for certain but I would leave the stock radius. I'm thinking that way when you decide to refret it you don't have to fix anything, just recut the slots and go for it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2014 12:26:37 GMT -6
The radius is like a lot of outer things on a guitar. It comes down to what you as a player likes. All of my custom builds get 12" radius on them. That is what I like and most customers like.
The "Junker" guitar I just did, I took it for the 9.5 to a 12. Why? Because that is what I like. But most " Not all" Fender stile neck have a 9.5 radius on them.
So if you like the feel of an LP stile guitar you would more than likely, like the 12" or 14" radius. But if you like the Fender feel, then you would want to leave the 9.5.
It really depends on you and your likes and dislikes. When I build a custom for someone, I like to have them there when I carve the neck. I fit the neck to how or what feels good to them. After all it's their guitar. I have also reshaped a lot of Fender necks to make them feel better in the hand. I have done this not just on my guitars but for other players as well. Seems once someone plays one of my guitars they want me to alter their guitars. Just wish I could get more of them to do. HA!
Yeah, I don't post everything I do.... LOL!
EB
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