I've come to the point where I'm thinking about adding the nut and bridge. I sent away for samples of corian which arrived and it seems to be very workable. Before I go to far into it I'd like some advice on action at the first and twelfth fret.
This brings me onto my second question: although this guitar is fretless I'd still like to mark fret position and add fret markers. The fret markers I've got covered, what I would like advice on is marking where the fret wires would be on a fretted guitar. I've a couple ideas, 1. Draw frets on with white sharpie or such like, then apply finish over top, or 2. Cut shallow slots into fretboard as if adding fret wire, then filling slots with a mixture of wood glue white paint and wood shaving, sand flush then apply finish.
Any thoughts?
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Here is another method for creating fret markers I recently discovered. Attached is a photo of some sample inlays using plastic/acrylic gems sold at craft/fabric stores. I drilled an appropriate inlay hole 1-2 mm deep and glued in a gem, then sanded the gem down to the surface. The back of the gem has a metallic mirror layer which gives an iridescent look after sanding it down. The attached photo has the raw gems (these were actually purchased at a dollar store) and 2 sizes of inlayed, sanded gems (the right 2). The inlay on the left was made from a dot cut from a guitar pick for comparison. These gems come in different colors, sizes and shapes although I have only tried clear.
I like to use solid brass escutcheon pins for side markers. I cut them off to about 1/4" with dykes, buff to a high sheen with dremel, then coat with lacquer so they stay bright. I drill 1/16' holes in side of fingerboard and tap in for a nice snug fit.
Here is an idea for side markers that I have not seen anyone else use. I use tips from soft tip darts (see attached photo, sorry I don’t have a photo of the installed dot). I drill a hole that is the size I want, add some glue in the hole, push the tip in, cut it flush and sand. The tips are tapered so they wedge in well and you can make your dots any size from the diameter of the tip to the diameter of the root of the tip. I use each tip multiple times with each dot a little bigger (because of the taper). They are about $5 for 100 at any sporting goods store.
You could use any marking method you'd like as long as the fingerboard is left perfectly smooth when you're finished.
Some beginning fretless bass players have their "frets" lightly (and temporarily) marked with #2 pencil on their fingerboards. Jaco's famous "Bass of Doom" was a fretted Jazz Bass that had its frets removed, the slots filled, and the whole lacquered over with marine epoxy.
Between those two extremes, pretty much anything goes.
I've done one where I masked the whole fretboard with tape and then went ahead cut the fret slots. Then I used a dark gel stain and rubbed in good into the slots. Removed the masking tape and stained the rest lighter.
Use your soldering gun and put burn holes on edge of neck to mark positions. thats what i do. but i only mark the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 15th. With them marked its pretty obvious where to place slide or fingers for all thwe positions.
I use BBs... I drill a small hole the diameter of the BB and about 75% deep. A drop of CA glue and a coat of clear polyacrylic and it's done. You can use brass or steel BBs for different looks. They have a nice shine and are easy to see.
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you could use these.plenty on ebay or your local store.
Here is another method for creating fret markers I recently discovered. Attached is a photo of some sample inlays using plastic/acrylic gems sold at craft/fabric stores. I drilled an appropriate inlay hole 1-2 mm deep and glued in a gem, then sanded the gem down to the surface. The back of the gem has a metallic mirror layer which gives an iridescent look after sanding it down. The attached photo has the raw gems (these were actually purchased at a dollar store) and 2 sizes of inlayed, sanded gems (the right 2). The inlay on the left was made from a dot cut from a guitar pick for comparison. These gems come in different colors, sizes and shapes although I have only tried clear.
DSCI0929.JPG
I like to use solid brass escutcheon pins for side markers. I cut them off to about 1/4" with dykes, buff to a high sheen with dremel, then coat with lacquer so they stay bright. I drill 1/16' holes in side of fingerboard and tap in for a nice snug fit.
Here is an idea for side markers that I have not seen anyone else use. I use tips from soft tip darts (see attached photo, sorry I don’t have a photo of the installed dot). I drill a hole that is the size I want, add some glue in the hole, push the tip in, cut it flush and sand. The tips are tapered so they wedge in well and you can make your dots any size from the diameter of the tip to the diameter of the root of the tip. I use each tip multiple times with each dot a little bigger (because of the taper). They are about $5 for 100 at any sporting goods store.
20573.JPG
You could use any marking method you'd like as long as the fingerboard is left perfectly smooth when you're finished.
Some beginning fretless bass players have their "frets" lightly (and temporarily) marked with #2 pencil on their fingerboards. Jaco's famous "Bass of Doom" was a fretted Jazz Bass that had its frets removed, the slots filled, and the whole lacquered over with marine epoxy.
Between those two extremes, pretty much anything goes.
image.jpg
Use your soldering gun and put burn holes on edge of neck to mark positions. thats what i do. but i only mark the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 15th. With them marked its pretty obvious where to place slide or fingers for all thwe positions.
I use BBs... I drill a small hole the diameter of the BB and about 75% deep. A drop of CA glue and a coat of clear polyacrylic and it's done. You can use brass or steel BBs for different looks. They have a nice shine and are easy to see.
That is a seriously cool idea. I might just try it on my next build. thanks for sharing!!!
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