I have a 3-stringer with fretted neck but prefer fretless. Can I do harm to the fretboard by removing the frets? I would rather not get rid of this guitar.
Thanks!
Joe
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
I definitely would stick with a level tool such as a diamond. Ether way seems like more work than it's worth just to build or order another neck or replace with smooth fret board.
A belt sander would make short work of them. Then sand down to 400 grit over the whole board and apply multiple coats of mineral oil. Then as Badfinger said fretless with metal markers.
Or take a sander to the neck and level the frets off. I have a diamond honing steel that would probably smooth them off right quickly. The tang left embedded in the wood is then your fret line marker.
More than likely there will be some damage (chipping) .... then you have the issue of what to do with the empty slots. If you fill them they will never match and it will be clearly visible that the frets have been yanked. Why go thru all that ?
You might try raising the string action thus enabling you to play without the frets getting in the way.
OR if you insist on making a project out of it ... install a different neck.
Replies
I definitely would stick with a level tool such as a diamond. Ether way seems like more work than it's worth just to build or order another neck or replace with smooth fret board.
Or take a sander to the neck and level the frets off. I have a diamond honing steel that would probably smooth them off right quickly. The tang left embedded in the wood is then your fret line marker.
More than likely there will be some damage (chipping) .... then you have the issue of what to do with the empty slots. If you fill them they will never match and it will be clearly visible that the frets have been yanked. Why go thru all that ?
You might try raising the string action thus enabling you to play without the frets getting in the way.
OR if you insist on making a project out of it ... install a different neck.