Gary's first build: JB-5

[Fretworn]

I would suggest that the dots on the side of the fingerboard are in the same place as on a fretted fingerboard, ie between the 11th and 12th fret positions.

[gstark]

I would suggest that the dots on the side of the fingerboard are in the same place as on a fretted fingerboard, ie between the 11th and 12th fret positions.

Which, for a fretless, is perhaps less than optimal. )

Many thanks.

[wazkelly]

Which, for a fretless, is perhaps less than optimal. )

Many thanks.

You could do vertical lines that match up with where the frets would be instead of the dots which are traditionally positioned mid point between the frets being marked.

[gstark]

You could do vertical lines that match up with where the frets would be instead of the dots which are traditionally positioned mid point between the frets being marked.

Thanks, but no. That will never happen. Fretlines make the instrument unplayable for me. I either have frets, or not.

The incorrect (IMHO) placement is more of an issue in terms of correct bridge placement.

My '77P has the dots in the correct location, and I may undertake a little surgery to relocate these, but it's not a biggie. Having a full size upright sitting in the corner here, I'm sure I can cope.

[Fretworn]

Unfortunately the factory isn't as sophisticated as we would probably like. A fretless neck will just be a fretted neck without fret slots.

[wazkelly]

Hi buddy, I think you misunderstood what I meant.......on the thin edge of the fret board where dots are usually located you could add 3mm - 4mm vertical lines at the points where some of the frets may have been seated if it was a fretted neck.

If you play an upright it is a fair bet your ear is well trained to let you know when you are on the right spot or not.

[gstark]

Hi buddy, I think you misunderstood what I meant......

Thank you; yes, I did misunderstand. My apologies.

I did consider "relocating" the dots; scraping out the paint, filling the depressions, and then making new ones in the location as you're suggesting, but I couldn't be bothered. All that's needed is a bit of a guide, and I can cope with that.

[gstark]

With the grounding wire for the bridge/tailpiece, how do others connect this up?

My experience with things electrical, and especially living in an area where old Alfas and Minis corrode as you watch them, is that I am going to tin the end and secure it to the tailpiece through one of the mounting screws, rather than just leaving it as a stripped bare wire splayed out and contacting the underside of the tailpiece.

I'd appreciate the thoughts of others with more experience in this realm.

[WeirdBits]

In most cases, regardless of bridge/tailpiece type, the ground wire just makes a pressure contact. A loop of bare wire under the bass bridge is all you need, but I often use a small piece of copper shielding tape to hold the loop where I want it so I can position it around a screw hole and/or ensure good contact etc. The important thing is to get a good electrical connection, best tested with a multimeter once it's in place.

[gstark]

Many thanks.