Build#2 GPB-4 Fretless

[FaustoB]

This is absolute gold! thank you so much!

Not too much, and not too late at all! Mine was just an initial 180 sanding, mostly to get my head around the side scratches.
I will definitely use the amazing tips you and Trevor kindly shared.

My test inside the pickup cavity was probably not an ideal way to familiarise with the technique. But between that test and the forum tips I feel definitely more confident.

In the meantime, I have decided to put some work onto the neck plate, modified for better reach of higher notes.
After trying to purchase the neck plate online (I am thankful to all the delivery persons that have been/are doing an amazing job but the shipping times are very long these days in NSW) I have decided to dust some cobwebs off my angle grinder and mod the neck plate provided with the kit.











Everything seems pretty smooth so far, but I am too tired now to approach that cut on the body. I'll sleep on it and I'll see if I can find some time tomorrow.

Any tips or heads up before this cut?

[Simon Barden]

It's fairly easy, though you can go for the current Fender approach and transition from round to square so the neck keeps the same amount of support but you loose the pointed heel where it matters most.

I did it on my Hexacaster build using a file and sandpaper.

[FaustoB]

Thank you Simon, that looks absolutely stunning!

The cut I have in mind is more similar to the Fender American Ultra Precision. Although that neck plate seems longer.





Or is it too drastic?

[Simon Barden]

The Fender American Ultra definitely uses a longer, 5-screw neck plate. It's similar to a Music-man as well.

These are the dimensions of a MM plate



I know I'd prefer to use something longer for a bass neck (if possible) than a guitar-length plate.

[McCreed]

I did a similar thing as Simon and Fender on one of my strats, except with ferrules instead of a plate.

This was on a previously finished build and I didn't want to do major surgery, so it was kind of a proof of concept.
If I was starting with a unfinished body and neck, I would make a couple changes, but this definitely accomplishes what I wanted.
Makes higher access easier and more comfortable.

[FaustoB]

Thank you so much Simon and McCreed for the suggestions and for the photos & measurements!

[FaustoB]

Some updates on this project...

After taking some time to think and to research, I have decided to go ahead with cutting the neck pocket for better reach of high notes.
I am very happy the way it feels and the way it looks.

[FaustoB]

After that I reshaped the neck, to match that curve.

It felt a bit strange to have and ergonomic cut on the body, but having the neck still following a sort of "rectangular" shape.
I don't have a rasp, I have used a metal file wrapped in sandpaper 40 grit and it did job for removing the bulk of the material and getting me close to the shape I wanted.

The rest was done by hand going up to 220 grit.

[FaustoB]

The body has been sanded to 220 grit.

applied a mix made mostly of TimberMate with a small portion of acrylic paint to achieve the colour I had in mind.
sanded to 220, reapplied Timbermate, sanded again and started applying TO, I am TO coat #5.

This photo is after the first TimberMate coat


This is a detail of the body after 2x TM and sanding, and after 2x coats of TO

[dozymuppet]

Nice progress there

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