Lyn #13 - MMB-4 (Fretless)

[robin]

Well it’s that time again.

I already have a vintage ’72 Fender J Bass and a more recent Ibanez so I thought I would go for something a bit different this time. I’ve always wanted a fretless bass, so why not a fretless MMB-4??

First time for a couple of things with this build so it might be a bit detailed for some, but hopefully someone will learn from my mistakes.

First job was to decide on the headstock shape. Unfortunately the kit has the standard 4-in-a-row tuners like the Fender and I was kind of keen to keep the MM vibe going so I decide to do a 3x1 headstock.

I also wanted to keep the theme of my recent headstock design so I had to make a few concessions to the design. I'm not totally convinced that the design works aesthetically, but its the best I could come with.

My first decision was do I do the smart thing and buy an 18mm plug cutter, or do I make a plug by hand? As you have probably already guessed, I was not overly blessed with the smart gene so I decided to make a plug out of a bit of maple left over from a headstock from an earlier build. As per my recent penchant for hand tools, it was all done by hand. Saw, rasp, file and finally sandpaper. Not all that pretty, but it got the job done.

Next was to drill a replacement hole for the 4^th tuner a-la MM. Again I had the choice of the smart (buy a new bit) or the dumb…... So I drilled a 14mm hole (the nearest bit size I had to 18mm) and reamed the rest out by hand (rat-tailed file and sandpaper).

So that's the headstock almost done. I will be putting a veneer on the headstock so although it looks a bit rough it should be OK. To avoid damage I will leave doing the veneer until after I have finished the fretboard. I must get used to calling it a fingerboard as obviously there will be no frets.

Stay tuned.

rob



Pic 1 - The embryonic plug and a rough outline of the headstock shape
Pic 2 - The plug fully formed
Pic 3 - Headstock shaped, plugged and drilled

[dave.king1]

Nice stuff Rob, I will be watching this one

[vh2580]

Cool headstock design Robin, i am enjoying watching the results of your hand tool journey.

[robin]

@Dave
thanks mate, not sure it will be worth watching, but hopefully some entertainment value.

@Tony
Thanks Tony, but not much hand tooling going on with this build. It will just be a standard kit, with a few mods.

Cheers guys
rob

[wokkaboy]

Hey Rob, great to have you back building and running a build diary. I always enjoy your build diaries and it's an excellent lesson for younger generation that you can still do all these mods (and your last scatch tele) with NO power tools.
You are too hard on yourself mate with some of your comments.
Headstock shape looks cool and love the 3 + 1 tuner idea.
Since I've had a fretless bass I love the feel and sound of them. So much fun to play and you can get sounds that a fretted bass can't do.
Love how you made the 18mm dowel by hand and reamed a 14mm hole to 18mm.

what type of veneer is going on the HS ? What are the stain plans, any nice grain on the body ?

I will follow this build carefully

[Brendan]

Sounds like it will be another cracker of a build Robin!

[gavinturner]

Hey Rob, Sounds like the beginning of another stunner. Love the headstock already! Looking forward to following your build over the coming weeks.

cheers,
Gav.

[ShazzRandom]

Yay I haven't missed this one! Excited to see the results, would love myself a frettless!! Hope it all goes well mate

[Nickosaurus]

How you planning to defret the neck? Keen to watch this build

[robin]

@Woks
Hey Warren, thanks for the encouragement mate.

The only time I can get away from the damned Black Dog is when I'm building, so here we go again. I've wanted a fretless for years, now is a good a time as any.

HS veneer? I just got some cheap maple off fleaBay. Its only .4mm thick!! but should do the trick.

Stain? Au-naturel. I'm hoping that it will bounce nicely off the black scratch-plate I've bought. No real grain to speak of in the body, but I will grain fill with a dark Timbermate hopefully it will make something pop.

@Brendan
Thanks Brendan, keeping my fingers crossed.

@Gavin
Thnks Gav, I thought that the headstock looked a bit long for just 3 tuners, but I had to do that to avoid the plug.

@Shazz
Thanks Shazz, nothing too special about this one except for being fretless. I just hope I can learn to play her properly.

@Nick
Hey Nick, I have already started the defret, details should be in the next post.

Thanks Guys and Gal, the support form this Forum never ceases to amaze me. I am so blessed to be a part of it.