i need some help gang - Colby Bass

[drbassman]

wide medium 0149

or wide high 0154

i can't remember which. i think we decided that the 0149 was closest to the original Gibby size. what i don't know is what size you ordered but what ever it was, it will be fine.

The 149s.  I just couldn't remember if that's what you wanted.  I've got the dots in and will start on the frets.

[drbassman]

Lots o' dots.................

[Dave W]

What do you mean by original Gibby size? That does vary by era. The 0146 is closest to what they used on basses in the 60s until at least the early 70s. The 0149 is close to Fender's medium jumbo.

[sniper]

it was basically a guess on my part Dave. i figured it is always easier to take metal off than replace it ala Plek if i have to go that route. i do have the utmost confidence in my builder and believe that a good hand fret job is superior to a Plek.

that fretboard does almost reach the body.

[drbassman]

To me, frets are like shoes, everyone has different tastes.  There are enough choices these days, you can install just about anything you like.  I use 148s for my own basses, they feel good to me.  That's as scientific as I get!  I know some folks like to recreate the feel of frets from the past, but that's probably harder to do than one would think, especially if the particular fret wire isn't even made any longer.  We just have to make do with modern frets!

[Dave W]

Besides, some of what you may have liked on an old bass could be after a fret job, i.e. even lower than what was originally on it.

[sniper]

Besides, some of what you may have liked on an old bass could be after a fret job, i.e. even lower than what was originally on it.

good point Dave.

the best frets i ever had were almost non existant (they were so flattened after i had a friend at the music shop take a stone to them) on and old EBO, but it got rid of the buzzes. Bill now has plenty of metal to work with.

that was the same one i painted black. it had NO orange peel after about 30 coats and all the associated sanding and polishing. prolly why i am such a Cataldo finish fan.

[dadagoboi]

Well, I cheat.  It's on its way to 97 degrees here, I'm using an additive that improves the flow out. so there's almost no orange peel to sand out and the paint levels better.  This is in addition to a 'slow' thinner that protects against blush.

[Freuds_Cat]

Well, I cheat.  It's on its way to 97 degrees here, I'm using an additive that improves the flow out. so there's almost no orange peel to sand out and the paint levels better.  This is in addition to a 'slow' thinner that protects against blush.

Ahh yes but the serious question Carlo is this: Does the flow additive affect tone? 

[dadagoboi]

Ahh yes but the serious question Carlo is this: Does the flow additive affect tone? 

Don't know about tone but definitely your mental state if you don't wear a respirator.

[sniper]

Don't know about tone but definitely your mental state if you don't wear a respirator.

Carlo: That might be a hangover from the 60's!

Doc: I am not too worried about the back of the neck even though some dirtball carved his name in it. Just steel wool it close to wood and buff it. I will be happy there. It is part of the history of the bass as it is now.

[drbassman]

No problem on touching up the beck of the neck art work.  I am looking at maybe using the 148 frets as the tang might be a bit too long on the 149s.  I'll do some measuring and decide from there.

Got evening commitments for a couple nights, so I'll get back to it later in the week.

[drbassman]

Just got back from 4 days in NC with the in-laws and our kids.  Back to work now!

[sniper]

Just got back from 4 days in NC with the in-laws and our kids.  Back to work now!

always good to send time with the family. i am missing my kids so much i'm thinking of moving back to Missouri. i'll let you know if you have to send that somewhere other than Texas.

[Highlander]

Go with the flow, Carlo...