Fretless Guitar

[Doughboy]

I've always wanted a fretless guitar & was thinking of somehow doing a Warmoth version of one. Does anyone have any info on what woods would bve best for such a guitar & if Warmoth can make a neck with no frets but lines or marks instead of the frets for positioning.

 

[Mor Paul]

ebony fretboard, maybe.

 

[dNA]

I think tonewoods are pretty much all the same basic ideas as a fretted guitar except for the fretboard wood. Generally I think for fretless people go with the hardest, smoothest surface possible. I've read about a number of fretless guitars with man-made fretboard material, including metal and glass.
Since you're going Warmoth, I know Pau Ferro and Ebony are extremely popular. I know there's at least one bass on here with a Goncalo Alves board too.

 

[kboman]

Bloodwood would probably work as well.

 

[djf67]

www.unfretted.com

 

[mmarino92]

I actually emailed Warmoth about this a while back, an upcharge for a  guitar with fretless lines  would be the same as a bass with one - $85. For the fingerboard, personally I would go either Ebony or Ipe.

-Michael

 

[Cagey]

Kingwood is super-hard if you want something with a more decorative grain to it than ebony.

 

[line6man]

I've been wanting a fretless Strat for a long time now, because I just don't like the limitation of frets on my instruments. :blob7:
Unfortunately, I haven't built one yet, because I can't afford any more projects.

One thing to note is that Warmoth told me they wouldn't be able to do the side dots, if you get an unlined neck.
You would have to omit them and put them on yourself.

I'm not sure if you're a lined or unlined guy?

 

[line6man]

I know there's at least one bass on here with a Goncalo Alves board too.

That's mine, but it's epoxy coated.

 

[dNA]

That's mine, but it's epoxy coated.

Does that mean the wood is essentially just there for the look, but the feel and sound come from the epoxy?

 

[line6man]

That's mine, but it's epoxy coated.

Does that mean the wood is essentially just there for the look, but the feel and sound come from the epoxy?

Pretty much, depending on the thickness of the coat.
If you have a really thick coat (H.G. Thor does 1/8" coats for an extra $150) you won't hear the wood at all, except how the neck resonates as a whole.
With a regular coating, I'm sure the wood has SOME effect still, but it's mostly the epoxy that gives the tone.