right... so i've decided to get one step closer to certifiably insane...

basically what i plan on doing is removing the frets from an old electric guitar i have and using it as a fretless guitar (possibly with a bow depending on how it sounds...)

what i'm wondering is if anyone has any techniques or ideas on both removing the frets from the fretboard and how to refill the gaps left behind... any input or suggestions would be appreciated...

wood filler wood fill the gaps but then you would need to restain the wood, although where the frets were would still be visible. The only other thing i would suggest is sanding the gaps out, requires skill tho. Or if you were going to go crazy you could buy a new peice of wood to replace the fretboard altogether. It depends if your frets go right back to the neck or not. Im speaking purely from a carpenters point of view not from a instrument crafter.

i'm leaning more towards filling the gaps with stuff... not sure what though... what's the wood filler stuff you mention? is it like putty or something that solidifies? would i be able to find it in a typical hardware store?

i'd actually prefer to see where the frets were than getting a new peice of wood and depending solely on my ears to get the proper notes...

Listen to blink, he knows the game.

right on... sounds good... but i don't think i'll be doing the whole pre sanding thing... i really want to be able to see where the frets were... (to the point where i'll paint the filler if needed) but thanks for all the advice... i just hope the hardware store isn't as busy as the mall before the holidays...

I know for a fact that this can be done. A few years back my friend had crappy "Vantage" bass and he turned it into a fretless bass. He actually filed down frets and yes it took alot of time to do. When it was done you could see the remaining metal which was good because you still can see where you are playing.
Now if you plan on ripping out your frets, you might screw up the neck, by prying and what not.
My advice.....grind em down!

EffectiveNow

too late... they've been ripped out... doesn't seem to have really harmed the fretboard... some splintering higher up on the neck (past the 17th fret) nothing some sanding and filler won't fix...

maybe you can post a pic when you have finished it.