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Post subject: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:40 pm
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Other than when I started I bought guitars that were different, not just in name or appearance--but in style, pickups, etc.

I think that's part of the reason I never got another bass.

Now I'm not saying I'm going out right now & getting another bass--but if I do (And that could take a while) I would still like to get something different--and fretless bass would certainly fit that mold.

I've tried them before, and had fun with them--so any thoughts or comments or warnings about them?

Thanks...

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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:57 am
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Fretless basses are the same as fretted basses in the respect that they are all unique and you'll find good and bad. At present I'm G.A.S.sing for a Jaco replica.

Play a bunch before you decide.


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:12 pm
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If you aren't using flatwounds, you might want to buy something cheap for the strings to rub against. I would buy a used fretless Dean(or something for around $300), and put some hard drying wax on the fingerboard, if your using roundwounds.


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:37 pm
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I love fretless basses! The tone, the expressiveness. This G&L ASAT fretless will be in my hands on Monday!!

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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:42 pm
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bassclef wrote:
The tone, the expressiveness.


...and (of course) the trademark Jaco "MWAH"!!! :lol:


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:19 pm
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I had an Aria Pro II Integra that I defretted and played that way exclusively for years. After I pulled the frets I coated the fretboard with marine grade fiberglass epoxy that I sanded flat. About once a year I'd sand out the ridges that the round wound strings left and every couple of years recoated it. The thing to remember about playing fretless is that you have to play right where the fret would be to be in tune. You do have to practice playing in tune but it is so worth it.

Stay Brown,
Rev J


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:59 pm
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I have a Jaco fretless & I love it, I use Fender flatwounds on my bass. I suggest getting a Squier Modified vintage Fretless Jazz bass to get started (I consider it the Squier version of the Jaco bass) , they list for $499.00 on the fender website but I think it retails for $350.00 in music stores.
They also have the fret lines on the fret board. Listening to players like Jaco Patorius, Marcus Miller (who's known for his slapping but also play some mean fretless), Christian McBride & Jack Bruce Just to name a few fretless players is also a good start, Guy Pratt who played with Pink Floyd on their post Roger Waters stuff in the late 80's & early 90's is another guy to check out as is Tony Levin who can be heard on CD's by Peter Gabriel.
You may also might want to get a book that was put out by Bass Player magazine called "The Fretless Bass" I bought it through Amazon I think it's a great collection of Articles & tips compiled from some of the best fretless bass players from old Bass Player articles I recommend it for everybody :)


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:21 am
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Zontar - You can get some additional info in the thread link below:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=61505


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:20 am
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PaducahLuke wrote:
Zontar - You can get some additional info in the thread link below:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=61505

Cool thanks.

On Saturday I was in a new store and tried two fretless J-basses--a Squier VM with the ebanol board and roundwound strings and a MIM Fender with rosewood board and flatwounds.

Both played well, but in some ways I preferred the Squier--partly because of the board allowing for roundwounds, which I prefer.
And it was half the price.

But I have other stuff I need first, so the bass will have to wait, for now, but playing them only added fuel to the fire--so to speak.

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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:40 am
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Hello... I'm Scott and brand new to this forum. discovered it by accident and decided it would be a fun one to join. I just aquired a Squier Jazz recently that had been owned by someone who thought he could mess around with it and not do damage. WRONG. It did not work when plugged into an amp, and the neck had a pretty good bow in it. I got it cheap, and discovered the cheap Indonesian pots were trash, so I got new ones from AllParts. I didn't like the metallic Green color, so I repainted it black. I had a fretless neck with the fretlines in it I had gotten many years ago that had really nice Schaller machines, and had on my 72 Precision for a while, but decided I would rather have the 72 in one piece and original. I measured the fretless neck and found it matched the specs for the Jazz neck, so I put it on the Squier. It has a great sound, and now it looks amazing


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:35 am
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Welcome to the Fender Lounge forum.....I think you made a Good decision with regard to keeping the 72' bass in one piece ........also sounds like you did a good job with regard to getting your Squier in playing condition ........


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:29 pm
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Depending on what you're looking for, and which model you choose some Squiers may do it for you without mods, but if you're inclined to do mods--they make a good starting point--at least from what I've seen.

And so I wouldn't be against buying a fretless Squier J Bass--especially since it seems I didn't win the draw for the American Standard guitar or bass (There is an American Standard fretless J Bass--which would have been my choice.)

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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:31 pm
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[/quote]
...Both played well, but in some ways I preferred the Squier--partly because of the board allowing for roundwounds, which I prefer.
And it was half the price.

But I have other stuff I need first, so the bass will have to wait, for now, but playing them only added fuel to the fire--so to speak.[/quote]

I own the Squire VM and love it for that very reason you stated. I have had a few fretless basses and the VM is by far the best that I have owned. I modded mine by adding a preamp and a Gotoh bridge. It sang before but now I have more control over the shaping and the added mass of the Gotoh enhances the VM inherent tonal qualities. You won't be sorry if you get it!

Image


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 4:09 pm
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The VM's I've tried all sounded unique. The one GC had a couple years back was the best sounding bass in the store. I dig the sound of phenolic.


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Post subject: Re: So any thoughts on fretless bass?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 4:58 pm
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Meshica7 wrote:

...Both played well, but in some ways I preferred the Squier--partly because of the board allowing for roundwounds, which I prefer.
And it was half the price.

But I have other stuff I need first, so the bass will have to wait, for now, but playing them only added fuel to the fire--so to speak.[/quote]

I own the Squire VM and love it for that very reason you stated. I have had a few fretless basses and the VM is by far the best that I have owned. I modded mine by adding a preamp and a Gotoh bridge. It sang before but now I have more control over the shaping and the added mass of the Gotoh enhances the VM inherent tonal qualities. You won't be sorry if you get it!

Image[/quote]

That's what the one I saw & played looked like--same finish.
It is very tempting.

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