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Post subject: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 6:02 am
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The more I get involved with my new bass, the more I realize the potential it has. the subtle textures, to the pure balls it has are amazing. it may very well be that I'm listening to jaco and weather report a lot, but the bass itself is great.

thanks to brotherdave, i found out the origins of this particular run. It does have a one piece body, somewhat lighter than my other Jazz, definitely the lightest bass in my modest collection. The neck is unique, very slender, WAY more than the Jazz and Squier VM.

The whole experience has been great, going from a challenge, to what is now a learning experience, pushing me beyond my comfort zone into a place of discovery. Fretless basses will make you a better player, I'm convinced of that.

Just some thoughts and observations.


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:29 am
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You appear to have found a friend. I always liked fretless basses also. It's almost like the frets get in the way.

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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 1:16 pm
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I've also been listening to a lot of Jaco & weather Report,.... I've recently rediscovered 2 great Weather Report CD's..... Sweet Nighter ( pre Jaco) & Black Market with Alphonso Johnson on bass ( Jaco plays on 2 tracks) This has inspired me to play my fretless more ....
So much to learn & improve on as fretless is a different world....(for me at least) :)


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 4:03 pm
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I always thought Miroslav Vitous, the original bassist for Weather Report, was outstanding. "I Sing The Body Electric" is excellent.

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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 6:19 pm
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James Coderre wrote:
I've also been listening to a lot of Jaco & weather Report,.... I've recently rediscovered 2 great Weather Report CD's..... Sweet Nighter ( pre Jaco) & Black Market with Alphonso Johnson on bass ( Jaco plays on 2 tracks) This has inspired me to play my fretless more ....
So much to learn & improve on as fretless is a different world....(for me at least) :)


My bass isn't in the same class as yours, so it's little harder to play, that's my guess. Outside of lowering the strings to about a thousandth of an inch before buzzing, I didn't do anything else and ther is such a wealth of tone that varies by so much.

It is an education.


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 6:22 pm
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Mr. Nylon wrote:
You appear to have found a friend. I always liked fretless basses also. It's almost like the frets get in the way.


Yes, we've become close. Jaco called frets "speed bumps".

The nylons will be on in a day or so. There are also some new things coming.

Stay tuned!


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:55 pm
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Oxfan, We are walking the same path.

I just started going fretless a few months ago....I do both....but had never played a fretless bass until a few months ago, maybe a year, I am time challenged. I bought the US Jaco Jazz - I think we have the same issue. What a smooth piece to play. It really fired me up as well. I picked up that 1974 P with the sidemarks on the frets....now that is cool and much easier for me, but the Jaco plays smoother.

I take my fretless to practices and dresses and am getting some positive feedback. I still quack once in awhile....will get past that. But what creative liberty it gives you!

All my friends know I have way too many basses, and they expect to see these oddballs once in awhile, but playing fretless has been new, and very enjoyable.

Have a nice trip.

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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 8:08 pm
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Thanks! It's been fun so far. I'm at the place of having discovered how to eliminate, or accentuate the quack with a few tuns of dials. As i mentioned, it's a challenging, learning experience. I really hope I don't run into a Jaco! :shock: :shock: :shock:


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:34 pm
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Jaco was the man! I saw him play at a club in Ft. Laud. He was just incredible.
He used to walk home from the strip carrying his bass with no case. It was hard to miss him. Well for me it was cause I was a bass player too. Here comes this guy trucking along with a SB Jazz in one hand. How cool that was I can't describe.

I guess I need a fretless. It's about time I
break the seal.


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:39 pm
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oxfan, could you post a pic of the bass you are talking about? Is it a Jaco Pastorius model?

I was playing fretless for a while - a few years ago I picked up an early-'70s Guild M-85 II, factory fretless with no lines, unfortunately with the then-new Guild humbuckers instead of the more desirable Hagstrom Bi-Sonics. It plays great, but a) the sound of the humbuckers leaves something to be desired, and b) I really have to practice on it, much more than if I'm playing fretted, which I can basically pick up and play - though I'm trying to practice more consistently! My new band is playing late-'60s/early-'70s instrumental funk jazz inspired by the "soul jazz" stuff of the period like Grant Green and the CTI stuff that usually featured Ron Carter on upright, but sometimes he played electric (which I love and prefer). So I'm chasing something more like more traditional R&B/funk sounds.

Now affprod's "1974 P with the sidemarks on the frets" sounds nice! I had a Fender Japan fretless Jazz Bass with no lines and only dots for 5, 7, 9 , 12 etc., where they would be on a regular bass! Turned me off to fretless for years - I was in high school so I don't think I had the patience or confidence to put in the work necessary, as well as probably just not having the skill. But my Guild has the dots where the fret would be - only on the 3rd, 5th, 7th etc., but it helps SO MUCH! One of those unlined maple fretboard P Bass from the '70s would fit nicely in my stable...

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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:52 pm
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I'm currently on the lookout for a fretless bass.

The J-Bass would be cool, but finances dictate I also consider other options at this time.

I did like much about the Squier version--except the necks on all I've seen in person (I've seen them in four stores locally) were warped.
And checking online --including here--indicate this is not a one time issue that goes away after a few adjustments over a short period of time, but an ongoing issue over a longer period of time.

I also missed out on a used MIM JBass at one store--it sold very quickly, and was a reasonably priced.

I'm also considering a couple of other brands--but I still hope to find a used MIM or MIA fretless J Bass

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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:41 am
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hieronymous, mine is a MIM, 1997-1998. I called Fender and they couldn't tell me exactly what year. brotherdave gave me all i could ever ask of what the history of my bass was.

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zontar, I tried a bunch of the Squier fretless basses, they sucked. I was really surprised because the VM Modified Jazz basses were great. I played six before I bought one. It doesn't have the power of my Fenders, but it's a good back-up.

After numerous attempts, i finally bought something off Craigslist. I saw the bass, got in touch with the guy, and went out out and got it. What a novel concept. Keep your eyes open, one may come along, good luck!


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:52 am
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stroker vance wrote:
Jaco was the man! I saw him play at a club in Ft. Laud. He was just incredible.
He used to walk home from the strip carrying his bass with no case. It was hard to miss him. Well for me it was cause I was a bass player too. Here comes this guy trucking along with a SB Jazz in one hand. How cool that was I can't describe.

I guess I need a fretless. It's about time I
break the seal.


You know Fenton Farnjsworth and Jaco were great pals. Actually, Jaco quit using a case because Fenton never did. That was a bad thing because Fenton would go into a bar, or restaurant, and lean his bass against a chair and hang his coat on it. Then he'd forget he wore a coat and would walk out without either.

I agree as to your needing a fretless.

Is that seal the one you got when Seaworld in Aurora closed down?


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:51 am
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Hey Oxfan,.... fret board wise how's it going with intonation & staying in tune?
I find that on my fretless I have to play my notes just behind the fret line to be in key....
I also suggest you & Affprod too,.....get a book called the Fretless Bass from Bass Player Magazine if you don't have it, it's a good informative book & a culmination of interviews with the Fretless greats from past Bass Player issues & there's some exercises & Stuff.
Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Player-Prese ... tless+bass
this book came out in 2008 when I got my first fretless Bass ( after playing fretted for 30yrs) I bought it right away & still from time to time refer to it .......it's a good read. :)


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Post subject: Re: Going Fretless
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:44 am
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Hi James, as far as tuning and intonation, it's fine. Matter of fact, intonation may be the best of any of my basses. I've found that to hit the right note, I have to hit right on the fret lines.

I'll check out your suggestion. thanks!


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