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Post subject: Fretless Bass Neck
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 4:51 am
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Hi there. I'm hoping to put a fretless neck on a Fender P I have (a 1989 '57 re-issue). Any advice on a good value for money neck? I've never played fretless before, and I'm not sure if I'll pursue it, so as much as I'd like a classic old Fender neck, I'm not sure if I can justify the cost. I'm interested in aftermarket, Japanese or Mexican necks, or whether it's actually worth the expense of getting an older Fender neck, either soundwise or playability wise. I'm also interested in opinions about maple versus rosewood (or any other figerboard timber). Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Fretless Bass Neck
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:47 am
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Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:19 pm
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Being that you're not totally shure if you want to pursue playing fretless bass, maybe you should look to the possibility of renting one at you're local music store to see if you'd enjoy pursueing it,... or try to find a new or used Squier Vintage modified Jazz Bass http://www.fender.com/en-CA/products/vi ... s-fretless
it's a relatively affordable bass (street price new $399.00 & used $199.00) to help you decide if you'd like to peruse Frettless Bass... also finding a fretless maple fretboard won't be easy ( though I may be wrong) but if you really just want to get a fretless neck try Warmoth http://www.warmoth.com/Pages/ClassicSho ... =Spotlight .......Maybe Brother Dave may have a suggestion for you?....good luck & keep us posted.. :)


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Post subject: Re: Fretless Bass Neck
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:27 am
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Location: Albemarle, NC
James gave some good advice. Especially maybe renting one to try for a week or month. The trouble around here is that only fretted basses are for rent.

Another suggestion would be to find a used Fender MIM fretless Jazz from the 90s. These routinely go for about $275 to $350 on auction sites. They are decent. If you don't like fretless you can easily sell it off for about what you paid without losing much and in some cases maybe clear $10.

That isn't true of a fretless neck that you buy new, use a while and then try to sell. It either won't sell fast or won't sell for half of what you paid for it. That being said, Warmoth or Allparts have decent reputations and in that order of preference from my experience. Since it is your first fretless a lined (marks where the frets would be) neck makes more sense than an unlined one.

Buying the new Squier active fretless is a good idea if you plan to keep it, otherwise you lose money when reselling that too. If you can find one used, then I might try that instead of the Fender MIM if it is cheaper as it is comparable in playability but sounds hotter for less money. The older passive Squier Jacko knockoff played great but the electronics were lackluster. While the newer fretless Squier is active and plenty hot it plays pretty good too.

If fretless doesn't work out for you, a complete instrument is easier to sell than an unwanted neck. You will lose far less money on a used instrument than a new instrument when reselling it.

Some players once used to fretless actually prefer it over fretted and say they won't ever go back to fretted. I find fretless fun to play and while I don't currently have one I am looking locally for a deal on one. I'll stumble on one eventually. I'm looking mid to late 90's Fender MIM in sunburst or a white. I did find an Agave Blue one for $325, but it had been modded with some features I didn't want or need. Personally I prefer passive to active most of the time, but that is just me. I have an active, but I don't use it much. I think I'd use a passive more often as they sound more organic.


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Post subject: Re: Fretless Bass Neck
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 3:37 am
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I am also in the hunt for a Fender fretless. I bought a fretless from another manufacutorer, and it's fun. However, I am left still wanting a Fender for the tone and the feel. So, don't settle. I do love playing the fretless, so buying this other bass did help me realize that I was able to play a fretless and enjoy it.


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Post subject: Re: Fretless Bass Neck
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:54 am
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I was playing bass for 29 yrs before I bought my first fretless bass (in 2007) I always had this fear that I may not be able to pull it off but I did. ....I bought a Jaco Fretless & never looked back,.... Love fretless bass, & love my Jaco fretless :)


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