Linus27

[quote name='Starless' post='849151' date='May 27 2010, 08:48 AM']It's interesting that the Satin Jazz is mentioned in a fretless thread. As the previous owner of the little beauty, it had sat in a bag for months while I had mulled over converting it to fretless. I already have a workhorse CIJ 62 Jazz so the satin was in effect a duplicate. I came very close to making the journey to Glasgow to discuss removing the fretboard (completely) and replacing with an un-lined rosewood slab. It would then have been the coolest fretless Jazz in existence. The cost of that on top of its original value (not to mention the shipping/charges etc from Japan) would have taken it over my self-imposed limit for carting around to gigs (i.e. I would have been 'fretting' about anything happening to it). I'm determined to find a half-decent looking un-lined fretless Jazz somewhere, as my current fretless is a P, and I just don't get on with the neck as well as a Jazz. I tried to find a trade for it on here last year sometime - anyone remember this? - Once again, it's another one sitting in a bag doing nothing..... (I really must stop acquiring stunning looking Japanese Fenders). For the amount of money involved, those Walnut Squiers actually look like a no-lose situation no matter what is eventually done to them - the only restricting factor is the word 'Squier' on the headstock. I know they are perfectly good guitars, I know they are well built, I know that 'name-on-the-headstock' snobbery is evil and self-defeating... but... but...[/quote] Interesting story. When I saw the pictures of your Walnut Jazz, I imagined it would look stunning as a Fretless, either unlined like your idea or with walnut coloured lines. I think it would had looked super cool especially with all the black hardware. However, if I had got it from you, still not sure I could had gone through changing it to fretless as its such a great looking rare bass and not 100% I would had wanted to muck about with it You have now got me thinking again about pimping the Walnut Squire Not so worried about the headstock as I would buy a lined fretless Fender neck for it. In fact everything would be changed on it, only leaving the Squire body.

[quote name='dlloyd' post='849060' date='May 27 2010, 12:10 AM']There was one for sale up until Monday. It's sitting a couple of feet away from me and the frets are staying on it (for the time being). Having done some homework on them, I'd say it's going to be quite difficult to get a hold of another one in the UK. They're non-export and they aren't made any more. I get the impression they're fairly rare. Fender Japan do a gloss version of it, but it's not cheap... at recommended retail it would cost around £1000 to import a new one, but you could probably source one for around £850 all told.[/quote] Damn, its you that bought it To be honest, if I had bagged it, I would had probably kept it fretted and de-fretted my ESP ... maybe. I agree, it is going to be pretty impossible to find another. One of the Jap import websites has the gloss one but thats at £899 and way more than I wanted to pay. Unless you sell your one, I can't see me ever finding one. So how is it the bass? Does it sound good and look as good as the pictures?

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='849053' date='May 26 2010, 11:55 PM']I'm quite sure there is a CIJ walnut satin jazz in the for sale section(try a search) it's fretted however but it would save you time to just defret the neck than huntfor a fretlezz one.[/quote] That original picture and link I posted is from that thread. I would had bought that bass for sure but I missed it by a whisker. Really gutted to be honest. Its stunning

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='849023' date='May 26 2010, 11:09 PM']I wish I had this schedule.[/quote] It was very hard work and very tiring, but we made it that way ourselves. We knew we were very fortunate and lucky to have a record deal and tried not to abuse it. We chose our own routine and stuck to it. Even on days we did not rehearse, I still set myself a routine of being up by 10am to spend some hours songwriting or working on songs. It would had been very easy to fall into the trap of staying up late and getting up late in the day and sitting back doing nothing all day. Looking back and knowing what I know now, to be honest, I would had worked twice as hard at it but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Not so much at the rehearsals but the bussiness and managing side of things. Still, best time of my life but also a massive release of pressure when it ended if I'm honest.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='848977' date='May 26 2010, 10:05 PM']If I was signed I'd be more than happy to devote my life to it! Alas, the band I have left were nowhere near that stage. I envy your experience The main problem is now I feel very apprehensive joining other covers bands.[/quote] I can understand that. I joined a band last year that turned out to be full of losers. Total wasters in love with themselves. Dented my confidence and desire to join another band. Just hang in there, put it down to experience and look for the next challenge. Stick with it, your a good bassist and some band will be more than happy to have you playing for them.

When signed, we would rehearse every week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for around 10 hours a day. This would be working on the set, especially if gigs coming up, writing and working on new songs, record company bussiness and the odd game of headers and volley. Friday, Saturday and Sundays would be for gigs and Monday we would have as our day off. Plus studio, promotion etc could be on any day it happens on. We did work very hard at it.

Thanks for the input guys. Rich, that was kind of what I was worried about. My VMJ is very good but I would like something much better and I was worried the Walnut Squire may not give me much more than what I already have. I may have to give up on the idea of Walnut Satin as I really do not think I will find a CIJ model. Such a shame Fender only do their standard Jazz basses in two colours, black and sunburst. Back to the drawing board.

I am on the hunt about for a half decent Fender fretless Jazz bass. I have fallen in love big time with the Walnut Satin colour as seen in the bass in this thread. [attachment=50643:bass02.jpg] However, this colour only comes in the CIJ Fender Re-Issue Jazz or the Squire Jazz bass. The CIJ Fender is going to be pretty impossible to find. So, would it be a bad move to buy the Squire Jazz and pimp it? I would change the neck to a lined Fender fretless, the pickups to a set of Barts (my favourite pickups) and the chrome hardware (tuners, bridge, neck plate, controls and plate) to black/gunmetal Fender ones. So the only Squire part remaining would be the Agathis Walnut Satin body. Is this a really dumb thing to do or am I going to get a half decent fretless bass in the end? I already have a Squire VMJ Fretless which is very good but compared to my Stingray, Warwick, ESP Jazz, you can tell the build quality is not on the same level. This is the Squire I would look to pimp. [attachment=50642:40767_l.jpg] What you think. Stupid idea or a good plan?

[quote name='Clarky' post='847184' date='May 25 2010, 09:01 AM']Linus27, buy it off Wayne (he's got it on for a very good price) and get it de-fretted at the Gallery for £90. All-in cost for the bass you want £450 - seems a pretty good deal if that what you are after???[/quote] Thanks Clarky, that did cross my mind. I kind of like the mojo effect of the HW1.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='847031' date='May 24 2010, 11:24 PM']This is my old HW1 Jazz. Waynes selling it on here at the moment so im sure he wont mind, its all good publicity. [/quote] Nice one Dave, thanks. I so wish that was fretless. I would snap it up. By the way, I keep meaning to PM you but just not found time. Not caught up with you for ages.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='846958' date='May 24 2010, 10:20 PM']Okay, here's as close as I can get - I think I've got RSI now after doing this! Oh bloody hell, I just realised... It's maple, not rosewood! Back to the drawing board [/quote] HAHA thanks Rich. Good effort. Now if you can make it fretless also then its exactly what I am after

[quote name='P-punk' post='846571' date='May 24 2010, 03:18 PM']My Candy Apple Red CIJ Jazz with a black scratchplate. [/quote] PERFECT If you have any more piccies that would be super brilliant and very appreciated. Thanks.

Does anyone have a picture of red/burgundy/candy cola Fender Jazz with rosewood neck and black scratchplate. Would be really helpful if you can post pictures in here. Thanks.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='846376' date='May 24 2010, 11:41 AM']Just resurfacing this topic... Ive been listening to the clips again, and as my Classic is no longer incoming, I was thinking of just getting a new 4 string Ray, single H. At first I thought it has to be 2EQ. Now listening again, I think Id miss the complexity and sheer grunt of the 3EQ. Its a tone Ive gotten used to for years, and all the bands I like normally have 3 EQ Rays to really blast through the mix. Thanks for these clips Linus.[/quote] You are very welcome. My take on it was this. I wanted a bass that would do big fat driving rock, something that a Precision would do. For me, the 2EQ was better. Its fatter sounding than the 3EQ and has a more simple tone whilst retaining the Musicman tone. The 3EQ has more versatility and more scope and would suit more styles. Both are amazing but I wanted a more simple Precision type appraoch and so it was 2EQ all the way.

Thanks guys. I've played for over 20 years and recorded fretless before. Plus my ear is pretty strong. I just wondered if there was any material/books that might tell me something I don't already know. I'll just stick with what I'm doing for now then. Cheers.

That is so accurate is scary. Great stuff.

Can anyone recommend any good books/dvd for fretless bass playing/tuition. Amazon has a few but no idea if they are any good or not. Thanks

I have 2 x GS112 and they really are amazing sounding cabs. I run them with my Genz Benz Shuttle 6 amp and I have no need or desire to change either.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='837793' date='May 15 2010, 12:37 AM']I can chime in a little. I really wanted to like the ex demo Streamer 5 $$ I had for about 3 days but I just didn't gel with the neck, and more so first fret position. If you already know you like that, you might like the $$ as it sounds very different to the Stingray. Totally different tone to me. Hopefully this helps.[/quote] Hey Gareth, yeah thats a great help. My Corvette has a super thin neck. It did take me a few month to get used to the longer neck and the first fret position but now its fine. So how would you descibe the sound if nothing like a Stingray? Tight, punchy, clean, smooth. Would be really interested to hear your thoughts.

I've sold my 75 Jazz so now I am thinking about getting a Streamer $$ or LX. I like the idea of an LX but its too expensive new and very unlikley I will find a second hand one in natural Ash. The other option is the Streamer $$ but again quite pricey new and again unlikley to find a second hand one in natural ash. I'm also a bit worried the $$ will make it sound too similar to my stingray considering it has the same pickups.