Clarky

My back has deteriorated - combination of old slipped disc, rotator cuff injury to left shoulder and, most annoyingly, recent lower back muscle damage from my cholesterol lowering medication - so I cannot really go above 9 pounds for a bass if I am to play for any reasonable amount of time (30 minutes plus).

I have an Items Wanted search on BC for a fretless Fender P, PJ or J bass but was thinking on about this. I am intrinsically a Precision fanboy but various BCers have said in the past that a Jazz gets closer to a double bass sound (bridge pickup solo'd with tone rolled off) which is my main tone target with a fretless. Clearly the ideal would be to cover all bases (excuse the pun) with a PJ such as a Tony Franklin fretless. However the likelihood of getting hold of a reasonable priced s/h one is low, given I just missed out on Legion/Jas' TF last week. So if I am to get a P or a J fretless, which would be better for my needs? The alternative is simply to get a Takamine TB10 or B10 acoustic fretless which would definitely sound DB-ish but is bulkier, more fragile and potentially feedback prone (according to some). Thoughts, peeps? PS, I have a double bass before anyone suggests that Also I am a traditionalist in my tastes

[quote name='martin8708' post='1355784' date='Aug 29 2011, 10:36 PM']Hi Clarky I am quoting from the Vintage Guitar Guide by Alan Greenwood and Gil Hembree ''An original instrument must have the original finish . A refinished guitar is generally worth about 50% or less of the value shown in the guide .A repaired guitar , technically ,is not all original . Repairs can make a guitar generally worth 5% to 50% less than values shown in the guide . A professional re-fret or very minor nearly invisible body repair will reduce a guitars value by only 5% . As a fellow 63 P-Bass owner , the pleasure of owning these instruments is playing something unique and if the neck needs a refret to bring it to its full potential , it will only enhance the instrument . As it is a refin , it will never be a '' museum -grade '' instrument , so relax , get the refret ( with period correct frets ) and enjoy . PS , spent 2 weeks in Tuscany , now its a toss up between Corfu and Italy for that bolt-hole .[/quote] Cheers Martin, I am off abroad on biz for most of next two weeks but will be visiting the Gallery at the earliest opportunity with my 63P Re: bolt-hole, the food's better in Italy than Corfu! That would settle it for me

My wife has a vintage husband. All-original, apparently he is worthless to any collector in current state and she is keen to have him modded for maximum playability

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1353955' date='Aug 27 2011, 10:55 PM']I've had two of these and sold them both. What a fool I am...[/quote] Substitute one for two and thats me. Gutted that I missed buying back Jas' TF but Wal fretlesses (I need to sell mine to pay for any incoming bass) seem to be as much in demand at the moment as yeast infections (6-12 months ago couldn't buy one for love nor money). Enjoy your new bass Gareth and I will almost certainly be annoying you with random PMs nagging you to sell it to me

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1962-Fender-Jazz-Bass-Fiesta-Red-/330606745884?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4cf9b2991c#ht_500wt_1156"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1962-Fender-Jazz...c#ht_500wt_1156[/url]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1353391' date='Aug 27 2011, 10:37 AM']The jazz in that first clip sounds terrible. That's the only bad thing I have to say about anything I've heard her do.[/quote] Agreed. She is an amazing talent but that is a nasty, scratchy/plonky fretless sound

Very nice Barrie. Looking at your gear list now, just how big is your music room?

Ooh that's mighty purdy

[quote name='Mr Bassman' post='1352928' date='Aug 26 2011, 07:44 PM']Frets? who needs frets? get them ripped out! Seriously tho, get the frets sorted and play the hell out of it for another 50 years[/quote] I like the idea of me still playing bass at 98! My mind is made up. Is going to The Gallery at the earliest opportunity

Petty clear consensus emerging here. I probably would be more circumspect if it were all-original but its not (as its a refin) so I am inclined to have Mr Petersen look over it. Thanks you all for helping clear up my thoughts

[quote name='Conan' post='1352662' date='Aug 26 2011, 04:06 PM']Replacing the frets on a fretted bass so that it can be played is hardly what I'd call "chopping and changing"! But yes, it does depend on what you see as the medium to long-term future of this bass. If you want to keep it for another 10+ years and play it regularly, I'd say go for a quality re-fret. If you just wanna keep it long enough to sell on at a tidy profit - then obviously keep it as "original" as possible until that time. Which probably means that you shouldn't be playing it! Not sure I understand the mentality of keeping good quality musical instruments in the loft as an investment though... [/quote] Its a year-of-birth bass and I have no intention of selling (unless a disaster scenario hits the Clarky houehold, heaven forfend). I intend to grow old (OK, even older) with it so I do want it play-able above being seen as an investment

[quote name='Hobbayne' post='1352602' date='Aug 26 2011, 03:38 PM']If it is a working instument and you wish to play it, get it refretted. If not maybe you should just forget about it.[/quote] It is a working instrument (I'm not precious about playing it in dives even if its vintage, its meant to be played)

[quote name='BassBod' post='1352570' date='Aug 26 2011, 03:21 PM']If its going to wear flats, then I wouldn't - provided it plays ok with a medium/high action. Otherwise I'd get it re-fretted (and have the fingerboard checked over for level at the same time). That's the sort of problem I like.[/quote] Thanks! Its wearing TI Jazz Flats and the action is medium/low - I guess taking the action up to medium would be your and Chris_b's advice then

My '63 Precision has got very little fret life left and buzzes on the A string at the 7th-9th frets. It is in obvious need of a fret stoning but in truth would probably benefit from a complete refret. However, its vintage innit so should I put up with a small amount of fret buzz and keep the bass as true to its original state as possible (I hasten to add its a refin, although all-original bar the paint) or should I say stuff it, its for playing and it needs a new set of frets? Poll added of course as its a Friday