Raslee Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I'm in the market for a fretless at the mo and nothing seems to be coming up second hand, although i will wait out for a bit. Played a Squire VM Jazz fretless last week and it was really nice to play but i have also read good things about the Vintage Icon V96 relic fretless Jazz bass. Apart from the coolish relic looks of the Vintage it has Wilkinson hardware which is apealing to me. Have checked vids for both on youtube and both are impressive. I am also prefering a lined fretless as i am most definitely on 'L' plates in fretless territory. Vintage :- May wait out though to see if i can get a cheap Fender fretless or Tokai or similar. What should i do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I would simply get a good used J bass (Tokai, Squier etc) and de-fret it. Maybe coat the fingerboard if you want the real Jaco tone (but you don't have to). An ebony fingerboard is a step up for a fretless, but not strictly necessary. You'll get a better deal and a wider choice if you buy used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 [quote name='BassBod' post='987308' date='Oct 13 2010, 07:22 PM']I would simply get a good used J bass (Tokai, Squier etc) and de-fret it. Maybe coat the fingerboard if you want the real Jaco tone (but you don't have to). An ebony fingerboard is a step up for a fretless, but not strictly necessary. You'll get a better deal and a wider choice if you buy used.[/quote] Yeah good idea, but how do i do a de-fret? Or is it a luthier job, in which case is it expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 man, i could have sold you back your old one! but it went to some jazz player who was going to give it to overwater to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 [quote name='LukeFRC' post='987325' date='Oct 13 2010, 07:39 PM']man, i could have sold you back your old one! but it went to some jazz player who was going to give it to overwater to work on.[/quote] Yes mate, i knew soon as i parted with that one i'd miss it, but during that particular time it never got played for years and sod law says that now i will be needing a fretless for some band stuff. Still i do like a change every so often, just hoping i get the tone as well as that Aria did....i doubt it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Getting the frets out isn't hard, although the right (flat head) nippers help a lot. There's been a few threads on here - search in repairs? Its usually cheaper than a re-fret if a luthier does it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 There is a shop in Edinburgh selling that Vintage line. I didn't try them, but the guitars looked very well put together, QC looked good close-up. I'm intrigued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Look out for one of the fretless Westone Thunders, they come up and don't get bid so high due to the specialist nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Bajo Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Vintage are good basses, GAK are listing the above for 199 so not bad but I reckon go 2nd hand to go even cheaper! They also do a fretless of their own (V940) which looks nice but never heard any reviews on it: [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72488"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72488[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='987389' date='Oct 13 2010, 08:45 PM']Look out for one of the fretless Westone Thunders, they come up and don't get bid so high due to the specialist nature.[/quote] These are great basses - but I think the factory fretless was unlined, also the Thunder 1 (most common & cheapest) has a single P pup, so not really a Jazz style. Personally I've been tempted for a while by the Squier VM fretless, not heard a bad word about them & they sell on here for £150 or less. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 See if this is still for sale: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85336&hl=tokai+fretless"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...=tokai+fretless[/url] I had serious GAS for that when it was posted! I wouldn't worry about lined/unlined, it's not really any more difficult in the lower registers and an unlined bass looks so much nicer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 [quote name='lemmywinks' post='987955' date='Oct 14 2010, 12:35 PM']See if this is still for sale: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85336&hl=tokai+fretless"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...=tokai+fretless[/url] I had serious GAS for that when it was posted! I wouldn't worry about lined/unlined, it's not really any more difficult in the lower registers and an unlined bass looks so much nicer![/quote] Ah cheers for that, i've PM'd matey about the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 If you do buy it can i have 1st dibs if you decide to move it on? I really wanted that bass! My idea of what a fretless J should look like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 That Tokai looks superb... real mojo. Jazz basses make great frelesses. I had the frets stoned to the tangs on mine and fitted a J-Retro. Had severe gas for a Squier VM fretless as a passive backup. The Vintage Jaco look intriguing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 Got the VM Squire off Gust0o in the end for a good price, like new also. Plays really well, good Jaco tone on the bridge although i cannot play like Jaco for shizzle. All round very impressive, smooth play good warmth from the neck pick up too - well worthy of a try folks if they have one in your local muso store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Fantastic basses - I've had 2 now. I have never been a fan of Jazz basses, never liked their sound but fretless they totally work for me. If I ever went back to using a fretless, this is what I'd have again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruck Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 If you can find one: Yamaha bb414 Fretless. Look no further for great tone and build quality at budget price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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