Cscsiga Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 So I’m happy to own a 78 fretless P bass with rosewood fingerboard. It’s not original anyway because the finish was stripped down in the past. What do you think about it? I know there are plenty of aftermarket replacement necks but I love the look of the original.
Linus27 Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 If the neck is an original 78 fretless neck or an genuine original fretless neck then if you want to fret if then I will find you and make you eat goulash every day until you see sense 😆 Basically, if the neck is an original vintage fretless neck then no. If it isn't then crack on.
Cscsiga Posted October 23, 2022 Author Posted October 23, 2022 Yeah I guess that’s why I’m hesitating. It’s an all original neck and I’m hundred percent sure I’d regret it. On the other hand if I have it done, I would not sell it ever. I’m standing on the edge with this.
Grimalkin Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 It's your piece of wood. What does the bass sound like? I used to buy basses in pairs and get one de-fretted. I'd choose what I considered the "lighter" sounding of the pair to de-fret. Playing on a bare board has more 'fill' than on frets.
bertbass Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 Regardless of age, it's just a tool that you use for your trade. Do it! 1978 is not really vintage though is it! 1
nilorius Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 Only if You allready have a good fretless and need a fretted also.
Doctor J Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 Fret it. Play it. It's a mass-produced tool for making music, it's not the Mona Lisa. 3 1
Woodwind Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 I'm with all those that say fret it. Get it done and play it. does it have dots on the board? If not then you get the bonus of having a nice blank fretted board (this is just my own prejudice as I can not stand dots on a fretboard 🤣)
Velarian Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 BITD I had my 1977 fretted maple neck Precision made into a fretless. As nice a job as it was, 35 years later I regret doing that. I should have left it alone and just bought a fretless bass. So, if yours is an original fretless neck my advice would be just get another fretted bass. 1
Paul S Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 It's your bass so do whatever you feel you want to. Having said that, if it were mine, I'd leave it be and buy a fretted bass. There's plenty out there. 2
ezbass Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 51 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said: NO... Buy a Fretted Neck This ^^^ It is exactly what I was going to post.
EssentialTension Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 You can and will do whatever you like. I would keep it as it is.
Grimalkin Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 I like having a bridge pickup in a fretless. I would just do it.
Cscsiga Posted October 23, 2022 Author Posted October 23, 2022 It’s not that I don’t have a fretted bass. I’m grateful to have 3 other perfectly serving fretted basses. But that P has a totally different sound than the others and it would serve me better with frets in the music I play. But it’s interesting how devisive this topic is. 1
EssentialTension Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 2 minutes ago, Cscsiga said: It’s not that I don’t have a fretted bass. I’m grateful to have 3 other perfectly serving fretted basses. But that P has a totally different sound than the others and it would serve me better with frets in the music I play. But it’s interesting how devisive this topic is. ... and if you have it fretted will it still sound the same?
Grimalkin Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 10 minutes ago, Cscsiga said: But it’s interesting how devisive this topic is. You must be new here... 2
Passinwind Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 Nope, I wouldn't put speed bumps on any fretless bass for any reason. 1
Linus27 Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 22 minutes ago, Cscsiga said: It’s not that I don’t have a fretted bass. I’m grateful to have 3 other perfectly serving fretted basses. But that P has a totally different sound than the others and it would serve me better with frets in the music I play. But it’s interesting how devisive this topic is. In that case, sell the fretless if its surplus to requirements and buy a fretted Precision.
EssentialTension Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 25 minutes ago, Cscsiga said: ... But it’s interesting how devisive this topic is. You're divided about it yourself or you woudln't have asked.
Cscsiga Posted October 23, 2022 Author Posted October 23, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, EssentialTension said: You're divided about it yourself or you woudln't have asked. Yeah sure but it’s also like when a shrink says I already know the answer and the decision has been made long before I asked the question. I’m more like in the “it’s a tool and it should serve you to do your craft” team. Edited October 23, 2022 by Cscsiga
SubsonicSimpleton Posted October 23, 2022 Posted October 23, 2022 Necks are IMO really important to the overall sound/response of electric guitars/basses - I would get a new/used fretted neck and if you like the sound, get the new neck cosmetically aged to match, or just buy a fretted P-bass for this project. In my experience, irreversible destructive mods are a gamble that isn't worth taking on an instrument that you really like, or have money that you can't afford to lose tied up in. 3
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