Members JacieFB Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 I'm considering a fretless bass... My 2 top contenders are: 1) New Fender American Jazz Fretless 2) 1977 Fender Fretless Precision I'm thinking that the Jazz is probably the place to start--for one, it has lines and I'm new to the fretless world. For two, I'm loving my Fender American Jazz basses these days. I've always wanted a '77 Fender Bass, though. Someday, it'll happen. Hopefully before they increase in cost tremendously. Anyone have any thoughts? Anything I should try? Any bad experiences with the 2 basses I mentioned?
Members Perfessor Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 I had a '73 fretless Precision I sold to get an upright in 1980. Still sorry. It was a wonderful instrument. No fret lines, just dots where they usually are on the side.
Members ARES Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by JacieFB I've always wanted a '77 Fender Bass, though. Someday, it'll happen. Hopefully before they increase in cost tremendously. gone shopping lately? they ain't cheap. i really want a 78 jazz bass but am not willing to spend $3000... yet.
Members JacieFB Posted October 4, 2005 Author Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by Perfessor I had a '73 fretless Precision I sold to get an upright in 1980. Still sorry. It was a wonderful instrument. No fret lines, just dots where they usually are on the side. Kind of an over-all Fender quality question, possibly with subjective answers, but: Would a '77 be in the same league with that '73? I've read some not-exactly-confirmable things saying that towards the late 70's, the quality went to hell. Thanks for the opinion, by the way. The '77 that I'm interested in has the same thing, no lines...just a blank sheet of maple. Tasty, but it looks a bit daunting to actually play.
Members JacieFB Posted October 4, 2005 Author Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by ARES gone shopping lately? they ain't cheap. i really want a 78 jazz bass but am not willing to spend $3000... yet. Hmm...they have a '77 (fretted) Jazz bass hanging in the Guitar Center near me going for $2000. And from what I've seen on Ebay, that seems a bit over-priced. I guess if you want it "perfect", then yeah, you could easily pay that much. Price is a consideration for my choice, though. I feel like the American Jazz basses these days are at least close to being worth the grand you have to spend for them, so I'm making the "leap" that the fretless version will be as well...which is, I guess maybe one of my questions.
Members takeout Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 The late-70's ones can be fine. Just play it first, is all. You'd be surprised how fast your ears and fingers catch up if you put in a decent amount of practice on a blank board. Hell, I was gigging with my upright after a month. Not gigging well, but gigging (and being complemented, for some reason).
Members bnyswonger Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 I'd love to have a 70's fretless P...far more than a jazz. Just my taste.
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by takeout You'd be surprised how fast your ears and fingers catch up if you put in a decent amount of practice on a blank board. Hell, I was gigging with my upright after a month. Not gigging well, but gigging (and being complemented, for some reason). +1.
Members Meatball Fulton Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by takeout The late-70's ones can be fine. Just play it first, is all. Agreed....the quality control was the issue, a lot were dogs but SOME were just fine. Usually the more beat the better the bass is (good ones got played, bad ones didn't). The big problem I have with the late 70s models is that most bodies used the heaviest ash known to man...I've heard some weigh over 13 pounds! By comparison, pre-CBS alder bodied basses are typically about 8 pounds. The late 70s necks were also pretty chunky (not my favorite).
Members takeout Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by Meatball Fulton ...The big problem I have with the late 70s models is that most bodies used the heaviest ash known to man...I've heard some weigh over 13 pounds! By comparison, pre-CBS alder bodied basses are typically about 8 pounds. The late 70s necks were also pretty chunky (not my favorite). Oh God - no kidding. The dad of one of my friends in high school had a late-70's P; we jammed in their basement one night and that thing nearly severed my left arm at the shoulder.
Members NV43345 Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by JacieFB I'm considering a fretless bass... My 2 top contenders are: 1) New Fender American Jazz Fretless 2) 1977 Fender Fretless Precision I'm thinking that the Jazz is probably the place to start--for one, it has lines and I'm new to the fretless world. For two, I'm loving my Fender American Jazz basses these days. I've always wanted a '77 Fender Bass, though. Someday, it'll happen. Hopefully before they increase in cost tremendously. Anyone have any thoughts? Anything I should try? Any bad experiences with the 2 basses I mentioned? If I were you,i would go with the Jazz. It all depends on what you are going to play on it. I own a 78 Fretless P-Bass and I played Rock on it for years. The tone is right in there for Police songs. I also have a couple Fretless Jazz Basses and I get more of the Jaco vibe from them.
Members JacieFB Posted October 4, 2005 Author Members Posted October 4, 2005 Cool...it's confirmed. I want both. I'm a Fender kind of guy...made the switch after the dreaded neck-bow on my Stingray on tour. Any other brands around a grand?
Members LanEvo Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by ARES i really want a 78 jazz bass but am not willing to spend $3000... yet. Why a 78? I like the earlier 70's better. I picked up a gorgeous 72 Jazz from its original owner. Much better instrument than the later 70's, which seem to be quite heavy/clunky. Originally posted by JacieFB Kind of an over-all Fender quality question, possibly with subjective answers, but: Would a '77 be in the same league with that '73? I've read some not-exactly-confirmable things saying that towards the late 70's, the quality went to hell.70's Fender basses and guitars are notoriously "hit or miss." Sometimes you can find a real gem...but many (most?) are pretty crappy. This is why I don't understand how people can buy these basses off E-Bay. You really need to play them to make sure the one you're looking at is worth the investment. Emre
Members takeout Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 You might look into getting a Moses fretless neck and rolling your own from there. There are tons of Fender and related parts on Ebay.
Members ARES Posted October 4, 2005 Members Posted October 4, 2005 Originally posted by LanEvo Why a 78? I like the earlier 70's better. I picked up a gorgeous 72 Jazz from its original owner. Much better instrument than the later 70's, which seem to be quite heavy/clunky. just because the best one i played was a 78. any 70's jazz would be fine, provided it has a maple fretboard. Originally posted by LanEvo 70's Fender basses and guitars are notoriously "hit or miss." Sometimes you can find a real gem...but many (most?) are pretty crappy. This is why I don't understand how people can buy these basses off E-Bay. You really need to play them to make sure the one you're looking at is worth the investment. Emre completely agree, but i say that about every instrument. i'm hesitant to even special order an instrument i know i'll love, in case it doesn't have that soul i need.
Members JacieFB Posted October 4, 2005 Author Members Posted October 4, 2005 Yeah...I want a 77 because it's my birth year and I'm a dork like that. I would use these/this instrument(s) for my own originals. I have a couple of songs that are just begging to be played fretless. And I'm somewhat of a gear aquirer. You understand, right?
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