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I got my first fretless on an impulse a few years ago, a secondhand MIM Jazz for about £300. I didn't play very much at first but recently have been using it with a pop band and it sounds great, especially recorded! I've added a Gotoh bridge and some foam under it and couldn't be happier, I'll link some tracks I recorded last week with it when I get them

I'm sure loads of posts have been made along these lines before but I couldn't find exactly what i was looking for and I don;t know much about upgrading so need to detailed advice! I have a fretless MIM jazz at the moment and I've found that for recording the sound of fretless could be a lot nicer than my fretted musicman, but I got the bass second hand and its a bit rattly and i dont feel i can trust it at the moment. I have ordered a Gotoh bridge for it which should be here in the next few days which should cure a few rattling problems, otherwise I'll look at maybe replacing the nut? Also pickups, the MIM jazz stock ones really dont make the nice sound i am looking forward , it's very dull and lifeless. I'm looking for a nice warm sound that I can record with but also need the definition to hear the notes well too. Ill be playing it for various things, from function work (possibly) to singer songwriter pop stuff to playing in musicals. I see people recommending Wizard pickups here all the time and today I also noticed the EMG Hz series for around the same price, anyone have any experience with these? I dont want to spend more than about 100 tops on pickups, so I'm guessing there arent any active options under this price (being that I would need to buy a preamp too)? Although I am a fan of the active controls on my musicman, and an not too much of a fan of the two volume, one tone control thing on a fender. Also, I have never fitted pickups before, are the above pickups likely to fit into the gaps perfectly or will some modification be needed? the knobs on the control plate also feel really loose which I dont like and the tone doesnt seem to change much until the very last quarter or each turn - is this a pickups issue or should I get a new control plate or something? The other thing is the strings, I have flats on it at the moment. But wonder if the reason I am not getting the difinition I want is because of these, and would I be better using half wounds or something like that? I am open to suggestions, and will consider active possibilities if they are of a resonable price, also I do like theplain black look of Barts and EMGs so am slightly inclined towards them, but sound definitely comes first. Any input anyone can give me would be a great help, cheers!

I started learning to read bass clef around last november when I played in Little Shop Of Horrors for my school and couldnt understand how we were expected to learn over 20 songs in a couple of weeks. The great thing about reading, is that you dont have to learn them - just have to read them. A few months of working on reading and I was getting work doing it. I'm by no means the best reader in the world but can easily get by and now get paid work in musicals in local theatres from time to time with one or two runs of the show before the opening night. For anyone who wants to make a living playing bass I think reading is essential. I'm only 17 but really hope it helps me to in a few years time

Hi all My names Dan, I'm 17 from Bucks, I have been playing for about 3 or 4 years now. I started on six string before moving to bass I play my Musicman Sub through an Orange Terror Bass and SP210. I also play a Fretless Mexican Jazz and a Poller Double Bass. Next on the wish list is probably a Lakland 55-02, for its versitility and the fact i need a five string that will see me though Uni and beyond (hopefully trinity or LIPA). Anyone have any thought or opinions on the Lakland or Trinity or LIPA? Cheers I love playing in musicals and have played in four in the last year, but I also do jazz trio and function band shows as well as originals bands. Nice to meet you all Dan