Linus27

Looking amazing already, love the contrast between the body wood and the neck wood.

This thread has been brilliant. I've discovered that all the strings I've liked, played and come back to over the years have been Hexcore and the the ones that have been less favourable have been Roundcore. Up until now, I didn't even know the difference. As a fretless player, I've never tried Nickel strings but after a few comments on here, I gave a set of Rotosound 66 Nickel Hybrid SM66N a go on my fretless Jazz (needed strings anyway and they were in stock for £19) and oh my, the tone is to die for and they are amazing to play. So my next move is to purchase a set of Newtone Nickel Hexcore rounds. I'm expecting really good things after the comments on here.

Thanks @itu, I had a play around and I swapped the Spark Booster and Compressor (Zoom MS-60B) around and it sounds so much better. So my board for fretless now looks like this. TC Electronic tuner > Boss OC5 Octave > EHX Bass Clone Chorus > Mooer Bass Sweeper > TC Electronic Spark Booster > Mooer A7 Reverb (Always On) > Zoom MS60B Opto Compressor (Always On)

I use the 208 as posted above and bought mine new from Andertons for £199. So even new they are not mega expensive. Great choice though.

Warwick Gnome IPro 280 and a TC Electronic 208. Light and portable and can be used for practice and gigs. It's my small combo option.

Here's my pedalboard used for fretless. TC Electronic tuner > Boss OC5 Octave > EHX Bass Clone Chorus > Mooer Bass Sweeper > Zoom MS60B Opto Compressor (Always On) > Mooer A7 Reverb (Always On) > TC Electronic Spark Booster Not sure the compressor is in the best location but I read it's best after Bass Sweeper to stop the spikes. I'm wondering if I should move it last in the chain?

I had a Hartke HA7000 when they first came out and quite simply the best amp head I've ever owned. Bought a second hand one about 5 years again and it confirmed it was absolutely amazing. Wish I'd never sold it but they are big heavy old beasts but truly amazing.

For me it would be these two basses. However, I only play fretless so I have no need for either and they would just sit under the bed collecting dust. Fender Vintera II 70's Telecaster Bass Fender Japan 51 Reissue P-Bass

One of these is on my list as well but more of a case of taking on a new challenge as I only play fretless but never owned or play a 5 string before.

I'll have you know it Chicken Rogan Josh.

I think it's easy to find a decent bass for £1200. Take the Fender Vintera II Telecaster bass, it's a smidge over £1k and is an absolutely wonderful bass. For less money, the Squier 40th Anniversary basses are wonderful and can be had for less than £400. Second hand, you then have the choice of the Japanese Fender's for about £850 and US Fenders for under £1200. My main bass is either a Fender Japan 62 RI Fretless Precision which cost me £850 or an Fender Japan 62 RI Fretless Jazz which cost about £600 back in the mid 80's. I also have a £800 Fender Mexico FSR Precision which is my main recording bass as it sounds the best. I also have a Fretless Stingray that cost me £1700 second hand and despite being great, I prefer my other 3 basses and I get regular compliments at gigs when I play them.

Very nice and did it have gold hardware? Do you have any pictures?

Mmmmm I'm now thinking, white Jazz, gold hardware but ebony fretless neck. I think that might be a bit of a looker

I'm not putting Karn down, if you look at my original reply, I say he's a fabulous player and I am a fan. My comments are just tongue in cheek towards Frank Black.

How dare you say that, I am officially sulking now for 14 minutes 🤣

Well, in return I can offer you two responses, A: I am not a massively huge Jaco fan either and only discovered him probably mid to late 90's and way after Mick Karn so I am unbiased on both despite being more receptive to Jaco's playing. B: When there's Pino and Giblin to listen to, why would you listen to Karn, it's like drinking water when you could drink Whiskey 🤣

That is super nice and I love how it's got the old retro headstock design.

That's a great story, thank you for sharing and it's a gorgeous looking bass.

Oh, let's not, I know what's coming and I might cry. I'll let you know when it does 😂 In the mean time, lovely Yamaha, what model is it?

Probably going to be an unpopular opinion but I'm not a huge fan of Mick's playing despite growing up in the 80's and the fretless bass being my main instrument. There's absolutely no doubt his talent, technical ability and musicianship is incredible and he has to be considered as one of the top fretless bassist's but his playing is just a little too qwerky and disjointed for my enjoyment. I also never liked Japan for this reason as well. I'm very much in the camp of more melody and harmony and why I associate more with the likes of Pino and Giblin. Likewise, Jaco sounds more melodic to my ears despite not being a huge listener of his playing. Bizarrely enough, last year someone came up to me after a gig and said he could hear Mick Karn influences in my playing which I put down to growing up listening to 80's music thanks to my two sisters and my friend being a huge Japan fan. I guess I was just absorbing what I was hearing. Either way, I went home and started listening to all the Mick Karn stuff I had and I still struggled with it. As for Mick vs Jaco, for me you can't compare, Mick had his style and Jaco had his, equally as talented and equally brilliant.

I'm 53 and have done thousands of gigs. Some years its only being about 10 a year, others 30 to 40 and a few years ago, well over 100. So I'm always playing a practising. I would also say that I play every day, anything from 10 mins to 3 - 4 hours. The last few years, I'm playing about 40 gigs a year and we rehearse every Tuesday. However, what I do find is the following day after a gig, I'm waking up with a sore neck/shoulder and sometimes a headache. Its probably an age thing and a tension headache bought on from the sniff neck and shoulder. Prior to Friday's gig, the last gig I played was November 16th so a few months back so the following day was particularly noticeable for a headache and stiff neck and shoulders.

Really excited to see the finished project and it's going to look stunning with your choice of woods.

I can relate to this and no hate from me but it does just seem like lift music or a technical exercise. I never come away humming any sort of melody or tune, its all very forgettable despite being technically brilliant.

My god that's one super ugly bass.

Pino Palladino John Giblin Derek Forbes Adam Clayton Peter Hook James Jamerson Jaco Pastorius John Taylor