Jonbob

3 hours ago, lownote said:

Try the Revelation.  Under £200 new, in a white or red P bass, PJ or Jazz style.  Beautifully made, unlined with dots on the main fret positions. Here's mine.  I've put a KiOgon loom in with Tonerider pups but the original Entwhistle pups and looms are mighty fine.

 

Just checked out the red one, mighty fine looking!

3 hours ago, lownote said:

I am a unlined fan, but doing a SBL jazz course with the need to go north for soloing and chords I did find that quite hard.  £138 for a very nice lined Harley Benton jazz bass (Jaco clone ) gave me the option of easy navigation up the dusty end.. So I prefer unlined up to the 9th fret and wouldn't mind a hand above that, either width lines or stub lines (a la Ibo Portamento).  I think when I order my custom Overwater I'll ask for a hybrid neck of that spec. 

Even the Harley Jaco clone is now lined. At Harley price I'd have consider buying a black fretted and a Jaco clone then swapped the necks, alas not possible anymore

3 hours ago, Linus27 said:

Oh dont get me started on this, absolutely boils my blood, partly because I physically can't buy a bass I want as it's not available and especially the whole lined fretless neck thing. I have no issue with people wanting to play a lined fretless bass but c'mon, at least give us the option. Fender back in the 70's released the fretless Precision and can you buy one now, nope, not unless you want a cheaper lined Squire or a super expensive high quality signature model. Absolutely nothing in between. How about Jazz basses, again, nope, not unless you want lined. I grew up listening to Pino, Sting, John Giblin (Kate Bush and Simple Minds), John Taylor (Duran Duran), Derek Forbes (Simple Minds), Paul Webb (Talk Talk), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), Mick Khan (Japan) to name a few and who all played unlined fretless basses. I adored their unlined fretless Fender Precisions, Stingray's, Wal's and Ibanez Musicians. I'd never even heard of Jaco until the late 90's and lined fretless basses were not even a thing. 

 

I gave up in the end and had my own necks made for my Fender's and bought a Stingray when one eventually became available. With the amount of special editions, remakes and models Fender churn out each year, I just wish they would make a bog standard US Jazz and Precision with an unlined fretless neck or at least make it an option to choose lined, unlined or fretted like a few other manufacturers offer. At least be brave and make an FSR fretless Jazz and Precision if you don't want to take too big a risk, just make sure the neck is unlined. I just think its incredibly lazy of Fender and I have predominantly played Fender's for the last 35 years. I'd love to give my money to Fender for an unlined standard fretless Jazz or Precision but sadly they don't make them and haven't for years so my money went to Ernie Ball. Rant over.

 

How beautiful are these.... exactly what I'm talking about

I'm being harsh, Jaco is awesome, but of course there are others, Pino, Tony Franklin and a whole host of others who have dabbled and come up with something beautifully creative.

My point is, however, that all "budget" fretless basses appear to think we want to be Jaco clones rather than individuals.

The standard is, especially for fender styled instruments, has become the stereotypical sunburst jazz bass, now usually with a lined fretless neck.

I like jazz basses, I like p basses, I don't like sunburst finishes and I'd prefer a non lined neck! Arrrgh

How about a simple squier pj in black with an unlined neck? Franklin style? Or a Jaco noir? Red? Natural....Surf Green?.... don't know maybe I'm on my own here.

I have a tatty old hacked about ibby roadster fretless maple neck in white, it's great but I'd like to match the rest of the collection somewhat as it stands out like a sore thumb...maybe a refinish is in order.

It went back....my old TC electronic BG 250 just eclipsed it volume wise. Blew it out of the room. 

It sounded great but could not cut it in a band situation.

I've just taken delivery of an ah900

Tone very nice indeed, all of my basses are very clear sounding through it.

The nuances of each bass can be heard clearly.

The compressor is so subtle but I'd say that's really good.

No need to tweak the eq much.

Compared to my TC electronic bg250 the low end is far better, much more depth and warmth

I'm running it through a single 2x10 500w 8ohm hydrive hartke cab

Volume wise, jury out a bit at the moment. It says it's 450 into 8 ohms, but I appear to have turn it a long way up to get it sort of twin guitar rockband loud so I'm a bit sceptical, but the tone is great all through.

I'm not sure it's as loud as the bg250 combo which makes me wonder if the 450 / 800 is peak or RMS and there's little information to say.

A rehearsal soon should tell. My wife kids felt it was very loud!