For those of you preferring a fretted bass to get a whole new fingerboard fitted by a pro luthier costs £300 (Overwater Basses). If you keep the ebony and get frets placed where the lines are, it will cost £100-£200 tops, if that. Its still a damn sight cheaper than finding a mint condition new one with this unusual finish. Don't write off playing a fretless its a lot easier than it looks and does a lot more than just jazz - check Tony Franklin. Very easy to get a crisp slap sound with a thick slab of ebony, fretted or not.