Jerry_B

Fretless is the only bass I play nowadays, predominantly played with a plectrum. I use it for the band I'm in and it's my first 'go to' option, despite having a couple of other nice fretted basses. I have a fretless Jazz, but am thinking of seeing if I can fit the neck onto an LTD Vintage-204 P/J, just to compare and contrast

[quote name='tom1946' post='1284417' date='Jun 27 2011, 05:59 PM']I have a white Retrovibe that looks like an Aerodyne, obscene output for the money and very easy to play.[/quote] I don't think RV sells them any more tho'? They seemed like a nice bit of kit.

I wonder if the GT suffers from neck dive - the DX does, which is it's only vice.

I bet that sounds great! Those chunky pickups in certain Westones are really good. Nice to see one in that colour - I think my Spectrum DX was the same originally, but I've not seen photos of one.

I use flats on mine too. I sometimes wonder whether the bass was designed more for finger rather than plectrum playing. As I favour the latter, the BB414 can sound very full-on. That's okay for some situations, but not others. But maybe that's because I've never been sold on it's tone control, which doesn't seem very smooth in it's transitions. That said, it's still one of the better cheap basses. The fit and finish and overall build quality is very very good indeed.

Maybe it depends on whether you play with fingers or a plectrum. With the latter (as is the case with me 80% of the time), the tone control is useful for taking of a certain amount of edge from the overall tone. The reason I like P/J or Jazz basses is because you can also use the bridge pup to work with this. It gives you some nice options about how much contrast is in the tone in terms of sharpness.

[quote name='dc2009' post='1280983' date='Jun 24 2011, 01:47 PM']Yamaha's are solid but IMO the sound is always a bit flat and weak, [...][/quote] Really? I'd say the 'problem' (if you can call it that) I have with my BB414 is that the pickups are very hot and quite barky. I have to tame it down tone-wise a little to control it In general I'd say the BB414 is probably one of the better made, cheaper basses. Squiers are okay if you get a good one but the fit and finish of the BB414 is [i]waaaaay[/i] ahead of them IMHO.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1280121' date='Jun 23 2011, 08:32 PM']I think you nailed it. The dots on the neck of the fretless are placed where the fret would be. On my other basses they are in the centre. Amazing what a difference in perception that makes.[/quote] Yep! I've not played a lined fretless for many years, so I dunno if they still have the dots on the top of the neck in the same place as a fretted bass. The whole dots thing can be a bit confusing when you go over to playing an unlined fretless but are trying to use some of the same visual clues.

That must be one of the ugliest things I've ever seen...

Buy a fretless neck and put it on a bass that you already have and like. Doesn't take much to swap 'em around - mind you, it's not really an on-stage option...

[quote name='Big_Stu' post='1280005' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:59 PM']One of my Tele's came with a satin finish, but a fair bit of playing made it go glossy fast. Also found the same if polishing new gun-stocks with WD40.[/quote] Yeah, but I like the amber tones of a glossy bass neck. My fretless Fender Jazz has one and I've always like the look of it That pale look of many modern necks just isn't my cup of tea, unless the headstock is painted.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1280077' date='Jun 23 2011, 08:07 PM']Thanks chaps. It has dots on top of the neck in the usual places but i never realised i was so reliant on the fret markers on the fingerboard If "someone" wanted to put temporary fret markers on the fingerboard how would they do it?[/quote] It can be a bit confusing as those dots on some fretless basses are on the place where the fret would be - on others, it's in the middle of the fret (if frets were there). Stick with it though. It will get easier. After a while you get used to the dots. And after a while after that, your fingers and brain sync up and you'll wonder why you found it so tricky to start with

[quote name='Clarky' post='1280067' date='Jun 23 2011, 08:00 PM']The reply went along the lines of "just looked up your instrument on the web. Very beautiful. Unfortunately we cannot help you with a case for this" Ho hum, I thought that was the point of a custom builder. never mind, I am sure there are others. I did find one in North America which wanted $950 for the case plus $1135 for shipping! Er thanks but no thanks[/quote] Blimey. Be cheaper to buy a smallish coffin and fill it with bubble wrap and foam. And that's be in keeping with the band's look

No, not tried it yet but I had him saved as a seller for future reference. I may at some time refinish the neck on my Squier P/J - I don't really like satin finishes and would like a darker, glossy look - so this seemed like a good source.

There's still a Sunburst lined fretless and a white blade T-40 for sale over at [url="http://www.classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/basses.htm"]Classic & Cool Guitars[/url]...

[url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Dec-Art-Decals/Lacquer-/_i.html?_fsub=2439696014&_sid=147826604&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322"]This place[/url] might be a useful source for you...

Maybe [url="http://www.flightcasewarehouse.co.uk/index.asp"]Flightcase Warehouse[/url] may be able to do it...?

I'd kill for just the neck on that one! But it's altogether a very nice bass...

[quote name='4StringFortress' post='1276872' date='Jun 21 2011, 11:50 AM']Also im looking for a new wiring kit with pots anyone got any suggestions?[/quote] Send KiOgon a PM - he makes some great kits and they don't cost alot! And you don't have to solder anything

[quote name='73Jazz' post='1276050' date='Jun 20 2011, 04:49 PM']I think she belongs to this thread, 1978 Fender P[/quote] Very [i]very[/i] nice...!

You can buy them from Ebay [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GHS-L3075-Bass-Brite-Flats-4-Str-Bass-strings-45-98-/300565279112?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item45fb163188"]here...[/url]

I'm guessing the bridge isn't original...

I take the pickguard off and use a quite chunky Phillips head screwdriver.

You have to mess around with them quite a bit to find settings which you like - then you can save them and dial in which one you want as needed. On the fly, a switch would be handy. I don't think the Chorus effects are too bad - they just lack a bit of depth comapred to say, a Boss CEB-3.

Or a Squier VM Jag...