Fretless and Sounds HELP

Classical_Thump · #1 08-26-2006, 02:06 PM

I am fixing up my old Fender MIM Jazz by putting on a new fretless neck, and I really want to bring out that nice fretless tone (I'm thinking a mixture of Jaco and Gary Willis). So far, I have heard tha Nordstrand's are very good for this type of swap, but I am open to all suggestions. I would most appreciate any sound clips also. Thanks!

Nick Ioannucci · #2 08-26-2006, 02:28 PM

search the recordings forum for 'fralin' theres a great clip of a fretless jazz with fralin single coils. dont forget your round wound strings, flats wont get you that sound. im trying for that sound with flats and its not working, good thing i need new strings. dont wory about your fingerboard, all strings damage the board including flats.

**bassybill** · #3 08-26-2006, 02:32 PM

EMGs on fretless for me, I love the clarity...

http://www.talkbass.com/mp3/tone_glossary/mwah.mp3

You'll need a Status graphite neck to get your Jazz to sound like the clip, though!

richnota · #4 08-27-2006, 06:11 PM

the roundwound/flats thing is always intriguing. I get tons of that sound on my fretless with flats--a lot of its in the setup. A lot of great fretless tone comes from developing good vibrato technique (watch Jaco and Steve Lawson videos on youtube, Jaco used rounds, Steve uses flats...both get wonderful mwahh)

But I digress: what i meant to post is that Nordstrands are really great pickups.