Custom Build Fretless Jazz Bass?

[tjnkoo]

I'm finally going to go ahead with my dream of building a fretless jazz bass. What do you guys thinks think about the following setup:

1.SX Jazz Bass (just use the body though)

2.Warmoth Neck with Ebony Fingerboard (maybe wenge, bubinga, or rosewood neck?)

3.Tortoise Shell pickguard

4.Bartolini Jazz bass pickups

Thats just my initial ideas. So do you guys have any thoughts, ideas, etc? Only requirements is that I want an unlined fretboard (which is what the production Fenders lack). Thanks!

[danomite64]

It might be nice. I have had two Warmoth fretless necks, and installed a third one on a friend's bass, and all three are exceptional. I haven't owned an SX, however, but my impression of the ones I've tried would make me lean towards getting a used MIM Fender body instead, if I were looking to save a few dollars.

[snyderz]

Sounds great, but you didn't mention what color that tort guard is going on.

Also, I'm a Lollar fan.

[tjnkoo]

I'd dig a classic red tort shell pickguard.

And also, I did look into used MIM bodies but they're more expensiv. What about the dollars though? I've heard about them, but never tried a bass with em.

[JohnnyB53]

I'm thinking of doing something similar. I bought a used Squier VM Jazz fretless, and after playing it awhile got tired of the wimpy pickups. I had some USA Bartolinis put in and installed a Babicz Full Contact Bridge. Lots more clarity, musicality, and power. Now that that's taken care of, I'm noticing the neck/fingerboard's limitations so I'm thinking of getting a Warmoth lineless fretless neck for it. I'm thinking pao ferro or Macassar ebony for the fingerboard and either quartersawn maple or bubinga for the neck.

If you stay with a jazz profile (skinny) neck, I recommend you go for the quartersawn option. I have two Guild Pilots, which have narrow profile quartersawn necks, and the difference in pitch stability is not subtle.

[cstar]

I have an SX "pro" model j bass in a 3 TS finish.

The finish is ok- probably just sub-par to that of a Mexican fender, but still decent.

The body isn't perfect by any means- the pickup routs are a little funny- (I mean, the pickups aren't PERFECTLY centered under the strings, and are ever so slightly crooked to boot) but it's a HEAVY swamp ash body with a decent tone and appearance. For the price, you really could buy the bass, keep the body, and probably almost break even by selling the rest of the parts...