Should I go VM fretted or fretless?

[JACink]

Hi everyone,

I have tried the search engine, and read an infinite ammount of posts, but I still haven´t been able to make a decision, so any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I play bass (not very well) for personal enjoyment, I explain in more detail here: Thanks for all the help!

After approx 4 years of messing about with a HB, I have finally decided that I would like something slightly better, although I travel a lot (about 7 out of 8 weeks) which means any bass would be in constant travel, so I don't want to spend a fortune.

After reading what seems like millions of threads and opinions, and a few visits to local music stores, I have decided on a VM J-Bass.

Now my problem is this...
I really like the sound of a fretless, but I have never had the chance to play one (local stores do not seem to carry them!). Also I do not have a specific type of music that I play, and although I don´t slap (well, very rarely) I do like to tap!

I really do like the idea of the VM fretless, but I don't want to end up with a BG that is unused, specially as I would like to travel with it. Now I am indecisive between the fretless, or just getting a fretted VM and ripping the frets out of my HB to see if I like it!!

One other thing I would like to ask you guys whilst writing this life story...

My current bass has active p/j p'ups, and I have a small cheap-o amp, but I play mainly thorugh my PA system when at home. Would the passive p'ups on the VM be ok playing with this, and would they work ok with something like the Korg Mini Pandora for travelling??

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the length of this post!

[rayzak]

Why don't you get the fretless from somewhere like GC, who has a great return policy. Try it for a few days. If you like it, great. If not, return it for the fretted version. Really only you can answer your own question. Passive pu's are fine. Just hum a bit more. FWIW, I love passive.

[craig.p]

If you really want to master the fretless, as opposed to just noodling around on it from time to time, then taking it (and only it) on the road for that length of time may be exactly what you need to do in order to get yourself over the initial hump.

Back when I was playing fretless, I "hid" all my fretted basses to such an extent that it would've been a giant PITA to retrieve them. The only one I kept close at hand was the fretless. That's how I eventually learned to play one competently. It was play fretless, or don't play at all.

Good luck with your new instrument.

[JACink]

Thanks for the replies.

Why don't you get the fretless from somewhere like GC, who has a great return policy. Try it for a few days. If you like it, great. If not, return it for the fretted version.

I am planning on ordering the bass from thomanns, they IMO have a good return policy (30 days no questions asked), but I doubt 30 days would be enough to actually know whether I can acheive what I want from the fretless!

Back when I was playing fretless, I "hid" all my fretted basses to such an extent that it would've been a giant PITA to retrieve them. The only one I kept close at hand was the fretless. That's how I eventually learned to play one competently. It was play fretless, or don't play at all.

Good advice, but I am worried about the "don't play at all"!!!!!



I am still not sure, but I guess only I can change that.

What about the "Korg Pandora Mini", any opinions on this for travelling with?? If not, what do you recommend, preamp with headphones or interface for PC??

Thanks again!