The eternal question: SX or Squier fretless?

texasgreg · #1 08-10-2008, 10:08 PM

Pros and cons appreciated. I've been drumming for many years, used to play bass and guitar as well in the 70's, and began playing bass in earnest again about 8 months ago.

I came across a screaming deal back then on a rogue fretless p/j for $60. I'd never played a fretless and had just gotten a squier vintage p bass that I really like. But for $60, I thought I'd see how I liked fretless.

I'm no Jack Bruce, but I am not doing bad on the fretless. Although I am strictly a beginner on bass, I seem to play as well on the fretless as the fretted, and like the different sound.

So I'd like to get another cheap fretless, and two come to mind. Some type of SX fretless J LTD bass, or a squier jazz fretless.

On the one hand, I like the way the squier jazz fretless plays and it's fit and finish, especially for a cheap bass, but I already have another inexpensive fretless with an ebonol {sp?} fingerboard. I have never played a wooden fingerboard fretless and I guess that is the chief attraction of the SX.

I've read the threads about SX and think it is certainly worth a try. I mean, $160 for a fretless jazz bass suitable for a beginner like me and certainly liked by many forum members here.

Because I can see the squiers at the two GC's in town, obviously I get to paw where I can't try out what SX guitar I'm gonna buy.

Cost is really not that big of a deal because I've seen several used/b-stock squier fretless' at GC's priced at $215 in the past few months. Had teeny tiny dings that were on the back or side. Even at the regular street price, the squier is a deal.

Leaning heavy towards the SX tho...

**EagleMoon** · #2 08-10-2008, 10:10 PM

I don't think you can beat the Squier VM fretless. No contest between it and the SX.

John Wentzien · #3 08-10-2008, 10:18 PM

I just took the fretless neck off of my Squeir.
Put one of those $19 fretted SX necks on it.
It is rosewood, that I defretted myself... nice and straight with little wear..
if you want it, I'll give it to you for free. (it has been radiused to 7.25 vintage specs)
PM me with a mailing address, and I'll send it to you..
p.s. bone nut also

lowtide · #4 08-10-2008, 10:19 PM

The SX fretless basses pale in comparison to the Squier VM fretless. I build the SXs all the time but I would still buy the Squier first. The deciding factor being I prefer that particular board on the Squier. But I would still do the same upgrades and setup on the Squier as I do on any other bass on the planet.

lowtide · #5 08-10-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

I just took the fretless neck off of my Squeir.
Put one of those $19 fretted SX necks on it.
It is rosewood, that I defretted myself... nice and straight with little wear..
if you want it, I'll give it to you for free. (it has been radiused to 7.25 vintage specs)
PM me with a mailing address, and I'll send it to you..

Are you giving away the Squier neck or the SX neck?

vinxbass · #6 08-10-2008, 10:23 PM

I've got a Squier FVM Fretless that I installed Bartolini 9J1 pups on, it sounds like a $1,000 bass. The Squier is the best fretless under $300 and the quality is quite decent. Compared to the Duncan Designed pups that come stock on the Squier, the Barts have more of a midrange growl and give the strings especially the "mwah factor" much more articulation than the Duncans, IMHO. Also, an online buddy of mine bought the SX SJB-62 4+1 5-String Blue Fretless Bass $129.95, then went and played the Squier at Guitar Center - the SX is up for sale. He said the Squier, hands down blows away the SX. Here's a soundclip of me fooling around with my Squier FVM Fretless after the Barts were installed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjnwWIcB1nA

John Wentzien · #7 08-10-2008, 10:28 PM

Squier Rosewood
Very nice ..

lowtide · #8 08-10-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinxbass

I've got a Squier FVM Fretless that I installed Bartolini 9J1 pups on, it sounds like a $1,000 bass. The Squier is the best fretless under $300 and the quality is quite decent. Compared to the Duncan Designed pups that come stock on the Squier, the Barts have more of a midrange growl and give the strings especially the "mwah factor" much more articulation than the Duncans, IMHO. Also, an online buddy of mine bought the SX SJB-62 4+1 5-String Blue Fretless Bass $129.95, then went and played the Squier at Guitar Center - the SX is up for sale. He said the Squier, hands down blows away the SX. Here's a soundclip of me fooling around with my Squier FVM Fretless after the Barts were installed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjnwWIcB1nA

I see what you mean by midrange but I still prefered the stock pups. I don't do any slapping though. Asfar as the Squier goes, one thing I'd like to see is a matching headstock. That'd be the first thing I'd do if I owned one.

lowtide · #9 08-10-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Squier Rosewood

Free Fretless board?

John Wentzien · #10 08-10-2008, 10:37 PM

The whole neck with bone nut installed....

lowtide · #11 08-10-2008, 10:37 PM

Would you send it to me?

texasgreg · #12 08-10-2008, 10:40 PM

Thanks John. Sent you a PM.

John Wentzien · #13 08-10-2008, 10:41 PM

Whoever sends a mailing address first gets it!
It needs a new home!

lowtide · #14 08-10-2008, 10:44 PM

Sent for one Squier Rosebud. You've got mail~!

I've got a Squier body screaming for a fretless board baby yeah~!

JazzyJames · #15 08-10-2008, 10:44 PM

Neither, if you're gunna spend money on a bass, make it a good one.

lowtide · #16 08-10-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyJames

Neither, if you're gunna spend money on a bass, make it a good one.

Now now, let's not be negative here guy. There's too many great vibes going on in this thread right now so please don't bust the bubble okay? Thank you.

EliasR · #17 08-10-2008, 10:51 PM

One thing I don't like about the squire fretless is the body. I'm not a huge fan of that 3TS, it's certainly a great bass though.

John Wentzien · #18 08-10-2008, 10:59 PM

I'll let lowtide comment when he gets this neck.

lowtide · #19 08-10-2008, 10:59 PM

I need a little Irish smilie guy that I can make dance across the page doing a jig~!
John just bestowed his Squier neck on me. . . woooohoooo. The generosity of a lot of folks here on TB blows me away. I can't do a jig but I can tip my hat to ya~!

Thank you Johnny

John Wentzien · #20 08-10-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowtide

I need a little Irish smilie guy that I can make dance across the page doing a jig~!
John just bestowed his Squier neck on me. . . woooohoooo. The generosity of a lot of folks here on TB blows me away. I can't do a jig but I can tip my hat to ya~!

Thank you Johnny

Better join the Irish bass club!
or I'll have to kiss me Blarney -Stone and hit you with my Shilele.....