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Pickup Suggestions For Fretless

rollo47

rollo47

Wraggotry in Motion
Nov 12, 2002
253
0
37
Perth, Australia
www.myspace.com
#1
Alright, so I'm putting together a parts fretless bass. I've pretty much got everything except the electronics now - here is what I have so far.

Fender CIJ Jazz Body
Warmoth Wenge/Ebony unlined neck
Hipshot Vintage Bridge
Gotoh Tuners

Now, I've pretty much decided that I'll be going with an Audere preamp - the original two contenders were the J-Retro and Audere, but to be honest, I really can't see myself using the mid sweep much, and from all accounts the Audere is a fantastic preamp.

So, the next question is which pickups to get. My original thoughts were to go with some Nordstrands. From the descriptions on the Nordstrand page, the NJ4SV set took my fancy, but I'd like some suggestions as to other pickups.

I'm looking for something that will give me plenty of mwah, low noise, and nothing too scooped - I'm not really going for a scooped jazz sound. Something that will give me great sounding mids, smooth lows and just the right amount of treble.

Thanks.
 
#3
I had a fretless 4 string Stambaugh w/Bartolinis(not sure of the model)that sounded so sweet I had Chris build me a similar 6(also w/Barts). Mine(the 6; I sold the 4 to TBer winston, who also recently sold it)'s fully passive, but I guess you can go w/whatever pre you like. Also, not to dissuade you, but you might try out a passive bass or two before you put it all together- you can always add a preamp later. BTW I'm a huge fan of wenge necks. :)
 
#6
The fretless I've played for the last 10 or so years has had a pair of old DiMarzio Model J's and they sound great - plenty of solid low mids, a very punchy Jaco 'voice'.
I recently swapped them into my MIJ Jazz (fretted) and put the stock Fender pickups in the fretless - and was very happy with the sound. A bit less output, not quite as bass-heavy, but now there's some extra high-mid detail that works nicely.
I prefer passive pickups in a fretless - you don't really need a lot of clarity or extreme highs or lows - it's all about how the midrange works. Maybe a pair of Fenders or good Fender-style pickups (eg Fralins) would be a good option.
 
#7
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] are a great choice. as for the comment re: not making use of the mid sweep: with a fretless, the mid sweep can really define mwah and articulation, giving you the option to dial in your desired tone at varying volumes.
 
#8
Hey I think the Dean Rhapsody HBF Fretless Bass is quite good :
It has a semi-hollow mahogany body with cat's eye F-holes and a full-scale maple and walnut neck with ebony fingerboard. A soapbar pickup gives this elegant Dean bass a tone all its own. Fret-line inlays help the fretless novice stay properly intonated.
Ritht now it is on sale with a deal only for $399 instead of $625 :
Link Removed
It got pretty good reviews on the product page ,almost all 4/5-star . Hope this helps .
 
#10
musicguy123 said:
Hey I think the Dean Rhapsody HBF Fretless Bass is quite good :
It has a semi-hollow mahogany body with cat's eye F-holes and a full-scale maple and walnut neck with ebony fingerboard. A soapbar pickup gives this elegant Dean bass a tone all its own. Fret-line inlays help the fretless novice stay properly intonated.
Ritht now it is on sale with a deal only for $399 instead of $625 :
Link Removed
It got pretty good reviews on the product page ,almost all 4/5-star . Hope this helps .
Click to expand...

Was actually looking for pickup suggestions, not bass suggestions, but thanks anyway :smug:
 
#15
A friend of mine has this fretless with Bartolini 59J's in it and and NTMB preamp. The full range sound of the bridge pickup alone, especially the low end, is pretty amazing.

BrubakerPreachfretless.jpg
 

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