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asking about fretless sound

J

jb_kid

Jul 6, 2006
79
0
#1
I just wondering what makes the fretless bass makes the nice "mwah" sound ??

i got myself thinking about buying a fretless bass.. since i have Bad Ass 3 bridge (someone give me as a present), i want to have a 4 string FL bass..

concerning the budget i have, maybe i want to buy the cheaper bass (like squier) and then i defret it, but my obssesion for a long time is to build a custom bass..

so i want to ask all of u guys opinion about my idea..

thx y'all
 
#3
jb_kid said:
I just wondering what makes the fretless bass makes the nice "mwah" sound ??

i got myself thinking about buying a fretless bass.. since i have Bad Ass 3 bridge (someone give me as a present), i want to have a 4 string FL bass..

concerning the budget i have, maybe i want to buy the cheaper bass (like squier) and then i defret it, but my obssesion for a long time is to build a custom bass..

so i want to ask all of u guys opinion about my idea..

thx y'all
Click to expand...

Hi JB_KID,

If you are going the fretless Squier route, try the Duncan Designed pickups on the Sqier Jazz Bass. I paid $267.00 for this bass and it is FABULOUS in Tone!

Peace,
DoubleBuck :bassist:
 
#8
For "mwah" it's round wound strings on a nice wood board. For "upright" it's flats - like TI's. A good touch will help as well. A jazz will do just fine. The Squire's sound OK, but I didn't like the neck on mine.
 
#10
I guess I am guilty of supposing that you could order the fretless Squire with the Duncan Designed pickups. Since Fender is such an international company I supposed that it would be possible for you. Building a fretless bass from parts requires a lot of knowledge of which parts are available in your country and skill in lutherie to put it all together--as well as the tools to do so. Is there any mail order company that would send a Fender fretless to you by freight or mail since you use the internet? I wish you the best of luck in finding a source. Perhaps someone from your area who is reading this forum can point you to a local source. Good Luck. :bassist:
 
#12
well i might build a custom one with the local luthier.. currently i played warwick corv proline 6 string, maybe i'll ask my luthier to make the same string spacing so i can easily adapt with the fretless one..

i already had the BA3 bridge..

any suggestion about the Pickups, the model (P or J), and the brand (Fender, Bart, Dimarzio) ??

thx all..
 
#14
i had a fender mim j bass fretless with flats on. loved the low action but not the dull sound. then i heard bot the jaco 'bass of doom' and it gave me ideas. i tried some different materials to epoxy the neck. found one that worked. my necks like glass now. put ernie ball rounds on. then i didnt like the j pickups and sheer weight of a jb body. i had a spare p bass body lyin around, so i swapped for that, bought a giovanni p bass pup with alnico v's, painted it white. bought some 3 ply black pickguard sheet from allparts and designed own pickguard shape. swapped the standard fender cts 250k tone pot for an alpha and put in a 0.047uf cap, and i have a fretless to die for. if its not your bag, i dont mind, its my sound man.
 
#15
@bassbodger : wow, looks like it will be a nice bass.. any pic of your bass ??

i just wanna stick the pickup on bart, dimarzio, fender, seymour duncan, and EMG due to lack of stock in this country.. thx..
 
#16
only got the camera on me phone dude, but i will try. ill just say it was worth all the hard effort. ps...if ya want the 'mwah' youd be best puttin epoxy resin on ya neck. google jaco pastorius bass of doom.....youll see what i mean
 
#19
If you want a good fretless, don't get a Fender. If you are willing to spend more for a better one, I STRONGLY suggest the fretless Warwick Corvette Standard. They're about $1,200, and it's one of the nicest basses I have ever played. If you aren't willing to spend that much, and just want a fretless to fool around on, I'd get the Squier Jaco Jazz bass. Also not bad for the price.
 

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