First Fretless Jazz Bass (used Fender MIJ or new Sire V7)

Hmm. If my wife would sign off on it I’d try to garner your interest in the Squier VM Fretless Jazz I have sitting in a gig bag. New TI Jazz Flats on it.

But I’m not sure how the TB rules work, being that I’m not a supporting member currently...

 

If you haven’t pulled the trigger yet, here’s a thought: an unlined fretless bass is very difficult to play. Jaco Pastorius himself needed lines to find his place on the neck. I play a lot of upright bass and in my opinion an unlined fretless is way harder to find your way around

 

Well, Jaco’s bass had lines because the neck had actual frets at one time.

Mark Egan has been quoted to really “need the lines”. Other guys like Tony Franklin or Pino don’t seem to need them...

I personally don’t like lines because they actually confuse me. When I see fret lines, I have a tendency to finger the notes as I would on a fretted bass. The side dots on an un-lined board are placed where the notes should be fingered, so that helps me more.

 

Yes, Jaco’s bass had lines to begin with. However, in his “modern electric bass“ video he stated that he needed the lines to find his place on the neck because the neck is so long. He also talked about where you should finger the bass in relationship to the Frets or the fret lines if you’re interested.

 

i'll recommend an unlined board:
- you'll eventually be using your ears anyway --- you won't need the lines in the future.
- a lined board creates its own 'dependency reinforcement' for many players....apparently, including jaco (post #5)
- a lined board (just like frets!) is not precisely tuned (so, again: you'll be using your ears anyway).
- an unlined board is 'sexier'.

whatever you decide you should plan on having some extra fun on a fretless instrument. good luck with your choices!

 

Peter Wagstaff, go by your instinct on this question. I have never owned an unlined fretless, and I agree that one can become dependent of lines, but just like on my fretted basses, I do not look at the neck all of the time, and I can hear if my pitch slips. Lines have helped me get up to speed more quickly, but I am less and less line dependent over time. I agree that unlined boards are “sexier” but music is best experienced with the ears, not eyes. I would rather look less cool and sound good than be a bit off on a cool fretless. If a player has spot on intonation on an unlined board, bravo! Still, I appreciate a fine performance however it is done.