Fretless conversion - 4 string or 5 string?

[Elusive1]

Decided to take the plunge into fretless bass after playing fretted for over a decade. With no intention of buying a new bass, I've decided to have one of my current basses converted to fretless, and have narrowed my options down to two of my Japanese Fender Jazz Basses; either my 2012 MIJ '62 reissue or my 2004 CIJ JBV.

I'm leaning towards the 5-string at the moment, and since I'm only going to have one fretless, conventional wisdom tells me I may as well convert the 5-string for its wider range seeing as I can go back and forth between any of my 4-strings for different tunings when playing fretted (I barely use the upper register of the 5-string anymore anyway - my primary bass is tuned to BEAD which give me the range I use for the majority of the stuff I play).

However, a small part of me is worried that I might miss having the 5-string as a fretted instrument; as a lefty, obtaining this particular instrument was nearly impossible since it was discontinued in 2015, and none of the new/current Fender lines offer any of their 5-strings left-handed, so if I gravitate back to playing 5 strings again in the future, I might not be able to find another one. Converting mine to fretless might also hurt its resale value (though frankly speaking I'm not as worried for this point since I'm 99% sure I'll never sell it anyway). Plus I've been wondering how often I would need to go below the E string for fretless...?

I guess I've weighed both options enough that I wouldn't necessarily regret my decision either way, I simply need a push in one direction. Fretless aficionados, your input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Yes, I know Jaco only needed 4, but it doesn't matter because I am not Jaco.

 

[Vodyanoi]

However, a small part of me is worried that I might miss having the 5-string as a fretted instrument; as a lefty, obtaining this particular instrument was nearly impossible since it was discontinued in 2015, and none of the new/current Fender lines offer any of their 5-strings left-handed, so if I gravitate back to playing 5 strings again in the future, I might not be able to find another one.

Being a lefty like you, it was quite difficult to find an instrument that I really liked, but also available to buy locally — the music stores in my hometown don't have lefty basses in stock very often, if at all. When I found that the SR600 was available, I bought it without hesitation; of course, some time later it was discontinued.

In 2020, I thought I'd try the fretless bass; I was stoked! Nowadays I'm playing fretless exclusively, and that's something I don't expect to change. I own a perfect Maruszczyk Elwood 4p, which is actually all (and much more!) that I need, but I still keep that fretted SR600 in the closet. That's not because I plan to go back to fretted, but because I can't afford to lose such a great instrument, even if I'm not actively playing it.

For such a nice instrument, I'd rather not have to say "I wish I'd never sell it/mess with it" at some point... Do you?

 

[Elusive1]

For such a nice instrument, I'd rather not have to say "I wish I'd never sell it/mess with it"

That’s true, which is why I’m slightly reluctant to convert this particular 5-string. The logical choice would be to buy a new bass that’s already fretless; it just so happens I recently bought a second-hand one which I intend to keep in its fretted form for other purposes, which is why I decided to convert one of my existing ones.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I wouldn’t convert that particular bass/neck to Fretless, and look at other avenues.

Perhaps the least expensive way to go with a Fretless 5, is to buy a custom Warmoth J5 neck, and bolt it to that body.

There is one caveat though, that the Warmoth Standard J5 neck (20 frets) has an in-line 5 headstock. This means you’d have to get some new tuners and a string tree - but those can be had for less than $100 (Hipshot LIC HB-6 tuners and Hipshot 3-string retainer).

I pieced together a Fretless Jazz V using a roasted maple/unlined ebony neck, a Squier CV Jazz V body, and assorted components. It is perhaps the best Fretless I ever owned or played.

 

[sawzalot]

I’d look for a neck, either on the used market or from Warmoth or one of the other parts suppliers out there. That makes it a change that you can undo if you want to.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

one other thing I forgot about.
The Warmoth “Fender” necks have a heel-access truss rod adjustment. I see that your bass also has the heel adjustment, but not sure how the access is under the PG. You may or may not have to do some clearance to fit the Allen key…

A Warmoth Fretless Std J5 neck in Roasted maple/unlined ebony would cost $357, less shipping & tax. Shipping is typically around $20 for a neck (give or take), so might be looking at around $400 total, then hardware.

is it worth it? Or look for another bass?

 

[JRA]

I simply need a push in one direction.

i hear ya!

when i place myself where i think you are = i'd save the 5 (it's 'unique' in your collection) and convert one of the 4s. but that's my 'impulse' re: your dilemma. in my world (fretless), if i wanted a fretted, i'd just get a new ax, or, i'd get a fretted neck to pair with the body/electronics i already like. (FWIW: i only play 4s.)

good luck with your choice(s)!

 

[Thebiggestjerk]

Decided to take the plunge into fretless bass after playing fretted for over a decade. With no intention of buying a new bass, I've decided to have one of my current basses converted to fretless, and have narrowed my options down to two of my Japanese Fender Jazz Basses; either my 2012 MIJ '62 reissue or my 2004 CIJ JBV.

I'm leaning towards the 5-string at the moment, and since I'm only going to have one fretless, conventional wisdom tells me I may as well convert the 5-string for its wider range seeing as I can go back and forth between any of my 4-strings for different tunings when playing fretted (I barely use the upper register of the 5-string anymore anyway - my primary bass is tuned to BEAD which give me the range I use for the majority of the stuff I play).

However, a small part of me is worried that I might miss having the 5-string as a fretted instrument; as a lefty, obtaining this particular instrument was nearly impossible since it was discontinued in 2015, and none of the new/current Fender lines offer any of their 5-strings left-handed, so if I gravitate back to playing 5 strings again in the future, I might not be able to find another one. Converting mine to fretless might also hurt its resale value (though frankly speaking I'm not as worried for this point since I'm 99% sure I'll never sell it anyway). Plus I've been wondering how often I would need to go below the E string for fretless...?

I guess I've weighed both options enough that I wouldn't necessarily regret my decision either way, I simply need a push in one direction. Fretless aficionados, your input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Yes, I know Jaco only needed 4, but it doesn't matter because I am not Jaco.

Just purchase a fretless neck. Fenders’ entire concept was that its products should be modular. No need for a refret when the neck could just be swapped out.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Decided to take the plunge into fretless bass after playing fretted for over a decade. With no intention of buying a new bass, I've decided to have one of my current basses converted to fretless, and have narrowed my options down to two of my Japanese Fender Jazz Basses; either my 2012 MIJ '62 reissue or my 2004 CIJ JBV.

I'm leaning towards the 5-string at the moment, and since I'm only going to have one fretless, conventional wisdom tells me I may as well convert the 5-string for its wider range seeing as I can go back and forth between any of my 4-strings for different tunings when playing fretted (I barely use the upper register of the 5-string anymore anyway - my primary bass is tuned to BEAD which give me the range I use for the majority of the stuff I play).

However, a small part of me is worried that I might miss having the 5-string as a fretted instrument; as a lefty, obtaining this particular instrument was nearly impossible since it was discontinued in 2015, and none of the new/current Fender lines offer any of their 5-strings left-handed, so if I gravitate back to playing 5 strings again in the future, I might not be able to find another one. Converting mine to fretless might also hurt its resale value (though frankly speaking I'm not as worried for this point since I'm 99% sure I'll never sell it anyway). Plus I've been wondering how often I would need to go below the E string for fretless...?

I guess I've weighed both options enough that I wouldn't necessarily regret my decision either way, I simply need a push in one direction. Fretless aficionados, your input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Yes, I know Jaco only needed 4, but it doesn't matter because I am not Jaco.

Whichever bass you currently play least would be the one to choose, because you will likely play the fretless least when you have one of each.

Another consideration; fretless becomes a little less of a tone effect on lower notes of lower pitched strings, so having a B string on a fretless fingerboard isn’t as exciting as an E-string. On the other hand, having to move longitudinally up and down the neck probably adds more opportunity for poor intonation / note accuracy, so you might want the B string so you can move laterally across the next width to get to notes.

I think it could be a coin flip decision….

 

[logdrum]

Although I have a 5 string fretless, I found out that I only need a low D most of the time. My old 4 fretless is beat and I am building from parts a 4 string fretless (almost done just waiting for the Hipshot tuners. I just added a Hipshot Extender and kept my cost around 600 dollars and learned some skill in setup and assembly. P-neck Ebony fretboard, Lollar pickups, Geddy Lee body and bridge and Hipshot tuners

I do like the 5 string's heft and timbre on the fretless, but if you are a lefty and getting a nice fretted 5 string is more work, I will just convert (by buying a neck) one of your 4 strings.

 

[Elusive1]

I pieced together a Fretless Jazz V using a roasted maple/unlined ebony neck, a Squier CV Jazz V body, and assorted components. It is perhaps the best Fretless I ever owned or played.

That's a gorgeous bass, dude, I'm sure she sounds as great as she looks

 

[gstaats]

Just cover all your basses (pun intended) and go for a fretless 6... :-D

 

[Elusive1]

Thanks for the input, fellas, really appreciate it.

I can totally understand the point about getting a new fretless neck - only problem for my 5-string is that the neck heel width on mine is 69mm because it's an odd old model that Fender Japan did on its own without using the same dimensions as the USA or Mexican models, and thus it's unable to accommodate the regular 5-string neck heel width of 74mm. I'd be hard-pressed to find a neck that can fit at all, and getting a builder to make a custom neck with the exact dimensions would probably destroy my wallet. As some of you have pointed out about how unique my particular 5-string is, I do feel now that I would like to keep it in its fretted form to preserve its uniqueness.

I suppose it's the 4-string bass then, so now my next question is, since I use the lower register much more than the higher register: Would I be losing the "fretless tone" if I were to use heavier gauge strings to tune the fretless to BEAD like my primary bass? I undestand fretless bass is normally used much more prominently in higher registers for solo runs and whatnot, and doesn't have as great a tone effect when played too low, so would I be foolish to go the BEAD route or should I just go basic EADG for the fretless? Or perhaps compromise and go DGCF?

 

[gstaats]

I use fretless for nearly everything. I wouldn't say there is a right or wrong to use one. I prefer the tone of a fretless over a fretted bass - but many times folks don't know I'm playing a fretless until they notice the lack of speed bumps on the neck. I wouldn't fret about it. I would honestly start with something cheap though - make sure you like it, enjoy playing fretless and like how you sound playing fretless. It took me a lot of work to get to the point I'd play fretless outside of the house... then took a while to play play fretless live. Then took a while to play fretless while needing to read music. I'd try it out before making irreversible mods to a bass you like. Best thing I do when trying something new is to buy used at a good price. If I don't like it or use it like I thought I would, I can sell it for the same coin, no loss. Definitely appreciate the gusto of jumping in head first though!

 

[Chris Chong]

Get another fretless bass.
Converted mine but the action was too high even with the shim.