Fretless folks: Why a jazz?

[PDGood]

The Jazz bass was designed for playing Jazz. Fretless basses are only for playing Jazz. So you buy a fretless Fender Jazz Bass, you play some Jazz, and you are doing what you are supposed to be doing.

The Fender Precision bass is for Precise notes, and should never be fretless, because it was designed for precision. (even though the actual intonation is inaccurate for proper musical scales, but that is another lesson for another day)

What you have to be careful of, is buying a Gibson Explorer Bass, because you have to play it out in the jungle, while wearing one of those weird Australian hats, and saying "G'day" to plants and gorillas. It is difficult to find power, or be heard over your portable generator, which explains why they didn't sell as well.

Curiously, the Rickenbacker was NOT designed to be played on a Zeppelin, or while flying a single engine fighter plane, but I'm almost positive the Music Man Bongo was designed for Afro-Cuban rhythm.

That's some funny stuff!! Well done!

 

[CaptainWally]

I think you get more mwah and distinctive fretless tone from a bridge pickup. Soap bars near bridge work too, e.g. my Roscoe fretless has great mwah.

Curiously, I could never get a Musicman fretless to work for me, but it sure does for Pino - so clearly it's me.

My experience with a fretless P is that I could get a nice dubby tone from it, but not much mwah.

 

[markkoelsch]

After having played various fretless Jazz basses, and about a month ago having the change to pay a fretless Precision I think the Precisionis better for fretless- at least to my ears. I still like the jazz neck a little better though.

 

[Nidan]

My Jazz fretless was my main bass for over 20 years , Jaco was the big influence , it was my fave until I built my new one . the lined neck makes it a bit easier and the increased access and smaller body make it a joy

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I had 3 fretlesses and none of them were a JAzz bass or P bass or anything remotely Fender-ish ...

 

[DanGouge]

I voted "other" - I bought my fretless Jazz because the store was selling it for super cheap. $175 for a MIJ Jazz? Only problem was the finish (which I was able to remove) had been wrecked. If it had been a P, I'd have a fretless P, it's that simple.