Fretless: Jazz or P Bass?

[irjason]

I am thinking of getting a fretless and have been looking at an SX. I just can't decide on a Jazz or P bass. So I need some advice.
I have a Jazz now, and have had P style in the past, but no fretless at all. I like the sound of both. Which one would you get as a fretless and why?

 

[SundanceChile]

P if you're more into an upright sound, J if you want a bit more versatility.

 

[phxlbrmpf]

I really want a fretless P, you simply don't see many of 'em at the moment (aside from the new awesome-looking Tony Franklin signature bass). P basses simply sound fatter than Js in my opinion, which should be very interesting for fretless.

 

[AFlyOnGeddysWal]

A J for the versatility, I guess one could always swap the neck pickup for a humbucker for a similar P sound. I like single coils, and favor the bridge pickup.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I would pick the P if fretless were my main bass so I could be more distinctive than the typical Jaco style bridge pickup sound. If a bassist is working in studios or as a sideman, I would recommend the J because that will be the sound that many will want. I really think a bass like the new Tony Franklin fretless would be ideal because it has the P/J setup and one could get the Jaco sound and a beefier fretless sound too.

 

[marwady]

A J for the versatility, I guess one could always swap the bridge pickup for a humbucker for a similar P sound. I like single coils, and favor the bridge pickup.

Here's an idea:

Buy an SX P/J and an SX fretless. Swap the necks and now you have the best of both for about $250.00.

I am saying this because I did the same thing with a Fender MIM Precision Special (P bass with a Jazz bridge pup). I found a fretless MIM jazz neck for cheap and swapped them. I now have a Fender fretless with a great P thump and Jazz growl, lots of mwah, too.!!

 

[Kael]

Here's an idea:

Buy an SX P/J and an SX fretless. Swap the necks and now you have the best of both for about $250.00.

I am saying this because I did the same thing with a Fender MIM Precision Special (P bass with a Jazz bridge pup). I found a fretless MIM jazz neck for cheap and swapped them. I now have a Fender fretless with a great P thump and Jazz growl, lots of mwah, too.!!

Alternatively, buy both a fretless P and a fretless J and get yourself out of swapping necks. SX's appear to be cheap enough that getting both should be feasible for most anyone.

 

[klocwerk]

I'd say get their P/J.
http://www.rondomusic.net/bg180tmftls.html

 

[irjason]

Thanks everyone. Seems like the Jazz is the winner. I really like the look of this one:
http://www.rondomusic.net/sjb62ctfretless.html
So that's probably where I will end up once I get the rebate from my cell phone.
klocwerk I hadn't noticed the P/J on there before. Thanks for pointing it out. This is the other one I'm considering now.

 

[dgce]

Here's an idea:

Buy an SX P/J and an SX fretless. Swap the necks and now you have the best of both for about $250.00.

I am saying this because I did the same thing with a Fender MIM Precision Special (P bass with a Jazz bridge pup). I found a fretless MIM jazz neck for cheap and swapped them. I now have a Fender fretless with a great P thump and Jazz growl, lots of mwah, too.!!

"Its crazy, but it just might work!"

 

[LewsTherin]

I'd say jazz.

I have (and love) a fretless P-bass, but sometimes I find it a bit lacking in growl. I think a jazz with a series/parallel switch (easily done) to give it a bit more beef when you need it would be a good call.