NBD: Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Fretless

[RichardW]

Finally gave in to my GAS, though this was very reasonably priced as a Squier and further discounted as a floor model Reverb sale. Not a scratch on it, as far as I can tell. I immediately threw on a set of flats and am having a lot of fun getting a feel for it. Nice mwah, but I can see playing this will require a little more, uh, precision, with fretting.

Made in Indonesia. Given the low cost, I'm thinking of modding this. The bridge feels a little cheap. Also, the fret dots on the side are practically invisible and I'm going to need those to be bigger. Might sand off the finish on the back of the neck too, just for fun.

I am new to fretless--any advice?

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Check the nut, i get my (fret less) nuts as low as i can, makes a world of difference. Nice score!

 

[MonetBass]

1. Give it a good setup, getting the action as low as you can without buzzing
2. Depending on your normal fingering hand technique, you might have to adjust your it to use more of the tip of your finger for playing notes. Since you don't have a fret doing the work for you, this helps get your notes in tune more consistently.
3. Have fun!

 

[gip111]

Just recently got a used Yamaha RBX250 fretless, trying to figure the fretless thing and I'm actually loving it. Went online looking how to do a setup and I basically got the strings as low as possible without buzzing both at the nut and bridge. Now to figure out strings for it, using rounds at the moment.

 

[MtManiac]

I'm gonna piggyback on your thread, as I also have the same NBD - mine was used, and the skunk stripe had raised, but it was fixed by sanding.

Man, that neck feels really awesome. Nice and slim. Not my first Fretless, I've also owned the Vintage Modified Jazz and P fretless basses and a MIM Standard fretless Jazz. This one easily slays them all.

I also love the Laurel fretboard - I have no idea why Fender went with Pao Ferro for their MIMs, Laurel is to me much nicer looking and nicer feeling, and especially for their Vintera line I'd have thought Laurel would make a lot more sense since it looks much more like rich rosewood. Anyhoo, I love the Laure fretboard - I'm keeping the rounds on it too for more mwah.

Pickups sound really great - nice lows, and nice upper harmonics also.

These basses are keepers, if anyone is on the fence!

 

[JRA]

nice score, @RichardW! cool that you've jumped into the pool! a good setup and you're good to go --- congratulations on your new instrument!

advice? play!