Yeah, I worry about that. From what I'm reading, the fretboard wood (Indian Laurel) is supposed to be pretty hard, but I may try and talk my son into trying flatwounds anyway.
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Squier Classic Vibe Fretless
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Flats are great. I got my first fretless fairly recently, and was very pleasantly surprised at the feel of flatwounds. I think they're a tad quieter, and the tone is different. Neither one is better, they're just different. I use roundwounds on my fretted, and flatwounds on my fretless. Best of luck to your son, and you!
I just picked up one of these from a local shop. My 13 year old started playing bass a few months ago (also plays trombone and mandolin) and the other night he told me he had been researching Jazz basses online. I took him out yesterday and we made the rounds to multiple shops, playing various MIM and Japanese Fenders, Squiers, and a Music Man Sterling StingRay, which was the hands down winner of the day until we saw this (Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz). My son was actually happier that it was fretless, and it sings and barks like a Jazz Bass should.
Honestly, I was amazed by the quality and sound. It has a set of D'Addario XL rounds and a great setup, so from the first note it felt and sounded great. I didn't ask them whether it was new or used (not marked as either), but the only thing missing was the pickup stickers, so I figure maybe it was a quick return, because it looks brand new. The neck did look unappealing to me (too light and stripey), but a good rub with oil darkened it right up when we got home. We'll just oil it now and then until it stays that way.
I've owned and played a lot of basses over 40 years, but never felt drawn toward a fretless (that wasn't a doghouse). If your budget can handle the higher priced Fenders or clones, then obviously you might prefer one. But I wouldn't hesitate to use this bass (if my son lets me!) for any performance or session where I thought a fretless might do the trick.
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Looks great IMHO !
I've ordered one of these but they aren't available until early next year !
I have a Squire fretted Jazz Bass and have put a ramp on it and wonder if the Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz has the same space between the pickups so I could order the same ramp for the Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz ?
American Mexican Jazz Bass Thumb Rest Ramp Standard Squier | eBay
I realize this post was a while ago, but for posterity sake, you lose all the point of playing fretless with most flatwound strings. I play flats on every bass I own except fretlesses because you want those higher freq harmonics that I usually try to do away with in fretted basses. That's where a lot of the fretless tonal quality is. I can't imagine playing a fretless with flats. All just my opinion, but I say go boldly ahead with the rounds. There are lots of used '70s fretless P basses and J's around with more or less pristine maple and rosewood fretboards. Just do it.
