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The three Fender fretless basses.....

J

JProbber

Supporting Member
Jan 16, 2023
68
76
#1
On the occasion of my recent 70th birthday,I've decided to buy a nice bass, as opposed to the 300.00 specials I've owned so far (though some were surprisingly good). I want a fretless, and I can't die without having owned a Fender.

I'm looking at all 3 fretless jazzes, and would like to know how really different they are from each other. In order of ascending price:

*The Fender Player frettles, which I would want to upgrade with a toroise pickguard.
*The American Professional II fretless, and...
*The Pastorious fretless

I can afford any of these; which would give me the best combination of instrument and desire?

Thanks!

Jon
 
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#3
JProbber said:
On the occasion of my recent 70th birthday,I've decided to buy a nice bass, as opposed to the 300.00 specials I've owned so far (though some were surprisingly good). I want a fretless, and I can't die without having owned a Fender.

I'm looking at all 3 fretless jazzes, and would like to know how really different they are from each other. In order of ascending price:

*The Fender Player frettles, which I would want to upgrade with a toroise pickguard.
*The American Professional II fretless, and...
*The Pastorious fretless

I can afford any of these; which would give me the best combination of instrument and desire?

Thanks!

Jon
Click to expand...
I had a Pastorious neck and it was really tough to see the side markers because they're clay dots on pau ferro with a finish. Everything was orange and hard to see. Full nitro too so it felt sticky from time to time.
 
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#4
If it were me, I'd also consider the Tony Franklin. Love those. Plus they have ebony boards.

If you want a Jazz, I'd say the American Professional II. I love that Olympic White one. Has a rosewood board.

The others currently have Pao Ferro boards. Not sure about the durability, but I know I prefer the look of rosewood.

I'm sure the Jaco is great but I don't think it's worth more than the AP II. Plus I never loved the no-pickguard look.

That's my 2 cents.

Happy Birthday!
 
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#6
Hi Jon :)

JProbber said:
recent 70th birthday
Click to expand...

Happy birthday! :hyper::hyper::hyper:

JProbber said:
I'm looking at all 3 fretless jazzes
Click to expand...

JProbber said:
which would give me the best combination of instrument and desire?
Click to expand...

I am very picky when it comes to neck finishes on fretless basses.

Much more than on fretted basses the neck has to feel like coming home.

Out of the three I would probabely go with the Professional II. (satin with smooth rounded edges)

But that's just me. :D

I advice you to try all three and take the one that feels best in your hands.


greetings

Wise(b)ass
 
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#11
JProbber said:
On the occasion of my recent 70th birthday,I've decided to buy a nice bass....I want a fretless, and I can't die without having owned a Fender.
Click to expand...
- happy birthday!:thumbsup:

- fretless is the way to go! :bassist:

- fender: the tony franklin should get some consideration, IMO. ;)

good luck with any fretless that you might choose! :thumbsup:
 
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#14
Please don't get into the lined vs. unlined debate here. That's been done to damn death.

The OP knows what he wants and has presented three options that appeal to him. The Franklin is a beast of a bass, but it is not a Jazz, won't sound like a Jazz, won't play like a Jazz, and won't feel like a Jazz.

Am Pro II would be my recommendation.
 
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#15
JProbber said:
The Tony Franklin does indeed look like a beauty, but appears not to have fret lines, which I would need.
Click to expand...

Happy Birthday! I have a TF, it's my first and only fretless. The neck is amazing!!!! I use the side markers and did not have a problem adjusting to the bass. IMO fretless is just different, not really harder depending on what you are trying to accomplish in the beginning. Play one if possible. Good luck, I don't think you'll go wrong with whatever choice you decide to make.
TF002.jpg
 
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#17
The Jaco is a terrific bass. Slim neck and great sound. I had this and a Tony Franklin, and when I decided to downsize, I eventually decided to sell the Tony and keep the Jaco. As mentioned above, the side dots are tough to see in low light. I've never played any other fretless Jazz so I can't say whether the Jaco is worth any extra cost, but I can enthusiastically endorse it.
 
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#18
You're 70 and can afford it? No reason to skimp.;)
Of the 3 listed (and without knowing much more about your preferences);

If your a Jaco fan and/or just like the vibe - especially the sunburst sans pickguard, I'd go that route.
Otherwise I'd try out the Pro II. In general, they're very nice basses.

I have a Tony Franklin.
It is a great bass, but it's not a Jazz Bass.
I'm not a fan of pickup switches, so I modded mine for pickup blending.

The whole lined / no-line thing is over-blown. If you want lined, get lined.

JProbber said:
I would want to upgrade with a tortoise pickguard
Click to expand...
Life's too short - go with a Spitfire!
 
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