Turning to fretless: replace neck or de-fret?

[zelig.audio]

A tiny bit of context:
I have a J-bass with rosewood fingerboard which I like very much, but I always wanted a P-bass, as I prefer the sound of it. I always felt the J was more versatile and could come in handy someday, so I kept it and got a P (and got rid of a Squier VM fretless that had some problems).

Now it's more than a year since I got the P and I hardly ever touch the J, but I miss having a fretless, so I started thinking about turning my jazz into a fretless. I see two options then: either I replace the neck or I de-fret the bass (or I can sell my jazz and buy a fretless, of course, but where I live getting a new bass may be somewhat of a hassle, while the neck not so much).

I'm leaning towards replacing the neck, but I'm open to being convinced otherwise. The advantages I see are that I'll still have the fretted jazz neck in case I feel I need the regular jazz someday and because I fear the de-fretted rosewood fingerboard may wear out more quickly (I know, I know, Jaco had a RW fingerboard, but still...).

Well, what do you suggest? If replacing the neck looks like a good option, any suggestions of where to get one?

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I'd replace the neck.
As you have already noticed there are few to no
rosewood fingerboard fretlesses.
Being able to change back is a great option, too.

 

[Flaked Beans]

I'd replace the neck.

Me too.

 

[Graham Douglas]

I'm guessing your P has a wider neck than your J? Do you want the "new" fretless to have the the neck width of a P or a J? If a P then obviously it's a neck replacement otherwise a defret is probably a lot cheaper option and as you say Jaco........

 

[JGbassman]

Buy another neck. I have a great little jazz parts bass I flip back and forth from a fretted to a fretless neck as I get the desire.

The change over takes all of five minutes and it's nice to have that option. De fretting the neck is a hassle and you might damage it rendering it unplayable. I'd say its not worth the risk.

 

[zelig.audio]

I'm guessing your P has a wider neck than your J? Do you want the "new" fretless to have the the neck width of a P or a J? If a P then obviously it's a neck replacement otherwise a defret is probably a lot cheaper option and as you say Jaco........

Yes, the neck is wider, but strangely enough it doesn't bother me to have different widths.

I actually like where the different neck widths "take me". I mean, when I pick up the P, I like the more economic, old school playing style the neck width and the LaBella 050 flats I put there suggest me. Whereas when I picked up the fretless I sold, I liked what the thinner jazz neck made me do.

 

[zelig.audio]

Well, thanks for the opinions so far.

Which neck and where do you guys suggest me get it? (I have a friend who will be in the US next month)

Maybe have a luthier make it would be a better option? Or should I go fender spare parts, warmoth or other possibiiity I'm not aware of?