Which Fretless?

[Lujon]

Looking at getting another fretless 4 string with unlined board and narrowed it to a couple options. Both are about the same price. Which would you choose?

1974 Fender Jazz with 78 Precision Fretless Neck: one owner since new, swapped out the neck in the 70s, original pots, original bridge pickup, DiMarzio neck pickup, Kahler brass bridge, rosewood board. Many, many mojo and the deadest of dead strings that ever died. I've played it twice now and it feels, and sounds amazing. Weighs around 9.5lbs.

2019 Fender Tony Franklin Fretless: obvious differences are the ebony board, split neck pickup, DiMarzio bridge pickup, precision body and it's 45 years younger. I don't have a way to try it but enough videos out there to get a pretty good idea. Weighs 9.4lbs.

 

[Lujon]

Geez, zero love for the 70s fretless

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

The TF is one of the best basses I’ve ever played .
If you prefer Fenders, this would be choice.
Otherwise I’d find a nice StingRay Fretless . The BFR editions are stellar!!!

 

[thmsjordan]

Big fan of P/J basses here. I was selling Fender basses in the 70's. Say what you will but the quality of so many of those basses was just awful.

 

[Killing Floor]

Whichever one has the best neck for you.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Man, that’s a tough call!

On one hand, you got Mojo in Spades.
On the other, just a flat out awesome instrument…

But me being me, if I were to shell out that kind of money, it would probably be one something brand new…

 

[Jogobass]

The one you like the sound of. That's most important for fretless as there is a lot of variation in how they sound.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I'd either vote "something else", or get the J, put back the original bridge and plastic knobs, get rid of the PG and thumb rest, rock

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Geez, zero love for the 70s fretless

70s jazz basses are hit and miss. Mine was a miss.

 

[mmon77]

The TF basses are, at least to me, one of Fender's best ever models. Every one I've tried sounded amazing, played great, and felt like "home" to me. The only reason I don't own one is the price. I'm mainly a 5 string guy, and dropping that kind of dime on a 4 string just....gives me pause. The LPB one tempts me like a Siren. I have to stay away from those.

The 70s Fenders in my experience have been hit or miss. There were some really bad quality instruments made by Fender in that era, paving the way for all the boutique shops that did Fender better than Fender did.

You can't try out the TF, so that kinda sucks. IMHO, even if you don't get along with it, you could probably sell it for what you paid. Those things don't go cheap.

Tough call. I would go with the Tony Franklin because I know it is a sure thing, but, that's just me.

 

[Auer]

Nash will build you a fretless.

NASH CUSTOM BASS BUILD CONFIGURATOR

 

[Five or Six]

You've played the 74 so there is that. Is it me or has that bridge on the 74 been moved back? It just looks kinda funny. Been a while since I've looked at a 4 string. I do like the TF. New electronics has an appeal. Not being able to play it is the only negative. Tough call but, good luck with your decision.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Stingray fretless would be my choice. Tony Franklin second, which is very nice, just prefer the Ray fretless sound.

 

[Stewie]

I had a fretless Fender P neck on a 73 Jazz bass.played it for almost 40 years. Finally tried a P bass. Swapped necks and sold the Jazz. Fretless P for the win. Add the bridge pickup? You might like it. If you don't, flip the switch and its gone. I'd buy the TF

 

[DBA23]

I picked up a ‘16 Jaco about a month ago, love it!

 

[39-Bassist]

I vote TF...those basses play great.
Let's see Rosewood or Ebony? Hmmm...Ebony please.

 

[Matthew_84]

I voted TF, mostly because I’d prefer the P neck pickup over a J, but I’d also prefer the ebony fingerboard and the pickup switch system (if I wanted to use the bridge pickup, which I wouldn’t use too often)

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

70s jazz basses are hit and miss. Mine was a miss.

Assuming both basses are equal in every other way, I think the ebony fretboard would be the biggest deciding factor.

 

[relayer66]

I just picked up a TF last week. I’m a long time JB player, and this is both my first fretless and first PB. It’s amazing! I can see it becoming my favorite bass.

 

[Lujon]

So, I just realized there’s really no way to blend the pickups on the TF, unless I’m missing something? That seems like a bit of a drawback.