Got my first fretless! help on mods please

jaco's henchman · Post by **jaco's henchman** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:45 pm

Hi, as topic says this is my first fretless.
I was going to get something like a cort fretless
but I won this on evilbay for $50
Im picking it up tomorrow.

Being a cheapy (I think there belgian) model: BC300FL-BK
Im looking to mod it into a reasonable instrument.
I know the cort hard bartolini's, can you guys throw some options pickup wise please?
is it worth changing to active?

Yeah I haven't played it yet and are asuming the worst,
Basically I want to know what quality parts your fretless has?

many thanks nathan

FretLessSince68 · Post by **FretLessSince68** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:00 am

Fifty dollars USD for a bass, that's a very good deal.

Why don't you do a set-up and play it a while, then come back with your observations?

You may not have to modify the electronics as fretless often doesn't need the high frequency sound popular with fretted bass. The important thing is that you can get "your sound" image out of the instrument and amp you are using.

Active vs. passive: Jaco played a passive bass. On an inexpensive instrument I don't see the logic in spending hard earned cash on modifications. You will still have an inexpensive instrument even if you spend $450 USD on new parts.

Your first priority should be getting it set-up so that it plays and sounds the way a fretless should. Yes, fretless tone has a lot to do with set-up. Search this site for "setup" or "set up". Get the information and tools needed to adjust the bridge and neck, then perform a DIY set-up. Let us know how it plays and sounds after you have done this. You can take it to a guitar tech but set-up is a skill you should develop as a well rounded bassist.

I see that your bass has the important bridge P/U, so that alone should help get the fretless tone.

jaco's henchman · Post by **jaco's henchman** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:56 am

thanks for your quality response!

Ill get my local bass centre to do a pro setup 1st!

it's actually 50 aussie dollars cheers

FretLessSince68 · Post by **FretLessSince68** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:05 am

That sounds like a good plan. Ask if you can watch the guitar tech for the purpose of learning how to do set-up yourself.

jaco's henchman · Post by **jaco's henchman** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:51 am

Update on my fretless bass..
I am impressed with my recent purchase!
I cannot compare to other fretless basses,
as I have never owned or played another.
The basses I currently own are..
USA fender jazz 5 deluxe, 2009 model
Japanese reissue fender mustang, 2008 model
Cort artisan B5, 2000 model
and the newy stagg fretless fusion bass.

The bass came with flat wound strings which are very dead.
I suspect they are originals as the previous owner said he barely
Played the bass. The pickups are cheap sounding at the
same time serve their purpose. Today I was doing a bit of
string research and narrowed the change to nylon coated or half rounds.
I went with rotosound solo bass medium gauge smooth wounds.
They are pretty twangy at the moment but now there is great
Tone & the sliding is amazing.
In 2 nights I have put in about 4 hours and are adjusting to
no fretts or markers nicely.
I am watching a set of duncan designed pj pickup set,
On ebay Which is only $50 atm. Cheers Nathan