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Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 7th, 2020, 3:50 am
by ch willie
I almost bought a Ric 4003s to have converted into a fretless. I was one click away, and then I got sensible about my financial situation and decided to get my Fender AmStd Jazz Bass de-fretted instead.
I play my Precision, Hofner, and Ric 4001 a lot more than the Jazz Bass. I'll pick up a fretted Jazz Bass in the future; hoping Fender will offer an American Jazz with a maple fb. Not holding my breath.
Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 7th, 2020, 12:13 pm
by TheMilford
This might be a good contender for a fretless conversion:
https://reverb.com/item/35505375-fender ... olar-white
Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 7th, 2020, 5:48 pm
by ch willie
Yes, I thought about one of those. But I think I'll be happier with having my Jazz Bass converted.
I appreciate the idea.
Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 9th, 2020, 2:10 am
by ch willie
I'm getting vurrrry excited about this.
Here's the old boy ready to go to the shop for its operation this morning.

Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 16th, 2020, 4:52 pm
by ch willie
Got the bass back today. Black nylon Rotosounds--nice strings.
Best decision I could have made for that bass. Perfect! Sounds wonderful. Can still growl or thud. Nice sustain.
Tech filled the fret gaps with thin strips of maple, sanded down of course. Smooth as silk. Nice to be able to see the lines.
Biggest surprise? I can actually play it well thanks to the lines. I thought there would be a learning curve--I've never ever played a fretless until today.
Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 16th, 2020, 7:03 pm
by tim
That's cool. I'm glad it's working out!
Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 16th, 2020, 7:08 pm
by ch willie
Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: September 28th, 2020, 11:07 pm
by penguin
If you want to do the epoxy thing, Brian Lewis Guitars in Chandler, AZ did a fantastic job on mine.

Re: Converting My Jazz Bass to Fretless
Posted: October 4th, 2020, 3:14 pm
by fivebass52
penguin wrote:If you want to do the epoxy thing, Brian Lewis Guitars in Chandler, AZ did a fantastic job on mine.

Wow!
