Not really answering your question... but, after thinking that Fenders were a waste of time/money for years I acquired (as a gift) a 70s USA Precision Fretless. This thing has totally changed my opinion - you only get one sound, but what a sound!! It's very easy to play too. Damn heavy though.

The Mexico/Japan/USA thing is a total mystery to me I'm afraid - it strikes me as a strange way to do business - probably a marketing scam. You do seem to get better stuff the more you pay (ie, the USA basses).

love fret less, (unless I'm slapping and popn), not all that hard of a conversion [with fret lines or side markers] I think you would love it.
Jass standard lot of great players have Jass Bass's It's definitely next on my list
As far as the MIM vs MIA I'm a firm believer if you like it buy it. Ive had my share of cheep basses and midrange basses the only one I've ever kept is the old fender knock off and I play it every day!

have fun don't break the bank


DAvid

I never played a Fender Fretless bass. I generally don't like Fenders as a rule, but every now and again I pick one up to make sure my opinion is still sound. There were only 2 Fender basses I've ever like out of all the ones I've played and they were both American Jazz Basses. I personally notice a huge difference in quality between MIM and MIA Fenders. The Americans are much more comfortable to play, have a warmer tone, better action and less fretbuzz (not a prob w/ fretless tho). Not that it will help you much, but that's my experience with them thus far.
Oh, and the Geddy Lee sig bass wasn't too bad either, though not as good as the MIA Jazzes.

--Ry-but

Geo,
I'm another "basic old guy" who doesn't play in bands anymore... not that I'm ruling that out. I recently bought a fretless, not a Fender, and have been having so much fun I feel like I'm cheating on my main bass. My advice is to buy something you like the feel of and the tone it produces. Doesn't have to cost a lot. I think there is a big difference between MIM and MIA guitars and basses. I believe it all starts with the wood.
Have fun.
Pete

Thanks to everyone for your input...... Still thinking here.....

Pete ---Would appreciate if you would share which fretless bass it is that you're "cheating" with...

Thanks again

Geo, if you check my AB page you'll get to know a little about me. Briefly, I used to play old Gibsons (they were new when I bought them :-) ) I enjoy vintage stuff and am planning on having a luthier friend build me a new version of the old Ampeg AEB or AUB. Since this will cost some bucks, and will take a while, when I decided to get a fretless I went with the Wishbass. These basses can be controversial (lovem or hateum, not much in between) I did my homework and had one built. It was an inexpensive way for me to get the fretless and still have the cash to have the other bass built. Here's a picture of the Wish next to my old archtop to give it perspective. You can contact the builder at www.wishbass.com if this interests you.

Thanks again Pete.....

Very nice indeed....

I will check out that site.

Happy playing !!!!!

hey pete whats the controversey about as i have ben looking at the wish bass,?? they seem to be a lwo end $ alt for fretless,,as i play a carvin fretless lb-76- 6 string bass,,look @ my page its thier ,,
so whats the gig on the wish im curious.
thanks
chris

Chris I love your Carvin the 5 string has been on my wish list for a while. and Pete lock your doors cause I'll be sneaking down there to borrow that Arch top, it is sweet.
DAvid

Thanks David... that's a 65 Zerosette JG Rangemaster... big name huh? I really love playing that bass.

Note to self... lock doors.

thanks dave she is sweeeeeeeeeet smooth as satin on silk.
i even string her with thomastic flats
talk about meat and potatos
mmmmmm delicious -lol-be cool
chris

Well the guy who builds them takes a lot of heat... especially on Talkbass.com. The folks on Talkbass.com seem to hate him, his instruments and the people who buy and play them. I mentioned Wishbass on that forum and got seriously flamed.(he makes basses, DB's archtop electrics, etc.)

I found Wishbass doing a google search on the Ampeg Scroll. Wish has a bass he calls the scroll. I got in touch with him and we talked about his philosophy on building basses. I liked him right off. I then emailed some people that had posted reviews on the Wishbasses they bought. They all liked them and gave me advice on how I should order mine.

Wish and I made a deal. He would build it it, I would do the finish. I bought his basic model called "The Stude." I love the way it sounds and its very fast. He will build whatever you want. You just need to know upfront, that if you want a nice finish, it's best to do that part yourself. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about my experience and the bass I bought.
Pete

Well Pete I am intrigued, I do like the look of them. I visited the website and like some of the designs. He says that he has over 30 designs, have you checked them all out? I live in Australia so I think I will email him to ask if it is possible to ship to Oz.

Craig

I know he ships wordwide. By the way, there is yet another Wishbass on Ebay. Do a searh on "wish bass" usiing two words; not "wishbass." Somebody is selling a upgraded version of the Wishbass Scroll, which is Wish's verson of the old Ampeg. A lot of private sellers won't ship worldwie, but Wish certainly will. I have never seen this many Wishbasses on Ebay at one time.

When I was checking in with him about the status of my Stude, he told me he was building 5 Studes at that time. I'll bet the 2 he has on Ebay are from that lot, just upgraded from the one I bought. If you decide to go that route.. good luck. You know, I don't think I've ever actually seen a new namebrand fretless in a guitar shop.
Pete

I will check it out, I regularly visit ebay but only search in Australia. I have not made up my mind yet but I would like to build a fretless, at the price of one of these it almost seems pointless. So I will see how I go.Thanks for the info.

Craig

Craig,
I recently played a Fender Jazz at a guitar shop. I have always avoided Fenders because they never felt right to me. This Jazz felt great. I did a seach on the web and found a site with a fretless Fender Jazz with lines for $425 US. That seemed like a pretty good deal to me.
Pete

Well that certainly sounds a good deal to me too. Have never played a Jazz fretless, but during the years I have had a number of fretless basses (why I did not keep some of them I will never know???) But as mentioned I might attempt to build one. A friend has recently made a Les Paul shaped guitar and he did a fantastic job of it. He wants to build another and so we have decided to build one each, I would like to try to build a fretless of my own design we will see if it ever eventuates.

Craig

Interesting that you mentioned building one. I just checked a book out of the library called "Make your Own Electric Guitar & Bass." It's by Dennis Warning and David Raymond. I don't know that I'd recommend buying it, but its a nice resourse if your local library has a copy.
Pete

I will try to find it. My friend who hss built one has lent me another one. I am not sure of the author off the top of my head I will check it out and let you know.

Craig