Updated CIJ Fender Jazz FL

[FretlessOnly]

About 10 years ago I bought my first fretless electric bass after having played upright for about 7-8 years. Before that, my only bass had been an '80 JG 4001 that, for some stupid reason, I decided I didn't need in about 1997.

Anyway, I recently upgraded the Jazz bass with Dimarzio replacement PUs and an Audere J3Z pre-amp/control panel. I replaced the PG with one from Pickguardian a few months ago, too. The upgrades cost more than the bass did, but it has a killer neck, and now it screams in several different colors. Given the pre-amp, I need to pad my input, but the tones are so out there that it doesn't take away from the end result:

The Audere Pre-Amp

The Audere has, closest to farthest, volume, tone switch (power bass, true passive, treble crunch) stacked Mids over PU balance, and stacked treble over bass.

Fantastic lucite thumb anchor

I just love this $0.50 thumb anchor. Exactly where it needs to be to rip the strings off!

The whole enchilada

[rickenbrother]

Cool fretless bass, John! Are those the DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups?

[FretlessOnly]

Yes indeed they are. I have the slightly different-sized PU configuration (as most of these do), and I found the DP 147 and DP 148 separately, but from the same dealer in NYC (Mike someone or other; the name escapes me right now). You can also buy these as a set, but I got a better deal just looking around on the web for a bit.

They sound great, are very quiet, and with the Audere, it's a match made in Heaven. I've got my Rick rounds on this one (from the 4003FL I bought back in February).

[Tarrbot]

I wanted to post on this earlier but forgot.

I just got my black pearloid pickguard and TRC (which I cut to size from a piece I purchased).

I was a little reluctant about the overall darkness of the black pearloid but after seeing it in person pictures just don't do this material justice.

It's pretty dark. The pictures shown here seem to catch the pearloid and make it brighter than it actually is.

All I know is that it's definitely worth the price. Very nice.

[johnallg]

No good without pictures, Scott.

[Tarrbot]

Just two quick ones.

I'm not sure what I will do with the TRC yet. It needs some finishing on it as it's still a bit rough on the edges.

I will have to pull out my tripod to get better pictures so that you can see a more natural coloration.

[cassius987]

Scott, I think the 4003S/5 looks fabulous like that. An improvement IMO. Good work. Every time I see that "toothless" tailpiece I salivate a bit, I wish they were all like that (for palm muting purposes).

The fretless Jazz is nice too John. I love Audere preamps.

[sloop_john_b]

Wow! That is really nice!

[Tarrbot]

Those pics are horrible. Nasty smudge marks and odd colorations reflecting off the chrome.

I still need to put some work into the TRC but I've been too lazy lately. It's been cold and I just haven't felt like going out to the garage and doing anything, even with a burner warming things up.

I do think it makes the S/5 look a lot better. Still need some black pieces though.

I'll have to get some better pics up soon and show you all... likely when it's warmer out.

[cassius987]

What are the strings with the gold wrap?

[Tarrbot]

Those are Rotosound TruBass 88 black nylon flats. I love these strings.

[FretlessOnly]

Interestingly, I had Rotosound TruBass 88's on the bass that is the subject of this thread for about five years. Great feel and sound, but the output is very low.

[Tarrbot]

John, were they the black nylons?

To me, these feel great and the sound isn't bad either. But I'm not really picky other than having flats.

[FretlessOnly]

Yes, they were exactly what you have there. Black nylon flats with gold silk. Looked great, felt great, sounded great, but I had to jack up my volume so much that I got a fair bit of noise I didn't want. Keep in mind that this was with the original Fender Jazz PU's. On a Rick with high-gains, it would likely be much less of an issue. I'd try them again with the upgraded Jazz, but I've got the Rick rounds from my 4003FL on there and they sound great. I need one FL bass with rounds, and this CIJ fingerboard is tough as nails.

[Tarrbot]

I can see that with Jazz pups.

I mainly play on my toaster and can see how it would possibly do that.

Love the feel though. Smooth. Almost too smooth.

I've often missed notes by sliding off the string unintentionally.