I started about a year ago to dip my toes into the fretless world. I purchased an inexpensive Yamaha rbx250f,slapped a Lollar pbass pickup and fender tapewounds on it and went at it. After about 6 monthes,i started feeling some progress was happening,and i like the way the bass sounds and plays well enough,but it does kind of have "beginner bass" feel overall. I am recently considering having my cii converted to fretless,either by filling in the fretslots,or possibly putting a new (ebony) fretboard on it,and am talking with our favorite luthiers about such. Problem is,i love that bass as it is! Yesterday a friend brought over a '81 Ibanez Musician fretless for me to look at. I remember Sting playing one (so i just had to play "walking on the Moon" when i demo'd it). This is a VERY nice bass,5 piece neck through,3 band active eq,and even better there is a toggle to defeat the active circuit....sure enough in active mode,it tended to overdrive (fart). It is set up beautifully,maybe even too low of an action for me,but it is definitely a big step up from the Yammie.
That's my quandary....otoh,wondering if i would love the Conversion on the cii,or miss having it as a flatwound equipped alternative to my Laredo,versus "here ya go,the universe has brought you a really nice fretless cheap". I do know the yamaha's days are numbered either way.
Your opinions of encouragement and/or scorn are solicited.
