duo2 Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 Im really interested in getting a frettless jazz bass. At first I was going to build it myself but after running through the cost it's way to expensive for me to afford. So now im considering purchasing a Fender standard frettless jazz bass and refinishing it. My question is this if I take off the pickguard on the bass will it still look right? Im going for the Jaco Pastorius signature model type look. So if I take it off will it be weird looking or will it look alright once I refinish it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzocchi705 Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 It will look ok ONLY if its rear routed, if its routed from the front (most fenders are) it will look realy stupid if you leave the PG off. You could always get a PG to make the body paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 If I remember right (and I might not), Jaco's neck* used to be fretted, but he had the frets removed and the board epoxied. I think the Fender tribute model reflects this mod. As for the pickguard, just take it off and have a look. *Jaco's bass neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedoctor Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 (edited) I share your pain. I hate pickgaurds. It is not that hard to refinish a bass with the pickgaurd removed unless you are going with a natural sunburst or some other semi-clear finish. If you like solid colors (I do) it will not be a task at all. AND I agree, you can buy a decent fretless and have everything you need for less than you can buy the parts. I don't think too many people on this forum build guitars to save money. If they say they do, I would question their honesty. Hey, I forgot about the top-routing issue! Yeh, that would be a bit of a problem if the guitar you select is top-routed. Edited April 5, 2005 by thedoctor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassisgreat Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 I really love the look of a sunburst J-bass without a pickguard! I even like seeing the screwholes where the pickguard used to be, hehe. If you can find a J that's rear routed, go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo2 Posted April 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 (edited) thanks for the help. I had thought about the routing problem and i was almost positive that the stanard fender frettless is front routed which wouldn't look to good unless you're going for that "I took my pickguard off because im making a statement" look. As of right now I'll probably just end up buying some cheapo bass from a garage sale or pawn shop and taking the frets off and filling the slots with wood veneer or epoxy. If I take the frets off though will i have to replace the nut because it seems to me that the action would be pretty high without the frets on? Edited April 6, 2005 by duo2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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