Fret a Fretless Streamer I ? Possible or a Crime ???

Dbass

Dbass

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Hi Guys!!!!

First of all I want to thank everybody that makes this forum, really great for warwick users and fans. Now I´m kind of addicted to it!!!!
I just got my first Warwick from ebay, a really nice 92' Streamer Stage I fretless in super conditions from what I can see. Haven´t done any adjustments to it yet, just got it for 1 week.
I wanted a Warwick since I first saw Zender from Jamiroquai playing it and the sound was killer. So after many many years I finally managed to get one.

I was always a fretted player, but i´d liked to learn the fretless style so when I saw it it was kind of two birds with the same shot. The Streamer Stage I that I always wanted ended up being fretless because it was a great deal I could not resist.
So you might be thinking where is my problem...
After playing the Streamer Bass I was amused by the sound difference with my cheap Cort Curbow 4 fretted Bass I was playing before (I know there´s no comparison possible here, but the Cort was the one I could afford at that time) so I can´t get out of my mind the possibility of having the Streamer fretted as I´m mainly a fretted player.

Do you guys think that making this fretless Streamer fretted would be a crime?
Is it possible, technically speaking?
Would it be the same as having a fretted Streamer from the begenning or making it fretted is not advisable?
Is Warwick making this work? I actually live in Barcelona and the local distributor gave me a telephone number from the luthier that works for them doing the warwick repairs. Would that be the right people to ask for this work?

I´m sorry for being so long, but i wanted to explain the hole situation, because I feel that I can´t make a choice before I get your advice first.

Thanks in advance...

PS: how can I add the Bass pics so you can check it out???

Greetings!!!!!
 
Any experienced guitar maker/technician should be able to do a good work. I guess the Fretboard on your SS1 is ebony? Will sound a bit different than a factory fretted instrument (where Wenge is used). Anyway I would highly recommend using the Bell Brass frets from Warwick (some shops have it in their product range
Why not instead take the challenge of improving your fretless skills on such a beautiful instrument?
:roll:
Cheers
 
Thanks for your advice Irilli!!!!

I guess it´s ebony, looks like it, but I have few experience in bass woods so far, I´m getting deeper since i got this new bass and also found this forum trully helpful.
The difference from wenge to ebony when is a fretted bass is too big???
As you advice me, I also think that the best option would be improving my fretless skills, but as I´m a little anxious I can´t sleep now thinking about how great a fretted SS1 would sound.
I´m planning to try a Thumb NT5 from some guy that is selling it for about 1100€. That would be the perfect solution, but first I need to make more money :x .

I keep listening to your opinions in order to take the right choice....

Thxs
 
Ebony vs Wenge:
IMO While Wenge fretboard tends giving it strong midrange tones and warm lows, Ebony adds a touch of brightness on a long sustaining tone.
...
btw: 1100€ for an TNT5 sounds like a good deal. Don't let go :D
Cheers
Loris
 
Hi Dbass,the cost of fretting your Stage 1 could well go towards a Thumb or some other bass.It's possible to do but it'll cost alot.
cheers mate.
 
Practice playing fretless while saving up for a fretted Thumb... then keep both! Fretting the instrument does seem a bit of a crime to me!
 
Yes it is possible, and yes, it is a crime...

Fretless is so fun! it's harder, but opens up expressive possibilities that simply do not exist on fretted...

PJ
 
JanVanHove said:
Yes it is possible, and yes, it is a crime...

Fretless is so fun! it's harder, but opens up expressive possibilities that simply do not exist on fretted...

PJ
Click to expand...

and visa versa on a fretted, it'd would definatly be worth working towards getting a seperate fretted bass
 
Stroud said:
JanVanHove said:
Yes it is possible, and yes, it is a crime...

Fretless is so fun! it's harder, but opens up expressive possibilities that simply do not exist on fretted...

PJ
Click to expand...

and visa versa on a fretted, it'd would definatly be worth working towards getting a seperate fretted bass
Click to expand...

Agreed...
 
Many thanks guys!!!

I agree with most of you, I should improve my fretless skills, It´s been only a week since I have my first fretless so I guess I was to anxious about getting the perfect sound and intonation rightaway.
It´s a new challenge but a really nice one to take...
Any book, links, tips, or whatever you guys think would help me out with fretless playing would be really appreciated!!!

So my next bass I think could be a Thumb NT5, but never played it before.Have to try it first...That will be next week probably, but would be interesting to listen to your opinions concerning the difference in sound compared to a fretted SS1 either 4 or 5 str.
This question is because I always liked the SS1 sound and don´t know how far the thumb sound can be from it.

Sorry for asking so many questions...just need some help from experienced Warwick users.....

Cheers!!!!

PS: Any advice on which strings for this SS1 fretless...?
 
in my opinion the ss1 and the thumb nt are the two opposites on the warwick spectrum...the ss1 being the nice smooth one, the thumb nt being the mean nasty one. both amazing basses though
 
Regarding strings, that depends on what sounds you want. For a smooth and mellow sound I recommend D'Addario Chromes and D'Addario Half-rounds for a powerful growl
 
Plus theres nothing like sliding a harmonic on a fretless :)

fretless + sliding the 5th fret harmonic while playing anesthesia with dist/wah is a mouthfull and pure metal :)
 
Bassplayer magazine has this topic in the Basstech section on page 58.Dan Erlwine talks about fretting a fretless.btw it's the January issue. :wink:
 
Many Thanks Trumperton!
I´ll check it out....

Cheers!
 
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