Should I convert my Lull V4 to a fretless?

[39-Bassist]

Don't un-fret it, just buy a new fretless neck (get a real Ebony neck) and put on the body then do a setup...
This way you can always put bass back together if you ever sold it. And it wont ruin resale value.

 

[prowla]

This is a fretless I made from parts; I rather like it.
It started when I bought the Mighty Mite unlined fretless neck off someone at work.
It then lived on a Capri-orange Precision body for a while, but I put MIM a fretted neck on that (which turned out really good).
I then picked up the MIM Jazz body; it was part-way through being home-refin'd but I've not felt inclined to finish (hah!) the job.
The controls are from Fender Geddy Lee models and the pickups which are now on it came from another one.
3 tuners are Wilkos and one is a Hipshot drop-D.
The bridge is a Fender Hi-Mass and the strings are Fender flats.
Oh, and it's got Straplock buttons.
All-in it cost me less than a decent new neck.

 

[Old Fart]

I think we are close to unanimous on leaving the Lull alone. Your CS and Lulls are not cheap basses, so I assume you can drop a reasonable amount of coin on a decent fretless. This is a good idea because, I think, fretless basses are hard enough to play already and the advantage of using a good one is important. For me, anyway. Plus....if you buy used then you can recover your investment at any time.

Anyhoo....the Tony Franklin fretless in my arsenal is one of the best basses I have ever held in my hands. The quality is sky-high, and the tone is truly wonderful. It has the only bridge pickup I have ever actually liked, and can be played solo.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I wouldn’t defret. Find a Fretless that you like and either purchase it or trade / sell one of your other basses to cover the cost.

Im going to suggest a Fender Tony Franklin, or Jaco .

My personal preference is for Ernie Ball MusicMan StingRay Fretless.

Sire and Sadowsky both make great budget Fretless models.

 

[J Posega]

The price of a Warmoth neck might also be comparable to a professionally done defret.

Yes, but I was referring to getting a new neck for his parts bass, not to replace his Lull neck. If the Lull has a standard Fender neck pocket (I'm not familiar with the brand), he could even put the Warmoth neck on his Lull body, retaining the original neck in case he ever wants to switch it back to fretted.

This way, OP could get a slimmer neck for his parts bass and, paired with the right pickups, might actually find it's exactly what he needs.

EDIT: that said, there are probably plenty of talented luthiers (don't give the job to someone who calls themselves a tech or repairperson) that could defret the OPs neck and it would look like it came from the factory that way (or better).

 

[Bass Viking]

Yes, but I was referring to getting a new neck for his parts bass, not to replace his Lull neck. If the Lull has a standard Fender neck pocket (I'm not familiar with the brand), he could even put the Warmoth neck on his Lull body, retaining the original neck in case he ever wants to switch it back to fretted.

I suggested he put the Warmoth neck on his Fender Custom Shop, not the Lull (I have no idea if Warmoth is compatible with Lull) but the parts bass is certainly worth a try too.

 

[SteveHeissner]

No. You can't improve a Lull. If you insist, then put a fretless Lull neck on it. Good luck.

 

[Lenny JG]

Yes