Hi I ordered a fretted Z3 and ended up changing it to a fretless SJ5 as my playing needs evolved Anyhow, its a real sweetheart, the neck is perfect and the tone is amazing. My fellow musicians have all been thoroughly impressed at the tones I can now get and how they cut through without being dominant or woofy. One of the drummers I work with stated he had never worked with a bass that sounded that good and asked "Hey, can Sheldon make me a snare drum?!" I am not sure about converting a fretless to a fretted, Sheldon will be the best resource for that I guess. Anyhow, that's my 10 cents worth N

Hi Nic DB, Thank you for your input. Why did you change from Z3 to SJ5? Did it have anything to do with going to fretless?

There is no such thing as fretted vs fretted Dingwall. It's a matter of two perfect but different basses. I have a fretless Dingwall. [img:2r9urq9f]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/EEF16011967/Fretless%20Prima%20aka%20Brazil/DSC01654.jpg[/img:2r9urq9f] It's really the best fretless I've laid my hands on (I've owned two top fretless basses before that and I've played several top notch ones too). I cannot see pros or cons in this choice. It's truly a matter of taste. If a fretless is what you are after, then it's the perfect choice. I am waiting to hear the SF II to form an informed opinion. The FD's that are on the fretless are nice and punctual. The SF are more mid specific than the FDs. If you ask Sheldon and you let him know what sort of fretless sound you are after, then he can guide you over to your sonic Nirvana

Hi Fullie, I'm a dingaholic and have my 2nd on order(Z3) and have a SJ5 in my future and that will probably do it? So my question's really are, How do you find it going back and forth between fretted and non fretted? Is there a big learning curve going to a fretless? I have a PA with the mach II upgrade on both pups and I love it! Have you posted any sound clips of a dingwall fretted vs. non fretted? Thank you all for your input.

[quote="dsincjr":rpsiig8f]Hi Nic DB, Thank you for your input. Why did you change from Z3 to SJ5? Did it have anything to do with going to fretless?[/quote:rpsiig8f] Sort of, I figured out that the sound I was heading for on my AB was a Jacoesque finger tone, BUT I was also doing a lot of slapping in my other band. I figured that the Z3 would be more of the same in the AB genre so my gut started pushing me toward a fretless SJ to really nail the Jaco sound and keep the fretted AB for the slapping and thumbing. The ideal has really worked out well although I can see a fretted 4 string Z2 in my near future As far as switching between fretted and fretless, after a few days it is seamless, its just like switching from one bass to another, once used to it your hands just seem to know what to do. Hope this helps N

To be honest, I am NOT the world's best (fretted) bass player (let alone fretless ) so no fretless clips (for the time being at least). There was no big learning curve really over the fretless Dingwall. I have been playing fretless since 1999 at the same time that I started playing my "Uber Alles" Prima as well. So for the past few months I've been gelling the two worlds together. It takes a bit of attention in the beginning but after a very short while it all comes together As far as choosing between the Z3 and SJ5 in a fretless form, I cannot firmly comment. The SF I's that came with my Z3 had great singing mids, but the clarity of the B and E strings did not have the clarity that I dearly love. From what I know the SF II have rectified this issue. So I am waiting for my SF II's to form an informed opinion. In terms of plain physics, the "shorter" SJ5 will have a "sweeter" and more mid-specific tone compared with the "extended" Z3. Once the SF are the standard pickups now, it's a matter of choosing the ergonomics that suit you better over the tonal approach you are after

Thanks for your reply's they have been very helpful. I'm leaning towards a Z3 fretless as I love the ergonomics on my Prima and the Z3 neck should be as close as Sheldon can carve the same size neck on the Z3. One more question, can you easily see the fret lines on the side of the fretboard so you know where they are?

The fretlines are definitely visible from the top side of the fingerboard. No need to lean over to see

Thanks Fullie. Fretless it is!

Hi Dsincjr Welcome to the DW fretless club I am curious as to how many of us there are playing fretless DWs N

It was a while that I was looking for a fretless Dingwall before I decided to go ahead with the one I have, and I am glad I went ahead.

I didn't realize snotburst's was fretless? Did you put a new neck on it?

Snotburst's name has been changed into "Brazil" once I got it, cause it reminds me of Brazil's flag It was not fretted originally, but the ramp impeded my dynamics so I decided to turn it into a fretless with a brand new fretless neck. Never regretted the move.

I think I might get a Combustion to defret myself.

Thanks Fullie.

Having played Brazil as a fretless, I have to admit it's one smokin' bass and the best fretless I've played (of course). If fretless is your thing, go ahead.

[quote="fullrangebass":2ygjzz8l] The SF I's that came with my Z3 had great singing mids, but the clarity of the B and E strings did not have the clarity that I dearly love. From what I know the SF II have rectified this issue. So I am waiting for my SF II's to form an informed opinion. [/quote:2ygjzz8l] Say wahhh? What did I miss here? SF II's? When were they announced? Mark

[quote="guitarded":3kif08eb] Say wahhh? What did I miss here? SF II's? When were they announced? Mark[/quote:3kif08eb] That's what I was thinking! I am not sure the Super Fatties can be improved that much since they sound so good already.

I need to find the thread where Sheldon says that I mentioned that the clarity of the (original) SF's in the B and E string was not as perfect as on the FDs and he progressed on that (so I suppose it makes them SF II)

Has anyone posted any audio clips with a fretless dingwall?