I really like the look of an unlined fretless. When I purchased my 74 Series 1 it came with cheater LEDS on the side. They are helpful. I have found that once I got used to the scale (34) I didn't have to much of a problem playing or with intonation. My biggest thing is the neck. I like thinner necks. I find thick necks hard to play. As an example I have a Les Paul with the 50's style neck an while I love the sound I can't play it as easily as I want. Unlined just looks better. Thats just my preference.
Merry Xmas to the club,and may your New Year be filled with music.
 
Mark

Dave - That sounds like a great idea!
 
Mark - I also prefer the look of an unlined fretless, and my intonation is coming back the more I play the unlined Carvin I think.  The thickness of the neck is a big thing for me as well.  
 
I'm eager to see if anything pops up on ebay prior to me sending the bass off for the operation.  And of course my brother, current owner of the Carvin fretless, has been making noises that make me suspect he'd like to part with it.  He never plays it and has a Steinberger upright that he does play.  Ultimately, though, I think for my budget either getting the Lakland neck-swap or just getting another Lakland are the best answers unless I find a deal I just can't pass up.  I really like that bass a great deal.
 
Wolf - what bass did you play on that tune?
 
James (Malthumb), what did you like and/or dislike about the Lakland 55-02?
 
John

John , sooner or later I figured someone would ask!  
 
 That is a heavy  solid Ash body that I purchased from Stewart-MacDonald in the mid 1990's . The neck is a lined Paul Chandler maple fretless P Bass neck with a rosewood finger board that was epoxy coated by Jerry Dorsh of Graphite Guitar Systems. Jerry also did a natural synthetic finish over the entire instrument. The bridge is a Schaller Roller bridge . Tuners are large open gear Schaller. The pickups are Bartolini 9W4 . Electronics are passive volume /volume /tone.   It was one of my projects in the mid 1990's.   I might purchase an Alembic  JAZZ Activator set for it soon. For the Credits on the CD that the tune was released on I played Fretted  Alembic Bass  on other tunes . A fretless Alembic Series I or II  Bass is likely in my future.
 
 
(Message edited by sonicus on December 23, 2011)

John (811952),
 
I REALLY liked the 55-02 fretless. Pretty much everything about it.  It was a nice bass.  Easy to play in tune.  The 35 scale length was a non-issue.  The ONLY reason I sold it was that at the time I had a Hanewinckel fretted 6.  A Hanewinckel fretless 6 that was a consecutive s/n to my fretted 6 became available.  I only needed one fretless, so I sold the Lakland.
 
A few years later I realized I suck at 6 string so I sold both Hannies.  I needed a fretless, so I contacted the lady I sold the Lakland to and offered to buy it back for the same price.  She never responded.

Great info.  Thanks.
 
John

Here is my TRB-6P converted to fretless. I wish the lines were brighter. Only problem is that if you do an outdoor gig, passing airplanes will circle and try to land on it, with it's nice wide fretboard! However, it fits my big hands well.

That looks good.  There's a Spector on ebay (a Euro, I think) that's a conversion and nobody's bidding on it.  Perhaps it warrants a look-see..
 
John

It's seems I've shipped the G&L L-1000 to The Bass Emporium in Austin.  Pending a successful appraisal, it looks like I'll be trading it on a new tobacco sunburst Lakland 55-02 fretless...
 
John

Got the 5502 this morning.  It is one fine instrument.  Can't wait to gig with it!
 

 
Thanks for all the insight and discussion.  I am happy with where it led me.  
 
John

John - that is really a tease!
 
How about a couple pics with everything taken off?

Looks like the evil twin of the one I had and sold and tried unsuccessfully to get back.

Did kitty give it the paw of approval?  
Mike

The cat (Charlie Parker is his name) approves.  
 
It's nice, and the coil-select switch for the treble pickup offers some interesting flexibility.  More than I would have expected, actually.  Can't wait to gig with it.  And of course, my son is down in the basement right now flogging 811952 with a BIG smile on his face.  
 
 
 
 
 
And he wants a fretless now as well, just like Dad.  Scary thing is, he has some serious chops and a great ear and he's only in 8th grade.  I'm really proud of him.
 
 
 
Life is good, that we get to enjoy and share these things.  
 
John

It looks really sweet!
Have a blast, John
Mike

Yep, my son voluntary 'inherited' my 83 Squier P bass which I modified with a set of Alembic P/J activators(twin vols, bass & treble EQ), Badass II bridge, it was in good condition until he subjected it to the numerous thrash emo bands he was in..it still plays and sounds excellent but the body looks a little worn..or rock'n'roll christened!
He has moved onto wearing out his voice now!