Fretless players speak up!

[quickervicar]

I'd especially like to hear from the L2k/ASAT fretless owners. How does the G&L preamp/electronics system work for the fretless sound? I love the way it works for all my fretted tones, but that "mwah" can be quite elusive to find in some fretless' electronics. Take my Ibanez....please.

[Dr. Cheese]

I can't speak for the L2K, but the L-1505 is fantastic! I can get all the mwah I want, I can get the jaco burp. I can also get more than enough bottom.

[earlgray]

I played an L-2500 fretless for a year or so as my primary gig bass. I used TI SuperAlloys (roundwounds).

You can get a wide range of sounds from the preamp settings -- I frequently used it with both pickups/active (middle). It also sounds good passive, but the preamp really brings out more of the fretless sounds.

I got a bit of scratching from the rounds on the ebony board, but not too much. Only reason I quit playing that bass was because I decided to move back to 4-strings.

My current GAS list includes an L-2k fretless...once I get one, fretless will be back in rotation.

[Chef]

'Vicar; mwah is to be found more in setup and technique that any particular instrument-at least in my experience.
You want to set the trussrod so the fingerboard is as flat as you can stand it, then set the action real low. You'll have to have good right hand technique to go as low and flat as possible and not just have things rattling around.
Having said that, I have two G&L fretli, they work well...:

[quickervicar]

Thanks, guys. This is quite helpful.

Chef, I agree with you on the setup & technique being key, though that L2k looks like it needs the strings freshened up. My Ibanez (please don't laugh!) has a flat board and rather low action. Sliding fingerings into position can get a bit of a the mwah action going, but the electronics on that bass seem to be setup for driving rock, so I either get mud or a cold-sounding "ssshrah". I am using flats on it, too. Rounds seem to make it worse.