Acoustic Fretless Basses?

[fozz]

Okay, I normally don't post one of these "what's your opinion" threads because I know I'll get 30 different opinions. But, since I have limited local resources, and am going to have to make an on-line purchase, I am needing opinions.

I'm going to buy a fretless 4-string acoustic. I've seen several on-line that interest me. So, for those of you fortunate to have at least played some of these if not own them, give me your thoughts on these:

Micheal Kelly Dragonfly acoustic fretless
Dean EAB acoustic fretless
Godin A4 acoustic fretless
Boulder Creek BR3-N4F acoustic fretless
Breedlove Atlas acoustic fretless

Thanks in advance!
Fozz

[basspraiser]

My recommendations (in order of preference):

Rick Turner Renaissance 4 or 5
Breedlove
MK Dragonfly (which I have now - (fretted version and REALLY like it) but have played the others and KNOW I would like them more but have lackage of fundage to buy)

The Rick Turner can sound like an upright or a fretless "whine"...the Turners and Breedloves (especialy those a few years old) exude quality...the Dragonfly is nice....and is the ONLY one of the three I recommended that has a bridge 'tough" enough to install Chromes (which are on mine).....I bought the MK as a reasonable priced bass to see if an acoustinc would fit my style...it does - very well....

will buy a Turner or Breedlove someday!

[dwgalloway]

I've got a 5-string version of the MK Dragon Fly that I've really enjoyed. It's great acoustically. I've got two problems with it when I plug it in. I've got a really nasty hum that I can only take care of when I touch the plug to ground it. I'm planning on taking it in somewhere to get it checked out but haven't yet. The other problem is with the B-string... the bridge pickup doesn't pick up that string very well. If I stay on the bottom four strings, it's got a great sound; they are very balanced volume wise. It's just the B-string that is much lower voume relative to the other four. Anyway, I would recommend the instrument. For the price, I think it's a good deal. I've played the Dean, an Ibanez, and a Fender but not the others. I pick the MK over those...

[fozz]

Thanks guys...so far, so good. I like the looks of the Dragonfly...but we all know that has nothing to do with playability and tone. I had kind of started shying away from the Dragonfly though, because I've read a couple of bad reviews on it, and several of the online stores that "DID" sell it are now saying it's been discontinued.

That Rick Turner bass looks pricey, and so far I haven't found a web-site that's giving me a price on them.

Keep the replies coming. The more info you guys give me, the better I'll feel (hopefully) making this kind of purchase.

Fozz

[prd004]

The Carvin AC40F will smoke all those, better tone, feel and constuction. The price can't be beat either. Do yourself a favor and look into one.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by basspraiser

My recommendations (in order of preference):

Rick Turner Renaissance 4 or 5

+1!!!

If you plan on playing with a band and gig out, look no further. I used to have the 5 and now I have a 4 (the 5's neck was a bit too large for my fretting hand), these are great basses, well worth the reasonable cost, especially, if you find a second hand Ren.

[fretlessguy]

I gotta go with prd004 on this one. I own the Ac40F as well. It is light weight, but gives a thick sound. With phosphor bronze strings it gives a nice mwah sound and with flats it sounds like a cross between a fretless and an upright. It is thin bodied with chambers in it, so it is pretty well feedback resistant. It sounds excellent with GHS Precision flats (.40-.95), LaBella Tapes (It comes with those) and TI Jazz Flats. Its cons would be its expensive price and the fact it has only a 2 band graphic on it.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

I gotta go with prd004 on this one. I own the Ac40F as well. It is light weight, but gives a thick sound. With phosphor bronze strings it gives a nice mwah sound and with flats it sounds like a cross between a fretless and an upright. It is thin bodied with chambers in it, so it is pretty well feedback resistant. It sounds excellent with GHS Precision flats (.40-.95), LaBella Tapes (It comes with those) and TI Jazz Flats. Its cons would be its expensive price and the fact it has only a 2 band graphic on it.

I have to go with Carvin too. I've got a fretless AC50F. I've kept the tapewounds (really cheap string sets direct from carvin, sound great and feel wonderful under your fingers) Excellent Mwah. very percussive (means picks up noise as you touch strings...can be used musically or minimized by rolling off highs). Super sound. Does an especially good upright imitation if you put a tringular wedge of foam under the strings at the bridge. The foam is triangular because the low strings need more damping than the high strings to even it out across the strings. Change your plucking style to a more uprightish side of the finger and voila! Instant upright sound!

In my opinion the only thing it needs is a magnetic neck pickup to mix in so you can swing the tone from a magnetic sound to a more acoustic sound by controlling the mix. But it's none too shabby as it stands! And Yes, REALLY light weight (6.4 pounds on mine) but a true "heavyweight" in the tone department!

[jibreel]

I have both the Carvin and two of the Turners.

The Turners SMOKE the Carvin in every way but the Carvins are great basses and you can't go wrong with them.

You can get tons more tonal variations with the Turners. By far.