Beginner Fretless bass?

[swamp2]

I like to tinker so I bought an old US Peavey Forum w/ tired frets, pulled the frets out and filled the slots with very thin dark wood from a hobby store. There's not much contrast between the fingerboard and the fret lines but there's enough. Also put in a series/parallel switch and phase switch. My total investment was about $150, and it is a really nice instrument. Scratched my fretless itch and was a fun project too!

[tjnkoo]

I got a Stagg unlined fretless. It's great sounding and playing, its <$300, and very light. Steve Bailey even played it once and he didn't seem too offended, haha.

[jperala]

VM Jazz Bass is good, the lines are about 0,01mm. I dont have any problems with them. It is great bass, and good value for the money.

Sanding is easy if problem.

[Espresto]

I would suggest investing in a more expensive, higher quality fretless. Fretless is hard enough on it's own, and the setup is very finicky, so it's worth getting a good one to start out on.

[77stingray]

I have a really nice cort curbow fretless for cheap. Nice Bartolinin MK1 pick up and preamp!

Cort Curbow 4 FL (fretless)

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by tylerwylie

Squier VM Fretless, the one with the Ebonol board.

The above, great bang for your buck.
The ebonol board is nice.
An upgrade in pickups will help too.

[Hues]

Originally Posted by tjnkoo

I got a Stagg unlined fretless. It's great sounding and playing, its <$300, and very light. Steve Bailey even played it once and he didn't seem too offended, haha.

Does it have dot markings on the edge of the fretboard?..And how long have you had it?

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Peepaleep

Unlined necks are not suitable for beginners? How has anyone learned to play double bass, violin, cello, viola, etc?

It's very common to put lined stickers on instruments like that for beginners...

And personally, I thought my VM Squier was perfectly acceptable.

[Nick_2112]

Originally Posted by 4StringsEnough

Summary: people who have only played the Squier, recommend the Squier (or not, in some cases). People who have played both the Squire and the Vintage recommend the Vintage. Draw your own conclusions.... ;-)

+1....I have owned both (have had 2 fretless Squier's) and am very happy with my Vintage VJ96

[B LOW5]

For the money, the Ibanez SR375f is a fantastic bass, it is my first fretless and I can't put it down. Less than $400.00 from MF, and it is a high quality instrument. From opening the box to playing, only took 5 minutes set up, and now I'm hooked on fretless. Talk Bass forums really puts a twist on the old saying, " Reading is fun for the Mental"

[jperala]

Ok, my squier VM fretless is now good or better than good fingerboard is sanded and bridge change better one, done by professional. And you dont belive how good is it

If you come in Finland, come and try it

[agfrag]

+1 on the Squier VM Fretless, I had one while I was doing some extensive work on my main axe (also a fretless), and sold it when I was done. I did try a few until I got this one from GC, but now I wish I had it back! Here's a vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRWff1VOxRc