Which fretless do you suggest I get?

[el basso]

definitely consider Carvin; several models and hundreds of options combos for under $2,000.

[patrickm]

Status Streamline..... Uber light,beautiful looking as well as sounding instrument!

[Hot Pocket]

Used Pedulla Buzz.

[wolfmancharlie]

Wishbass

[fretster]

Check out Rob Allen basses. There is an owners thread here, and different models are passing through Talkbass classifieds frequently.

[chef wong]

The trans red Dean 4 string is the richest sounding, best playing fretless bass I have ever heard. The one I had did need new pickups/electronics, is the only thing.

I should also mention the tuning was very stable on the Dean.

[spufman]

I've tried a bunch and owned a few. For me the answer was an EBMM Sterling. It's a neck I'm very used to because my main fretted is also a Sterling. Fretless is tricky so comfort and familiarity are key, I think.

[Lesfunk]

Used Pedulla or Modulus VJ. I like coated or phenolic boards for fretless

[Igotsoul4u]

Originally Posted by mtb777

Pick up a used Pedulla PentaBuzz. You will never, never be disappointed.

agree. I own a musicman sterling fretless that I love for many reasons a huge one being its the same as the fretted bass I play. It makes transitioning easy. I also owned a warwick corvette standard fretless and I liked it, but ultimately I had issues with intonation for some reason. Carvin is a good look at you can always send it back.

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by Ronen

This might be right for you but bad advice for someone else. Lines or not has nothing to do with being serious.

Agreed, but the problem with lines for me is two-fold:

1. Most lined FLs have side dots at the same position as fretted basses. In normal playing position, I cannot see the fingerboard. I rely on side dots, muscle memory and my ear. If I need to locate a side dot on a lined FL, I then need to make a second decision as to where the proper pitch is located relative to the side dot. An unlined FL with side dots at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15... is perfect for this. No need to think too much. An FL bass with dots at all pitches is equally useless to me, as there is no frame of reference; just a myriad of dots with no context.

2. Fret lines impart a false sense of proper pitch. Intonation on an FL is a different animal from a fretted bass. Action and string thickness play a bigger role in proper pitch relative to fretted basses, so fret lines are not necessarily reliable from the E to the G string.

Notice that I made no mention of aesthetics or seriousness (until now, of course).

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by MyMusic

Carvin. They are not on the east coast, but for your indicated budget, you can get something really nice. I've seen four strings available for under $800.

Originally Posted by GM60466

Carvin makes several models .

Originally Posted by el basso

definitely consider Carvin; several models and hundreds of options combos for under $2,000.

Another vote for Carvin. Meets all of the OP's purchase criteria, including wide range of semi-custom options. And those CNC machines operate within some VERY tight tolerances - allowing for the kind of precision action that is ideal for fretless.

Need a lightweight instrument? Specify one made with swamp ash or alder.

MM

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

And those CNC machines operate within some VERY tight tolerances - allowing for the kind of precision action that is ideal for fretless for those players that prefer really low action.

Fixed that for you. I abhor low action.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Fixed that for you. I abhor low action.

My bad. I keep forgetting about those fretless players who prefer to wrestle with the instrument in order to get their sound...

MM

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Agreed, but the problem with lines for me is two-fold:

1. Most lined FLs have side dots at the same position as fretted basses. In normal playing position, I cannot see the fingerboard. I rely on side dots, muscle memory and my ear. If I need to locate a side dot on a lined FL, I then need to make a second decision as to where the proper pitch is located relative to the side dot. An unlined FL with side dots at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15... is perfect for this. No need to think too much. An FL bass with dots at all pitches is equally useless to me, as there is no frame of reference; just a myriad of dots with no context.

2. Fret lines impart a false sense of proper pitch. Intonation on an FL is a different animal from a fretted bass. Action and string thickness play a bigger role in proper pitch relative to fretted basses, so fret lines are not necessarily reliable from the E to the G string.

Notice that I made no mention of aesthetics or seriousness (until now, of course).

Well said I have made and played both and lined fretlesses seem to confuse me more for the reason listed above.

[thewildest]

Originally Posted by brlottermann

I've been saving up and I'm looking into buying a fretless electric bass. Either a 4-string or (my first ever) 5-string, as I am enticed by the idea of being able to play a low E flat without needing to tune down. My price range is around $1000 to $2000. Also, I would prefer a relatively lightweight fretless, as I usually play longer shows (3-4 hours) and I always play standing up. Really heavy basses would wear me out too much. So, preferred weight would be no higher than 4.4kg or so. Lastly, I'm not so interested in so-called "generic" brand basses like Fender or Ibanez (partly because I already own one and am interested in expanding my horizon). I feel like smaller bass companies have more of an identity. I base this off nothing at all, just my gut feeling.
.

Hi there, I recently got an FBass, and I have tried dozens of instruments, and never was "thunderbolt ed in awe" as when I put my hands on my BNF6. I know price it one of your variables, but in my experience there is no better fretless instrument out there, all said with the highest respect for everyone else's great advise already provided in this thread. You get the correspondent value of every penny you invested on it, nothing in the instrument is a fancy detail, all specs blends into a perfection.

If you find one (used perhaps?) that fits your needs (it may cost you a few more bucks) I would totally consider FBass.

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

I keep forgetting about those fretless players who prefer to wrestle with the instrument in order to get their sound...

I played doublebass for 20 years (including five years in a symphony orchestra where high action = volume), so an electric with low action feels like a cheap toy in my hands. No wrestling involved at all.

[Cirk]

Years ago I had a koa Carvin, but I just couldn't get the tone I wanted out of it. Guess flatwounds are just not for me. I currently have a Warwick Corvette Std, and couldn't be happier in terms of tone, playability and ergonomics.
As for any pursuit of tone, follow your heart. Ideally, a blind "taste test" where you have a good amp set up with flat tone controls and someone just hands you different basses to try. No names or prices mentioned. I realize this isn't practical for most folks, but it would be a nice way to knock down preconceived notions. When doing your "taste test", please don't lick the basses, at least not until they're paid for.

[brlottermann]

Lots of posts about the Pedulla Pentabuzz. They sound great, but I think I'd prefer my fretless to be natural/not colored. So I've been looking into Wal basses and I'm really digging the MK 3 5string fretless. Anyone have any experience with this bass or Wal basses in general?

[Ronen]

Originally Posted by brlottermann

... My price range is around $1000 to $2000. Also, I would prefer a relatively lightweight fretless, as I usually play longer shows (3-4 hours) and I always play standing up. Really heavy basses would wear me out too much.

^ This ^ and you want a Wal ?!

[brlottermann]

Originally Posted by Ronen

^ This ^ and you want a Wal ?!

Well, i really like the look of Wal basses, if they've got the right sound as well i'd be willing to wait and save up a bit more. I'm trying to get one that really fits me, and if i can't afford it, i think its worth the wait.