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32" Fretless under $2000?

BaileyMan

BaileyMan

Supporting Member
Jan 8, 2012
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2,121
Oly Pen
#1
Talkbass brain trust...

Other than Warmoth, are there any 32" scale fretless basses, new or used, under $2000?

Warwick has one, never played Warwick though. I'd consider it if I could get my hands on one.

Serek has some, but out of my price range and not many on the used market.

Rob Allen, if I got really really lucky. May even consider selling my most prizzed bass for it.

Are there any medium scale Japanese fender fretlesses out there? What else is out there?
 
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#2
Hmm.. Warmoth comes to mind first. Pretty sure you can pair 32" neck and body with them. Easy to build, pick your finish, pickups, etc.

Otherwise, you could find a 32" scale bass you like and have it defretted. My Yamaha MB was 350. Bordwell was 2k. Used prices obviously.

Others will probably know more production options.
 
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#5
Depending on your DIY skills, you should be able to find a modest priced (under $400) 32" scale bass and pull out the frets, fill in with Bondo or something. Make your own.

I did that to an old Peavey T-20 one time. Of course, the T-20 is a 34" scale.
 
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#7
bassdude51 said:
Depending on your DIY skills, you should be able to find a modest priced (under $400) 32" scale bass and pull out the frets, fill in with Bondo or something. Make your own.

I did that to an old Peavey T-20 one time. Of course, the T-20 is a 34" scale.
Click to expand...
yes this can be done , if I am able to do it at home on the kitchen table anyone can . But don't use bondo , use Maple veneer
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Heat
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pry out
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keep going
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install with wood glue
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trim and radius block then I use Truoil and wax to finish it
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#8
bassdude51 said:
Depending on your DIY skills, you should be able to find a modest priced (under $400) 32" scale bass and pull out the frets, fill in with Bondo or something. Make your own.

I did that to an old Peavey T-20 one time. Of course, the T-20 is a 34" scale.
Click to expand...
fretno said:
yes this can be done , if I am able to do it at home on the kitchen table anyone can . But don't use bondo , use Maple veneer
View attachment 3878235
Heat
View attachment 3878236
pry out
View attachment 3878237
keep going
View attachment 3878238
install with wood glue
View attachment 3878239

View attachment 3878240
trim and radius block then I use Truoil and wax to finish it
View attachment 3878241
Click to expand...

Yeah. I've thought about that too. I am handy enough, and agree wood veneers would be the way to go. Thanks for the pics! Definitely the most cost friendly option...

fretno said:
but Warmoth 32's are fantastic imo
Click to expand...
I may also end up going this route. I've priced Warmoth out, just wondering what else is out there. I read about many many folks who really like their Warmoth builds.
 
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#9
Depends on how fancy you want to get. The Aria Pro II TSB-xxx Thor series are decent 32” scale basses.

I have a lower end TSB-350 fretless that sounds and plays great. You can find them all (including the upper end models) for well under a grand.
 
#10
One of Andrew Drake's specialties is 32 inch scale basses. Welcome to Drake Custom Bass - Drake Custom Bass.

His instruments are superb. I have owned, and still own several.

I doubt you will be able to get a new build for under $2,000, but you might be able to find an earlier model used one in the $1,500, or so, range. Andrew usually knows if his builds are for resale. If you contact him, I'm sure he would be more than willing to help if he knows of something available. He's a great guy.

Hope this is helpful

Koog
 
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#11
Check out Kisel Guitars. They can custom make you what. They used to be Carvin Guitars. They are well thought of here. My old Carven Bass is awesome.

I have bought and sold an Alembic 32 inch fretless for $1400. $2000 is a lot of money. Be patient your bass will find you.
 
#12
The new Squier Jag is 32". Easy to defret as an experiment.

I have a Landing 32" P and it's a great, great instrument. Having Jimmy build one might be more than $2k, but I scored this one for much less used on Reverb.com .

As others have said, if you have the luxury of time use it and try to be patient, the right one will get to you!
 
#14
MUCKELROY!

Brady Muckelroy builds medium scale basses that are second to none. You can occasionally get his standard models used in your price range, but just two weeks ago he released the first few of his new HMC Pro series models, and they are and incredible bargain. No compromise in quality and entirely built by Brady (no outsourcing), just more affordable because they are built efficiently with pre-determined woods, etc. without frills or "options". You might actually be able to get a new one without going over your budget by more than a $100-200. Lot's of great suggestions in this thread already, and I have owned or played most of them (and many are top shelf instruments), but I would choose a Muck over any of them. Also, in addition to building amazing basses, Brady is as nice a guy as you could ever hope to deal with!

P.S. -- If I was really on a tight budget, I would go with an old Aria Pro II medium scale (820mm/32.28" scale) Cardinal (CSB) or Thor Sound (TSB) series model. I have owned 4 or 5 of them and they all offered amazing value in basses that punch well above their weight class.
 
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#15
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#19
Love the suggestions!

I'll check all of these out for sure. I love the idea of tracking down an older Aria fretless. The TSB-650 from the late 70s early 80s would be great. Concentric volume/tone knobs, series/parallel switch for each pick up, brass nut, neck through. I'd want to check it out in person. Make sure the neck is in good shape.

Muckelroy and Menzinger hadn't popped up in my searches. I look forward to checking those out. Drake's basses are great looking, and from all I've heard, he seems like a really great guy, someone I'd want to support, but yeah, new is a bit out of my price range. Honestly, $2k is too, but I'd be able to save and budget for it if I found just the right one. If I could find a 32" Alembic for under (or near) $2k, I'd pretty likely go for it.

I know folks have also really liked the Lowe conversion necks. It wouldn't be too hard to put something together there, but for the price, I think I'd rather just do a Warmoth build.

I did consider getting a 32" Squier Jag (or Ibanez Mezzo) and defretting it. I know that with patience, the right bass will find me. Sometimes it helps to put it out to the Universe.

What else does the brain trust recommend?
 
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#20
I have to say, a lot of the suggestions so far are options I didn't even know were available. Great thread!

Of course, I have to throw a plug out there for ACG. Alan can do any scale from 30.5 to 35" for no difference in price. I also think he's gone down to guitar scale length. The "Classic" level can be in your price range depending on the options - Classic Specification | AC Guitars Obviously there is shipping and import fees on top of the final cost, but you'd have some time to save it up.
 
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