32" Fretless under $2000?

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.

 

Maruszczyk may be worth a look.

 

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.

 

2 great builders with very fair prices are
Steve McDonald Basses

Tom Clement Instruments | Specializing in Hand-Crafted Lightweight Basses and Guitars

but Warmoth 32's are fantastic imo

 

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

Heat

pry out

keep going

install with wood glue



trim and radius block then I use Truoil and wax to finish it

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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!

 

If you have a full size body, I would recommend one of Brad Lowe's conversion necks in fretless. I have one with an ebony fingerboard.

For Sale - LOWE Custom USA 32" Scale 4 string Conversion Necks

 

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.

 

Excellent suggestion! I have had two of them and they were both great necks that worked well with every Precision or Jazz body I tried them on. I haven't had a fretless version yet, but I would love to get one.

 

yeah me too . I have 2 Lowe 32's love'em

 

thirded on the lowe neck. if you can afford it, muckleroy basses are great, too.

 

Not sure what your taste is like, you could probably get a Mensinger Cazpar for under 2k, even new based on some listings I've seen. Not sure what's available now.

 

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.