I have been out of the bass buying market for about 15 years now. I want a 4 string fretless for under a grand. Simply for home enjoyment and recording/looping. What is out there that isn't too cheap in quality. Are MTD Kingston OK, I have searched the forums and seems to be lots of opinions out there. Have patience on an old dog, 20 years ago there weren't too many options. Is phenolic a plus or minus. Is it going to sound different than ebony. I am looking for that Manring kind of tone clear, clean and not muddy. Any opinions are appreciated. I have always used passive electronics. Had bad luck in the 80's with 9v actives. Are the new actives better?
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4 string fretless, HELP
- Thread starter kcolyar
- Start date
I would check Carvin. I have owned several of their basses, and one of my favorites was a fretless LB-70F. Carvin is the only manufacturer I know that will allow you your choice of fingerboard, lined/unlined, body type, color, hardware, pickups, inlays.... you name it. VERY high quality instruments for a Fender price.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
What type of problems did you have with active pickups in the 80s? I'm curious.
As for the fretless - I've owned a few fretlesses, and all of them were bargain basses (under $500). Realized that if I want a fretless I'm going to actually play I'm going to have to drop a little more $$, and check it out first as they seem to all have a personality of their own. I love Musicman basses and equally loved any MM fretless I ever picked up. Used, you can probably get a Bongo or stingray in your range (or just a hundred or 2 more). Bongos have tons of EQ variations, and if you're not familiar with the basses themselve - do a search here. I don't think there's a person on the board who's owned one and can speak negatively about it. Stingrays now come with different pickup options also, so a whole new world is opened up to them. Just ordered one with frets last week.
Oh - and I've never had any issues with active basses, aside from the batteries dying if I don't replace them after about 6 months of heavy use. They usually give good warning signs before crapping out too.
As for the fretless - I've owned a few fretlesses, and all of them were bargain basses (under $500). Realized that if I want a fretless I'm going to actually play I'm going to have to drop a little more $$, and check it out first as they seem to all have a personality of their own. I love Musicman basses and equally loved any MM fretless I ever picked up. Used, you can probably get a Bongo or stingray in your range (or just a hundred or 2 more). Bongos have tons of EQ variations, and if you're not familiar with the basses themselve - do a search here. I don't think there's a person on the board who's owned one and can speak negatively about it. Stingrays now come with different pickup options also, so a whole new world is opened up to them. Just ordered one with frets last week.
Oh - and I've never had any issues with active basses, aside from the batteries dying if I don't replace them after about 6 months of heavy use. They usually give good warning signs before crapping out too.
Fender MIA Jazz for just under $1,000 or you may want to try the KSD Jazz bass for around $700 or a Lakland Skyline used 4402/new 4401.
Chef
In Memoriam
Thanks for the replies, this site is great. I own a carvin guitar and the quality is good. I was just thinking that ebony will wear out quickly (round wounds). I saw the MTD for around 700 at the perfect bass link and was curious if anyone has experience with them. I haven't seen any reviews on the site of them. They look appealing.
I have ebony on my fretless. After a year with roundwounds (better quality ones for sure) the wear is very slight but apparent. If the bass is set up well with nice low action, you can get by with a very light touch in the left hand. I don't think a synthetic FB is a very good idea. Ebony can be replaned, I don't think a synthetic is as easily maintained.
One of the best less expensive fretless sounds I've heard is the Fender. Where it is made is not too important. I have a friend that uses one, a 1975 we think, definitely 70's, with ralf-rounds. Even with rosewood, there is not much wear from the strings. She has had that bass for a long time too and plays professionally.
Chef
In Memoriam
Typically, ebony is harder than rosewood; but this varies so much as to be a fairly uselss generalisation.
My 1981 G&L L2000e fretless has no noticable fingerboard wear after 26 years of wearing rounds.
I've had Fender fretlesses with rosewood that fared as well, and some that did much worse.
My '72 Fender Precision fretless with the maple neck and fingerboard has held up to 35 years of rounds...so far...
My 1981 G&L L2000e fretless has no noticable fingerboard wear after 26 years of wearing rounds.
I've had Fender fretlesses with rosewood that fared as well, and some that did much worse.
My '72 Fender Precision fretless with the maple neck and fingerboard has held up to 35 years of rounds...so far...
