5-string fretless advice?

[MethodsofDance]

Hey everyone, I am soon going to be getting a new fretless. Right now I'm rocking a passive 4 string Hohner jazz copy. Its not a bad bass, but I want something more lightweight, modern sounding and potentially with active electronics and of course 5 strings. Now there's several things I've got my eye on...

- That Ibanez Portamento thing, SRF705...my GOD that thing looks nice! slightly out of my current price range, but doubtlessly well worth saving up for.

- LTD B-205SM. These have a killer look and a nice price. I've seen them get praised around here before, and I've had my eye on one for a couple of years now. Would have no problems compromising for this one. I prefer the look of an unlined board but that's a mere aesthetic quibble.

I've also been looking at a Dean Edge 5, and the Warwick Rockbasses which have caught my interest. Can anyone here give me the word on the Rockbass? I've played a Streamer model before but I can't recall much about it. How are the necks? From what I understand Warwick makes quite a chunky neck, especially on a 5-string, and I don't have the biggest hands. Soundgear necks and similar are my thing, and I'd assume the LTD neck is in similar territory? I can deal with slightly bigger, but not seriously big and chunky.

Any advice welcomed!

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

IMHO Warwick have never had a "Chunky" neck. In about 2002 until 2008-ish they got away from the Super Skinny profile that the Wenge neck had up until 1998. These are referred to as the "Baseball Bat" necks. But they are Quite "Normal" sized when compared to Fender, G&L, EBMM, etc... They're just not Super Thin like a 1995 Corvette. And it was even less noticeable on the 5-Strings. BTW, I have a WONDERFUL 1997 Thumb Bolton Fretless 5-String. Wenge Neck & Black Ebony lined boards. MMMMMMWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! A used Warwick?

 

[jim777]

I would look at a used Carvin if you can find one

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

I would look at a used Carvin if you can find one

Yes! I had an LB76F, 6-String, but Great playing bass. I'm sure the 5's are similar. (And not a lot of $$$)

 

[MethodsofDance]

Thanks for the answers so far. Would you say the fingerboard on the Rockbass/Warwick is especially wide?

 

[Brother Goose]

Carvin for certain. Cort/Curbow had a "petite" style fretless w an ebanol fingerboard that REALLY growled. Any MusicMan will be a great fit for fretless- (although I prefer a neck pup for huge lows).

The world is your oyster- fretless basses are often the first to go! If your really committed to the task save and wait for something way better than you would have expected. Especially around Christmas when dudes are conjuring up some Santa dollars!