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5-string, Semi-hollow, Fretless?

Gare Boo

Gare Boo

Jun 16, 2019
313
143
#1
Hello can anyone recommend me a 5-string fretless with a Semi-hollow or completely hollow construction? The only basses I know that check the boxes are the Ibanez SRH505F and the Spector Core bass. Would like to know more, my budget is around 1k USD, definitely no more that 2k. Thanks!

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Spector SpectorCore 5 - AmberBurst Gloss

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#2
The only other option I could find that fits these criteria is the Warwick Starbass. They offer this model in the Rockbass (Chinese made) and the Pro (German made) series in a five-string fretless. Besides that, you might have to expand your horizons a bit more, or delve into the custom and handmade world, it that's your thing.
 
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#3
If you don’t mind a medium or short scale, you could a modest Mensinger Cazpar for under 2 grand pretty easy. I have one planned out, it’ll be more like $2600 because I want a fancy top(burl) and fingerboard(pals moon Ebony) in addition to wanting a nice Delano PH Xtender pickup set, with active/passive preamp. I also made a very dialed back passive version for around $1750, still had the Xtender humbucker and an Ebony fb.
 
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#8
If you are looking at it for lighter weight, maybe have a custom build or order a body and neck and make your own? That's what I did. I built my 5 string fretless with a chambered alder body and a 34.5" scale neck. It has Barts, a Demeter preamp and a piezo bridge. It weighs a whopping 6 pounds and can get real close to the sound of an upright.
 
#12
Star Bass 5? I own the fretted version and it's just superb (mine's the Korean ProSeries, but the difference with the current RockBass version is minimal really). Not far indeed from a Jazz Bass tone, just thicker/warmer and with outstanding sustain. Decent low B too. I ditched the TTVV control layout I didn't like much in favor of a VVT + cap selector rotary switch. The center section of the body is a thick solid maple block so it behaves mostly like a solid body (no feedback, no microphonics).



I'm surprised by the low output claim in the video. My Star Bass is hotter than most other basses I own. It's certainly a scooped kind of tone, expect to have to boost some mods to counter that a bit, still nothing dramatic.
 
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#15
Gare Boo said:
Hello can anyone recommend me a 5-string fretless with a Semi-hollow or completely hollow construction? The only basses I know that check the boxes are the Ibanez SRH505F and the Spector Core bass. Would like to know more, my budget is around 1k USD, definitely no more that 2k. Thanks!

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Spector SpectorCore 5 - AmberBurst Gloss

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nFinnyD said:
Mensinger Cazpar for under 2 grand pretty easy
Click to expand...

Maruszczyk/Mensinger makes great basses. They will do Semi/hollow body on a few different models, as well as a bunch of different options. Scale length, pickups, wood etc... for under 2K if you don't get too carried away with options. If I didn't build my own, and was looking for a hollow 5 string, would definitely go with Maruszczyk

Play around with their configurator, it's fun. I mocked this up and it would be 1,800. Link Removed



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#16
I own a Spectorcore and a Carvin AC40. The Spector gets used constantly, the Carvin barely leaves the house.

In all, it’s one of my go-to basses. Balances and plays well, looks “good”, fits in great with my acoustic projects. I use TI flats on it.

Downsides are that:
It’s fragile (basswood tends to lose screws, and my bridge is held on with bolts. Nicks and dings everywhere)
It’s a one-sound bass regardless of the electronics, so I hope you like that sound
I didn’t care for the two tone knob setup or the piezo pickup. Mine is now full passive and I like it much better.
 
#18
Why do bass builders think that piezo pickups are the best/only good sound on a semi-hollow fretless?

Makes zero sense to me. Yes you can use non-metal strings that way. But with metal strings, whatever kind you prefer (rounds for me even on fretless), and good electric pickups AND piezo with blend control between the technologies, you get the best of both worlds. I just don't get it...

Well, cosmetically I get it. no pickups looks great on these beautiful basses. But as you can see in at least one pic, there a mag pickup as well with matching wood veneer cover, so that's a pretty sexy way to solve the problem.
 
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#19
funkinbottom said:

Maruszczyk/Mensinger makes great basses. They will do Semi/hollow body on a few different models, as well as a bunch of different options. Scale length, pickups, wood etc... for under 2K if you don't get too carried away with options. If I didn't build my own, and was looking for a hollow 5 string, would definitely go with Maruszczyk

Play around with their configurator, it's fun. I mocked this up and it would be 1,800. Link Removed

View attachment 4467023
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That looks very tempting... those configurators are bad for the bank balance :)
 
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