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5-string, Semi-hollow, Fretless?

#21
Godin A5, especially an older model with the L.R. Baggs electronics...if you can find one. Either way, they sound really, really good.

Godin-A5-Natural-Fretless-SN01104671F-a.jpg
 
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#22
#23
I second or third the Turner Renaissance Fretless V. It is not a conventional electric bass, which IMHO is an attribute, especially when using the TI Acousticore strings. I have had one for many, many years. It is the most expressive electric bass I have ever played. The Godins, and if you can find one used, a Fender A/E fretless, which I also own, are great, but as far as I know, the Fender A/E is only available in a 4 string model. I have played, but never owned, Rob Allen Mouse basses, which are also excellent.
 
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#25
Hi,

the Spectorcore is the one that I use most in my band. I always find an excuse to play fretless :-). Funnily it is the cheapest I own that gets the most play. The only drawback that I can find is that it is relatively senstive to humidity, need to adjust the neck twice a year.
I like the piezo, it gives a deep fundamental sound when reducing the presence for that PU to almost off, else it is way too bright. But better that way than having an instrument that is too dull out of the box, right. Mixing that with the magnetic allows to fine-tune midrange and presence.


Cheers,

Tom
 
#29
dkelley said:
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.
Click to expand...
IMG_20230215_110321_x.jpg

Mine was a purely cosmetic decision. Thought about integrating mag pickups under the end of the fingerboard, but just went with individual string piezos and I'm happy with it the way it is. Also has Roland GK output for other sounds.
 
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#31
ztan said:
View attachment 5017506
Mine was a purely cosmetic decision. Thought about integrating mag pickups under the end of the fingerboard, but just went with individual string piezos and I'm happy with it the way it is. Also has Roland GK output for other sounds.
Click to expand...
that really is incredibly beautiful! I'm all about the gk stuff too... using the string/instrument modelling so there's no lag (vb99 or gr55, for bass)
 
#33
dkelley said:
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.
Click to expand...

I suspect it may have something to do with the additional electronics required to provide a predictable, reliable, and comprehendable piezo/magnetic blend. Balancing those two technologies ain't easy, nor cheap, nor is it obvious what those challenges are to a neophyte player, and so if you're going to position your instrument as an "amplified acoustic"-type bass in the first place, you might as well save yourself (and your customers) money by only offering the piezo pickup.
 
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#34
Bob_Ross said:
I suspect it may have something to do with the additional electronics required to provide a predictable, reliable, and comprehendable piezo/magnetic blend. Balancing those two technologies ain't easy, nor cheap, nor is it obvious what those challenges are to a neophyte player, and so if you're going to position your instrument as an "amplified acoustic"-type bass in the first place, you might as well save yourself (and your customers) money by only offering the piezo pickup.
Click to expand...
true, but carvin did it amazingly well in their piezo/mag basses like the one in my thumbnail (icon 5 FL with factory piezo bridge and blend between piezo/mag and blend between both mag pickups etc etc etc). And yes it was pricey, but not like ungodly expensive.
 
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#35

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