6 string fretless

[jg42]

Ok,
here's the scoop: have been playing again (after a 15yr hiatus) for a year now and comfortable with 4 stringers (both fretted and fretless). Now I'm looking into 6 string fretless. Any recommendations? Or should I get a fretted first and then defret it? (I'm thinking of Ibanez gvb36 or something along those lines).

p.s. I have small hands, however I feel I'll be ok.

p.p.s. are there any short scale 6 string fretless, say 30-32"?

Thank you!

 

[Immigrant]

They're out there, but I've never seen one that wasn't a from custom/boutique builder. Check out Cliff Bordwell's stuff.

 

[Gorn]

Carvin.

 

[nojj]

I have a Carvin neck-through, longscale, but a fairly narrow neck.
Good of those of us blessed (or cursed) with small hands.

I wouldn't recommend a de-fretted neck.

 

[scatbass]

Another Carvin vote here...

 

[Randyt]

FBASS!!!...King of Fretless!...enjoy!

 

[Luv2Pla4U]

p.p.s. are there any short scale 6 string fretless, say 30-32"?

Thank you!

Kurt at Rondo Music has these
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You can either defret it yourself or Kurt can defret it for you prior to shipping. I've played one that was defretted by the owner, it's a decent little bass.

 

[SteveC]

Without a doubt - Roscoe. Best fretless I've ever played. Most comfortable 6 string neck as well. I had a fretted 6 but the neck was the most playable of any 6 I've tried.

I now have a fretless (5) and its the most amazing bass. I play it more than my fretted Roscoe.

 

[Gorn]

Kurt at Rondo Music has these
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You can either defret it yourself or Kurt can defret it for you prior to shipping. I've played one that was defretted by the owner, it's a decent little bass.

He defrets basses on request? How much does he charge?

 

[Luv2Pla4U]

How much does he charge?

I have no idea, my friend mentioned that was an option that he explored but didn't choose. I guess Kurt could answer that for you.

 

[jg42]

I have a Carvin neck-through, longscale, but a fairly narrow neck.
Good of those of us blessed (or cursed) with small hands.

I wouldn't recommend a de-fretted neck.

Was looking at them, however all I've seen so far (used) were fretted. If I want to get fretless, probably have to custom order. does 1" make a big difference? (Between 34" and 35").

 

[jg42]

FBASS!!!...King of Fretless!...enjoy!

They look nice but way out of my budget. I'd love to find something around 1-1.5k (I'm ok with used).

 

[jg42]

Without a doubt - Roscoe. Best fretless I've ever played. Most comfortable 6 string neck as well. I had a fretted 6 but the neck was the most playable of any 6 I've tried.

I now have a fretless (5) and its the most amazing bass. I play it more than my fretted Roscoe.

There's a nice 6 string fretless roscoe on eBay, but it's still 2.7K. :-(

 

[jg42]

Kurt at Rondo Music has these
Link Removed

You can either defret it yourself or Kurt can defret it for you prior to shipping. I've played one that was defretted by the owner, it's a decent little bass.

Great, thank you! Having said that I'm now concerned about how will the low B sound on such a short scale. And does 1" make a huge difference in terms of playability?

 

[SteveC]

There's a nice 6 string fretless roscoe on eBay, but it's still 2.7K. :-(

Yeah, they aren't cheap, but SO worth it. Bass Specialties had an amazing Signature for $2,400 a while back. They only made a few of them. If I needed a 6, it would be in my house right now.

 

[Luv2Pla4U]

Great, thank you! Having said that I'm now concerned about how will the low B sound on such a short scale. And does 1" make a huge difference in terms of playability?

5 minutes in a family room just gave me time to hold it & run a few scales on it. That said, it was decent but hardly comparable to a Roscoe (which I have only seen in pictures). It played very well and was easy to get used to.
If I had GAS for another bass I'd consider it, but amps & cabs have all my attention at the moment.