I've had mixed results. I've gotten some very nice basses that way, but also a few not-so-nice ones. If returning is an option, take the plunge.
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I vote Squier. Fretless jazz bass = timeless appeal, and probably the fretless tone most hear in their head when you think “fretless bass”.
I mean.. if your giftcard must go to your desire for a fretless, I'd vote the Squier.
I'm looking at Thomann and they've got a much better selection to choose from. I'm curious how those inexpensive Harley Benton's I'm looking at play.
As far as sight unseen, out of the 3 basses I currently own only one of them was hanging on a wall in a store. The other two were sight unseen, one from Sire USA (My P7) and my most recent addition from zZounds.. and all three of my basses are kind of special to me at this point.
Not long after I got the Sire, I also ordered my first fretless.. in the $750 price range, and it had a unique feature set.. was a nice bass but the right instrument to adjust to fretless on for me. I owned it for a year, and took a $275 loss on a sale after having it listed for several months. While I didn't play it much, it was cheaper than renting the same bass for a year.. and the sale funded my the new guy in my lineup who has quickly become my favorite.
The two I still own that were sight unseen, I had a very strong inclination that I wanted them for their specific feature sets, and listening to youtube videos. Couldn't be sure til I got them in my hands.. but even if I hadn't liked them, it was worth the cost of shipping to try them out for 45 days imo. So far, I haven't returned any, other than one replacement due to manufacturer defects, which was hassle free and I had the replacement 2 days after I dropped the defective bass off for shipping.
Being honest though, a lot of that confidence comes from dealing with music equipment retailers. The idea of shopping for instruments on Amazon makes me weary. I don't know their policies, however.
I'm looking at Thomann and they've got a much better selection to choose from. I'm curious how those inexpensive Harley Benton's I'm looking at play.
As far as sight unseen, out of the 3 basses I currently own only one of them was hanging on a wall in a store. The other two were sight unseen, one from Sire USA (My P7) and my most recent addition from zZounds.. and all three of my basses are kind of special to me at this point.
Not long after I got the Sire, I also ordered my first fretless.. in the $750 price range, and it had a unique feature set.. was a nice bass but the right instrument to adjust to fretless on for me. I owned it for a year, and took a $275 loss on a sale after having it listed for several months. While I didn't play it much, it was cheaper than renting the same bass for a year.. and the sale funded my the new guy in my lineup who has quickly become my favorite.
The two I still own that were sight unseen, I had a very strong inclination that I wanted them for their specific feature sets, and listening to youtube videos. Couldn't be sure til I got them in my hands.. but even if I hadn't liked them, it was worth the cost of shipping to try them out for 45 days imo. So far, I haven't returned any, other than one replacement due to manufacturer defects, which was hassle free and I had the replacement 2 days after I dropped the defective bass off for shipping.
Being honest though, a lot of that confidence comes from dealing with music equipment retailers. The idea of shopping for instruments on Amazon makes me weary. I don't know their policies, however.
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Get the Squier.
I have an SR370EF, love it, and recommend them at pretty much every opportunity. However, I've always been drawn to the Ibanez SR aesthetic, and Fenders have never done anything for me.
You're the other way around. Get the one that calls to you, because that's the one you'll play instead of glaring at. If the pickups really do produce that much hum, they can be replaced.
Do try them in person first if you can, though. You may be surprised; I sure was, because that bass isn't the one I went in there to buy.
Yeah - but I can't! We're on lockdown and all non-essential* businesses are closed.
*I personally can see why a guitar store might be considered "essential" but the gov't doesn't agree!
I was starting to think the same thing. I want to learn to play fretless (so it will likely be 'occasional' use) - but I do think having a decent quality instrument can inspire me to make more of an effort. Or, probably more accurately, a shoddy bass will discourage me.
Last year I bought a Squier Telecaster Custom on Reverb. It's a nice guitar, but had issues with the nut. Not a huge deal - but I have just sent it off to a guy to replace the nut (and do some other stuff). All in, I'm paying about £100 for the work and I don't mind that. But I'd rather not have to do it again, if possible. I'm thinking maybe I wait, save up the £££ to buy a Sire or a Fender and then visit some shops later in the year and try before I buy.
say it ain't so! any fretless ax is worth more than all the pedals and records in the world! TRUTH!
