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another fretless deal comes along....

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by ameli, Jul 15, 2003.

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  1. Jul 15, 2003 #1
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    Having decided not to bid on the previous eBay <A HREF="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=92798">
    deal</A> on a fretless I posted awhile ago, here comes another one.

    http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545058625&category=4713

    For more info... It's an Ibanez SR400FL made in Korea. I've never played SR's before, so tell me what you guys think of this deal.

    It's pretty hard to get an affordable used fretless in Australia, especially with my tight budget. I'm also thinking to buy new, but with the budget I'm left with only 2 options so far:

    Yamaha RBX270F
    or
    Aria MAB09F

    Both sells for about $500-600 Australian, and are passive basses. I'm not sure whether to buy new, or to get the Ibanez which is an active.

    Any comments would really help, thanks!
     
  2. Jul 16, 2003 #2
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    I say: GO FOR IT:D<BR><BR>I want an affordable fretless as well. Let me know what you think if you do get it
     
  3. Jul 16, 2003 #3
    Atshen

    Atshen

    Mar 13, 2003
    Grim Cold Québec
    Don't get fooled with the idea that any active bass will sound better than any passive bass.
     
  4. Jul 16, 2003 #4
    bryan bailey

    bryan bailey

    Feb 15, 2003
    North Kingstown, Rhode Island

    Pfft, my first fretless is going to be $721.88
     
  5. Jul 16, 2003 #5
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    mm hmm... I'm still not sure whether the active electronics would make a big difference in sound, or not. But all in all, I say, getting this bass is better than buying a new RBX270, am I right?Anyway. Still got 5+ odd days to decide, so no rush.

    unharmed: Yeah, so hard to get an affordable one around Melbourne. All the good stuff cost more than $1000
     
  6. Jul 16, 2003 #6
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    <BR><BR>Tell me about it :rolleyes: I think I'll just end up de-fretting a cheapie to see if I like it (and am capable of playing it:D)
     
  7. Jul 17, 2003 #7
    Atshen

    Atshen

    Mar 13, 2003
    Grim Cold Québec
    Why don't you get an Essex? Many people here swear by them, and they're cheap. And if you really want to get active, you could install a preamp later!
     
  8. Jul 17, 2003 #8
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    Hmm... if I could find an online shop that ships an Essex to Australia, I would consider it....

    The Essex range sold here doesn't include fretless basses.
     
  9. Jul 17, 2003 #9
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    Hey Ameli. Do you know who stocks Essex basses in Melbourne? I've only seen them in pawn shops and as part of 'Starter Packages'
     
  10. Jul 17, 2003 #10
    5stringDNA

    5stringDNA

    Oct 10, 2002
    Englewood, CO
    I've seen this issue drilled several times before here on Tb the answer alwys ends up being simply that no one knows a an Essex distributor in Australia.

    As far as teh Ibanez, if its a 4 string and is a model sr300 or higher, its usually a decent instrument. I don't really like ibanez fretless tone- it seems ibanez basses are designed to have frets because of the "attitude" of their DX active pickups. At any rate, if you like the bass, I would say go ahead and buy if you can't afford something better because its probably a quality piece of lumber
     
  11. Jul 17, 2003 #11
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    Sorry 5string. Should have searched. Just a spur of the moment kinda question :)
     
  12. Jul 17, 2003 #12
    eljuapo

    eljuapo

    Mar 13, 2003
    Just to the left of the pocket
    My only advice on this is to be careful with sellers that have a zero (0) rating on Ebay.
     
  13. Jul 17, 2003 #13
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    Yeah.. me too.. what a coincidence. Actually Melmusic and Cranbourne sells some Essex P-copy basses, but nothing fretless! Too bad as it looks like they're decent basses.
     
  14. Jul 17, 2003 #14
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    Thanks, Ameli. Will have to check them out. :p
     
  15. Jul 22, 2003 #15
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
  16. Jul 22, 2003 #16
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    Hey Ameli,<BR><BR>Yeah I was watching that one as well. Oh well :rolleyes: <BR><BR>BTW I found 3 SX basses in Paradise Music in Victoria St, Richmond. Came very close to walking out with one. Next payday I think I probably will. :p
     
  17. Jul 22, 2003 #17
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    Cool... you found them. What model?

    If everything goes OK I'm getting my fretless Yamaha off Allans next fortnight...hehe
     
  18. Jul 22, 2003 #18
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    Naturally, I didn't check the model :rolleyes:. The one I almost got was black P-style with black pickguard. The strings felt awful and the action was a little high but otherwise it played and sounded pretty good.<BR><BR>I don't go into the city much these days. Does Allans have a good range of basses?
     
  19. Jul 23, 2003 #19
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    On brand variety, not really... mainly Ashtons (hmm..), some Yamahas, Mexi Fenders and some Ibanez Soundgears. They used to have MusicMan basses but I didn't check last time I went there... anywho, Bass Centre in Sth Melb still has more 'wow' factor.
     
  20. Jul 23, 2003 #20
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    <BR><BR>That is true. I have to stop going there until I can afford stuff :(<BR>You've got me thinking about those Yammie RBX fretli now :D
     
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