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Beginner Fretless bass?

L

LeoSash

Feb 13, 2012
102
0
#1
I've been very dissatisfied with my 6 string sound for a while now, and i've been thinking, maybe get a cheap beginner fretless to test the waters (i have tried a fender fretless and it sounds great!) I was thinking something from rondo music like the SX ura or douglas basses, but i just wanna know if theres any other things i should look into as far as either these basses or if theres another good beginner fretless i could get, maybe i can look into that.
 
#2
I don't know about the Rondo music offerings other than the higher end models seem well received. I did just buy a somewhat beat up looking Fender fretless Jazz from the TB classifieds for $225 shipped. It plays and sounds great! I'd spend a few weeks seeing what pops up on TB in my price range before I would buy a super cheap bass from anyone.

Ken
 
#5
+1 on the Squier VM Fretless; got one last year off evilBay for $180 and in good shape. GC gets them in used fairly frequently, as well. Good bass for the buck if you want to get into fretless, por mwah.
 
#6
-1 on the Squier VM fretless, I got one for a cheap fretless and I regret it. They aren't very good. The fretboard lines are not properly leveled at the factory so in order to make it playable you have to take a radius block and sand the neck down. I have seen this issue on all 10 or so I have played personally. They also are too high at the nut to get a good setup. The pickups weren't my thing either and they do need to be shielded but that was the smallest of the issues

I personally recommend you look elsewhere unless you are comfortable doing work on it yourself.
 
#7
Yea the squier doesn't seem too good to me anyways. I was just wondering if anyone actually tried these knock off basses from rondo. I've heard good things, so i was thinking about it. However i should check TB classifieds too.
 
#16
I'm surprised there's so much hate for the Squier. I don't own one but have played a few. Seemed ok to me. I'm thinking about picking up the unlined maple jazz from rondo myself. It's my understanding that fretless maple is similar in tone to ebony, and oh how I love ebony fingerboards.
 
#17
My favorite entry level fretless is the Cort B4FL. Wenge neck (very Warwick like and very fast), budget Barts, loads of mwah, plays and feels like a much more expensive instrument.



/rick
 
#20
Maybe my opinion sucks but here it is...

So, in the past when I have made the sacrifice getting something less of value, I ended up frustrated with the quality and eventually got rid of it, usually sooner than later. I understand that money might be tight as it is for myself, but hold out for the right instrument. The one you connect with and feels right in your own hands. The one that has the tone you are looking for in your head. More expensive doesn't translate to better necessarily but don't be hasty in your decision you might regret it. Saving a little more coin for the right instrument might save you a lot of headache and regret in the end.
 

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