Best Fretless Acoustic Bass - midrange pricing

[dogwillhunt80]

Hello.

I am very interested in buying an acoustic/electic fretless bass. I am looking for something of very good/great quality, in no more than $700-$800 for just the bass.

I am hoping that while it is fretless, the neck will have the lines to show where the frets WOULD be, to make things easier.

Any suggestions/experiences any of you had with what I am describing, I would appreciate hearing them. Thanks!

 

[MD]

Breedlove, Boulder Creek, used Tacoma.
I may be wrong, but at that price point, there may not be any lines on the board. Lines are just fret slots filled in.

 

[gigslut]

You will find fretlines mostly on the cheaper models.
I own a Breedlove Atlas, they are in your price range, play and sound great. Alas, no fretlines, but the dot markers on the side will put you in the ball park. Your ears and practice will take over from there. Practicing with a tuner will improve your intonation.

 

[EvilVOG]

Michael Kelly has some nice fretless offerings, while not lined they have intricate inlays strategically laid out that you could identify where certain frets are.

I saw an applause lined fretless once, it was used for 199.

and you can always get something that is fretted, take it to a luthier and have it de-fretted

 

[LarryCrabtree]

Not as Expensive as you quote, but I plan a Squire by Fender Modified Fretless. It has lines Duncan PUPs great feel and sound. Usually about $250 or so on the Bay.

 

[dogwillhunt80]

I was actually looking for a Michael Kelly Club Custom fretless since I have seen many youtube videos of a guy playing it and it sounds great! They are so hard to find though since MK discontinued them.

The Dragonfly is quite common but from what I am told, is quite inferior to the Club Custom. And I know both have the dots on the neck.

 

[dogwillhunt80]

*BUMP*

I should also clarify that dots on the neck are okay too so it doesn't HAVE to have fret-lines but fret-lines are preferred if possible.

 

[MNAirHead]

MK Dragonfly is a very solid bass for the money (I owned all of the "must haves").. it was the best value for fretless.

There are position markers.

 

[MD]

*BUMP*

I should also clarify that dots on the neck are okay too so it doesn't HAVE to have fret-lines but fret-lines are preferred if possible.

It's fine if you want fret lines, but realize... the dots will not be in the correct positions.
The manufacturer doesn't put lines on the basses to aid the player. It's just cost effective to build one neck/board and fill in the pre milled fret slots. Side dot will always refer to a fretted board.

 

[chadds]

Might sound scary. Practice and don't look. Hear the music deep inside and just play. You will be shocked how in tune you will play. You are already familiar with the length of a bass fretbd so trust yourself.

Then , you'll mess up when you go into doubt, stop listening, leave the music and start looking at your finger bd.
It happens. You'll be fine!

 

[dogwillhunt80]

I should also add that something that fits what I am looking for PLUS has good volume unplugged and can keep up with an acoustic guitar, since I have heard that the MK Dragonfly (on another posting of mine) doesn't have the best volume unplugged.

 

[chronrondo]

Boulder Creek makes the ERB3-N4 and N5, four and five string, with fretlines. I have played a lot of acoustic bass guitars, and the BC is the best instrument, short of a handmade custom guitar.