Breedlove Jumbo Solo Fretless

The controls are in the front sound hole, like this:

 

Not sure if you ever bought one, but I have one of these and love it.
But the electronics are in the old spot, not in the front soundhole.

 

I bought a new Breedlove Solo Jumbo fretless recently, and it has the controls in the sound hole. Adjusting the volume is pretty simple, no issues for me. The setup was good and the stock D'Addario Chromes work well, I think.

I had no experience with acoustic bass guitars before this Breedlove and so don't have anything else to compare it to. Unplugged, it's loud enough to be rewarding to play solo and to accompany my wife on her mandolin. I've been learning traditional Irish reels and jigs to play with her since gigging out has ground to a halt for the foreseeable future. I find that quite enjoyable and it's also helped improve my fretless electric playing.

Plugged in, the pickup seems to work well with lots of volume potential and nice tone, though I haven't of course had the opportunity to test it onstage at loud volume. The sound of it is somewhere between a double bass (I played one for years and recently sold mine) and electric. Though not as comfortable to play as a Fender, I don't mind the body shape much and the quality of the build matches the price in my opinion. I'm happy with it.

 

Totally agree, it's a ton of instrument for the money.
I practice on mine because plugging in an electric bass sometimes feels like overkill when practicing alone, and playing an acoustic is a much more rewarding experience than practicing on an unplugged electric.
But I have to repeat and reiterate my agreement to anyone who happens to read this and is on the fence about the Breedlove fretless: they're awesome, and totally worth the purchase.

 

Some pics, just cause. Love the tasteful inlay around the soundhole.

 

^^^
I'd own one - the older model like above. I could see a clashing of hands if I needed to adjust volume and keep a note going at the same time with the controls inside the sound hole.

 

I don't really get why they moved them.
I found mine for $600 on Reverb.

 

Curious, where's the preamp? Ya gotta have access to it, right?

 

Hi. My Breedlove Fretless Acoustic Bass arrived today, and I am having fun getting to know my new instrument.

There's something I need some help with (which I see that some of you have solved): How do you remove the side sound hole cover (and how do you put it back safely)? So far, I have seen no explanations on the internet for how to do this.

Secondly, if you do take that side sound hole cover off, does it change the tone as it projects from the front (when you're playing it plugged or unplugged)?

 

Congrats on the new bass, I love my Breedlove.

About the side sound hole cover, as I recall, it's not too rigid, and you can just kinda pull it right out. I'm not even sure where mine is, because the first thing I did was take it out. I remember it being really easy.

Taking it out doesn't change the tone.

Have fun with that thing!

 

Leave it out. An important aspect of playing fretless well is being able to hear yourself.

With it out you will hear yourself more clearly in a group environment.

 

The first Fretless I ever played was a Breedlove Atlas and I remember being really impressed with the quality. Enjoy!