Budget Fretless?

[CanadianFunk]

Hey, im in the market for a fretless and I want some tber's opinions on what I should get.

What I'm looking for is a 4 string, unlined (but with side-dots) fretless, for under $500.

Thank you in advance

 

[Radial]

I would suggest that you get a VM Squier, trick it out with a Gotoh bridge and new pickups of your preference, maybe new tuners. Put extra shielding in the electronics compartment to lower the risk of hum. I got one in that condition off classifieds for $300 and it plays and sounds like it's in the $1000 range.

If you really care about it being unlined (there are about 50 threads about that - it's mainly a cosmetic thing, and no disrespect meant if that is an important issue to you) go and buy a Mighty Mite neck for $100.

Even if you buy the bass new you're still under $500 - I would spend the remaining on a nice set of flatwounds - the previous owner of my bass using rounds has the neck so scuffed up I might have to replace it with a MM one, and to me they both sound and feel better on a fretless.

 

[theduke1]

Check out Brice

 

[DaBassman]

SX or Brice at Rondo Music or maybe the Fender Squire Jazz

 

[Jazzcat]

Could this tempt you into a lined fretless?

 

[Joe Nerve]

Buy this...

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...here Amazon.com: Washburn Taurus Series T14FLB Electric Bass: Musical Instruments for $259, and then come back here and tell me whether I should buy one or not. Thanks.

It's purdy.

 

[rodsnhawgs]

watch for a Warwick Corvette Rockbass

 

[snyderz]

Korean RAL. Good shape. $175 shipped.

 

[JonahTheAmazing]

Buy this...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

...here Amazon.com: Washburn Taurus Series T14FLB Electric Bass: Musical Instruments for $259, and then come back here and tell me whether I should buy one or not. Thanks.

It's purdy.

I'm not too sure on my Washburn models, but the level up from the T14/T15 are awesome basses, and if you could find a similar fretless version of one, I bet it would play pretty smooth. If one exists, I believe it would fit in your budget, too. If not, there's this one, which is probably close enough.

 

[XtheDeadPawn]

Ibanez SR300F under $300 don't know if they still make 'em or not.

 

[PBnJBassist]

I second the Squier Vintage Modified fretless with a Gotoh bridge. You can usually buy them used for $175-200 and adding a $40 high mass bridge is icing on the cake and a cheap, drop-in mod.

+2 for what Radical stated about buying a Mighty Mite ebonol unlined fretless board if the lines bother you, or if you need a replacement in case you somehow thrash the ebonol board on the Squier. They also come in both the P or J neck profiles so you can get a chunky P neck on it if you're used to/prefer it.

Maybe go a step further and drop in Noiseless or American Standard pickups into it and you've got a fantastic fretless under $400 after modifications.

 

[darkstorm]

Ibanez sr300 fretless would be my pick. The washburn tauras fretless is new one to me, but diff worth trying if you can.