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cheap but decent fretless bass

P

PsychoScout

Mar 18, 2008
316
2
Belgium
#1
Ok, here's the deal, I play the DB since two years, but from time to time a BG would be more "convenient". (plus, for some music, a bass guitar just fits better)

I'm looking into the low end of fretless bass guitars, but don't find a lot.

Right now I'm these are some possibilities:

Invalid Link Removed (Vintage Icon)

and the other option is a fretless squier j-bass:

Invalid Link Removed

Any reflections on the subject? I don't know anything about bass guitars to be honest, but I do know I want a fretless one :)
 
#7
kesslari said:
The Squier VM Fretless you show gets rave reviews here as tremendous bass for the buck.
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I tried one a few weeks back while looking for a decent analog chorus, it was really nice, sounded great for the price, I'm getting a bass defretted at the moment but if I was looking for a cheap /decent fretless, I'd start there.
 
#11
The store I went to didn't have any in stock, they only had the fender j-bass (surprising how many basses they had, and just one fretless)

They ordered a squier fretless j-bass, will be there on wednesday, can't wait to try it :cool:

btw: could you guys give me some type of fretless basses that are unlined... it doesn't make much difference practically speaking, but in general I find them more "pretty" (yes, I'm a girl)
 
#13
Darkstrike said:
Total agreement, fantastic value, easy playability, great tone, and pretty light.
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+1. Goes for all instruments from that series in my experience.

I have a VM P and man is it light. My MiM P seems to weigh a ton in comparison lol.

PsychoScout said:
It's strange, but I just can't seem to get the hang of those frets, fretless feels more "natural" to me
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I know what you mean. I feel the same and it becomes really apparent if you play a fretless and then switch to a fretted right after... feels kinda awkward lol.
 
#14
Nashrakh said:
+1. Goes for all instruments from that series in my experience.

I have a VM P and man is it light. My MiM P seems to weigh a ton in comparison lol.
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Except for the VM Jazz fretted.

Oh, it has everything listed going for it(tone, looks, feel), but weight, solid maple is pretty dang heavy. :D Still, far from too heavy to give me gas!
 
#18
I would say try the Vintage. I own a couple of Vintage basses and have played the Squier a few times in shops. I have not tried the Vintage Icon fretless but Vintage finish their necks really really nicely not the thick aged poly stuff. Also a lot of their stuff has Wilkinson Hardware such as bridges and pickups which are definitely superior to stock Squier stuff.

Vintage is not readily available in the USA, so do not expect a lot of backing from US posters in this thread, that is all. However if you can source them close to home try one and you will be surprised.
 
#20
Meddle said:
I would say try the Vintage. I own a couple of Vintage basses and have played the Squier a few times in shops. I have not tried the Vintage Icon fretless but Vintage finish their necks really really nicely not the thick aged poly stuff. Also a lot of their stuff has Wilkinson Hardware such as bridges and pickups which are definitely superior to stock Squier stuff.
Click to expand...

too bad it's so darn ugly :( (same goes for the Cort Curbow... in black it's still rather ok, but in other colours it's just plain wrong :D, but I must say it has the advantage of being unlined)
 

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