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Cheap Fretless or build my own neck?

Possum Willy

Possum Willy

Feb 29, 2020
250
210
Thomaston, Ga
Disclosures
I am way worse than I think I am LOL, but I love to play!
#1
As the title indicates, there seems to be at least one cheap fretless (Glarry) on the market or I could build my own fretless neck from a "sacrifice" guitar.
Having never built a neck, I suspect this would be, ah, challenging, but I would pick up more skills in the process.
Pros, Cons, whispers and outright laughter will be appreciated.
 
#3
BigCactus said:
Harley Benton > Glarry for nearly the same price. Nothing beats HB in the budget range.

I might get one soon myself as I'm thinking about getting into fretless but don't wanna sink a ton of money into the exploration
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I couldn't agree more! Besides, as long as the body and neck are of good build, I can always change out the electrics, tuners and bridge. Harley Benton, eh? I'll check that out!
 
#5
BigCactus said:
Harley Benton > Glarry for nearly the same price. Nothing beats HB in the budget range.

I might get one soon myself as I'm thinking about getting into fretless but don't wanna sink a ton of money into the exploration[/QUOTE

When I checked out the Harley Benton Fretless, noticed it had a Black Walnut fretboard, not exactly a long lasting fretboard....
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#12
InkCow said:
A Harley Benton is going to be about twice the price of a Glarry when you add shipping.
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That’s what I was thinking. Lobster always says order multiple basses to make the shipping worth it. I suspect most people who can afford multiple basses from Harley Benton would probably be happier just buying one nicer bass.
 
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#13
Dr. Cheese said:
That’s what I was thinking. Lobster always says order multiple basses to make the shipping worth it. I suspect most people who can afford multiple basses from Harley Benton would probably be happier just buying one nicer bass.
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I could see it if you went into it with a friend or two, but I agree. I don’t really desire to have “extra” basses, so it’s a pretty foreign concept for me to just buy three new basses on the odd chance I might like one.

A pity, too, because I have had my eye on that fretless Beatle bass they have for a while now.
 
#14
InkCow said:
I could see it if you went into it with a friend or two, but I agree. I don’t really desire to have “extra” basses, so it’s a pretty foreign concept for me to just buy three new basses on the odd chance I might like one.

A pity, too, because I have had my eye on that fretless Beatle bass they have for a while now.
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Ever had a Beatle Bass? They have horrible balance. I'm still trying to find a strap that will keep the machine head pointing up when I let go of the neck.
 
#17
Possum Willy said:
Well, the neck is solid and the body small and hollow. I've seen several photos of Paul playing his Bass with more than a few different types of straps. I don't think he ever solved the balance either.
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So I could probably live with this for a $175 fretless, semi hollow, super light and fairly unusual bass, especially since it wouldn’t be my primary fretless and it wouldn’t directly overlap with any of my other basses. Tacking on another 50% in shipping and taxes begins lose a bit of its luster, though.

Anyway, the Glarry is so cheap, that it’s hard to even justify the effort in defretting a cheap FB Marketplace find or something. I can’t wrap my head around how they even can sell their 6 string at a profit.
 
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#18
To qualify my comments on the Beatle Bass, I bought the cheaper Hofner. Beautifully made body and neck, even the electronics aren't horrible.
The balance is the only thing that bumps me out. One evening, after finishing other guitar projects, I'll sit down and work on the balance issue again.
I'm picturing a two piece strap, one that will be around the neck and a second one attaching to the neck and just past the left shoulder that can be adjusted to hold the neck up.
If I get it working, I'll post some pic.
 
#19
InkCow said:
the Glarry is so cheap, that it’s hard to even justify the effort in defretting a cheap FB Marketplace find or something
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if you like (or can tolerate) a chunky neck/feel = a fretless glarry only needs a setup! ;) i haven't heard anyone say that those necks are "unstable." bonus: they have to be the lightest-weight axes out there.

disclosure: i like thinner necks --- all of my glarry-based axes have aftermarket necks.
 
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#20
JRA said:
if you like (or can tolerate) a chunky neck/feel = a fretless glarry only needs a setup! ;) i haven't heard anyone say that those necks are "unstable." bonus: they have to be the lightest-weight axes out there.
Yeah, I'm a huge fan of Ibanez bases simply because of the necks.

disclosure: i like thinner necks --- all of my glarry-based axes have aftermarket necks.
Click to expand...
 
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