Second thing I noticed. What bonehead decided to put face dots on the board that are 1/4 tone flat. They took the time to get the side dots right.
Jeez
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Does anyone have one of these? ...seriously considering....
- Thread starter misterCRUSH
- Start date
Second thing I noticed. What bonehead decided to put face dots on the board that are 1/4 tone flat. They took the time to get the side dots right.
Jeez
I've never owned/played it, just a totally objective comment based on the marker positioning. However, I do prefer a naked board, so the dark lines would work for me. And, as mentioned, I like the fact that they put the side dots in the correct locations, which is not often seen on the factory lined fretless.
Going from memory here so I'll defer to anyone that owns one, but the lines were either a dark inlay or other filling material typically found at that price that I had no issue seeing against the color of the board...in a well lit room. YMMV when the lights dim.
The more I think about it, it makes sense why the surface dots are in the "traditional" area if you assume they run the fretted and fretless necks from the same production line. But then they took the extra effort to re-position the side dots, so who knows.
Again, small picky issue on an otherwise good item, IMHO
Can't really see the fretboard from my normal playing position. I use the side dots if I need to check my position and go by ear. The position dots on the fretboard are invisible to me when I play.
I bought one for my son who plays upright. Great feeling neck, lightweight, comfortable, plenty of output. No regrets at all. Go for it!
I have one....bought it a little over a year ago. I'm really happy with it. In my case I was looking for a woody fretless tone, as similar to an upright as I could get while still leaving some margin of fretless electric tonal options. And it does it very well.
WHen I want the upright sound I just tuck a piece of foam under the strings in front of the saddles, roll off the tone, and finger pick up near the neck. Remove the foam, roll the tone back up and pick farther back towards the bridge and you're there.
It's light weight and, running thru my V4B anniversary rig, sounds perfect for the music we play. Slim, easy to play neck & fretboard.
I got the fretless model last Oct, 2019. And liked it so much I bought the fretted model a month later. And have been using both for gigs and on the latest album project I've been working on during the shutdown.
BTW: I waited a long time for SW to ship one to me and finally gave up after two months, canceled the order and ordered thru ZZ and had it two day later. TEN months later I got an email from SW saying they finally had them in stock and ready to ship.
I got the 2nd fretted on from ZZ as well...had it in two days. No flaws, set up perfectly, ready to play.
For the price, it's a really great bass.
WHen I want the upright sound I just tuck a piece of foam under the strings in front of the saddles, roll off the tone, and finger pick up near the neck. Remove the foam, roll the tone back up and pick farther back towards the bridge and you're there.
It's light weight and, running thru my V4B anniversary rig, sounds perfect for the music we play. Slim, easy to play neck & fretboard.
I got the fretless model last Oct, 2019. And liked it so much I bought the fretted model a month later. And have been using both for gigs and on the latest album project I've been working on during the shutdown.
BTW: I waited a long time for SW to ship one to me and finally gave up after two months, canceled the order and ordered thru ZZ and had it two day later. TEN months later I got an email from SW saying they finally had them in stock and ready to ship.
I got the 2nd fretted on from ZZ as well...had it in two days. No flaws, set up perfectly, ready to play.
For the price, it's a really great bass.
I got the fretless four string in early 2019. I've had a lot of basses, including an upright. I jam jazz and gig jazz. This Ibanez was an attempt to get as close to an upright sound as possible, and they succeed. You need to pluck the strings the right way but it's doable. Beats carrying around a URB and paying the luthier every year to maintain your bass. I love the slim neck and the two octaves. Honestly, this bass makes me a better player. The lines and dots aren't a big deal, just play it and you'll get used to it. I didn't adjust anything out of the box, although the instructions for the piezo levels are on the website. It's alight, very well made bass. Ibanez makes good basses! I can't stand the wood colour on the front. I wish it were a darker more uprighty colour but hey, it's about the sound, right? My other fretless is a 2010 Squier VM fretless (the Jaco bass) and it is an amazing instrument as well. I think this Ibanez is a keeper!
I've played them in stores, and if I had a spare $1000 (Canadian) I'd get one--or if I gigged or recorded, I'd have worked out a way to buy one.
But as I play at home for fun, or sometimes in church (Which hasn't been much with Covid & all that) it doesn't make sense for me to spend that much on a bass given my income & that I already have a fretless bass--even though it's different (SR500F-so almost the same designation, but a different bass for sure)
But as I play at home for fun, or sometimes in church (Which hasn't been much with Covid & all that) it doesn't make sense for me to spend that much on a bass given my income & that I already have a fretless bass--even though it's different (SR500F-so almost the same designation, but a different bass for sure)
Thanks!! I have this on my Christmas list, and am going to get it one way or another. I too am a jazz player, always have been since I was a kid.
Cool! I can dig out a video if you like and you can hear it being played with some great musicians.
That would be absolutely fantastic!! I have only found one video of this bass being played in a group!
I do own this bass and I like it for many reasons. Using it to mainly play jazz. Default chrome strings? No so sure. Just having the need to experiment with strings after playing this great bass awhile. This is my idea of how the bass needs to sound and I just ordered some La Bella tapewounds and will do the foam strip on bridge thing as he stated this is what he is playing with. Not really looking for mwh. Looking for a nice upright like sound.
Last edited:
I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...I don't need another bass...
That's a great video thanks!! I have plenty of mwah with my other fretlesses...looking for an upright sound myself. thanks again!
Yes that is a great video. I can't believe he never showed up in my searches, his videos are 1-2 years old! Maybe I'll try some tapewounds..
