First fretless, which one?

[fauxtoe]

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I've had my first fretless for around a week and a half now. I simply cannot put it down. Installed LaBella Deep Talkin' flats and this bass just sings. I've been playing it through a compressor and a phaser and OMG ... the sound is beautiful and haunting. I don't play jazz and will be using this bass for experimental improv with some like-minded cats.

The bass is heavier than it looks. The neck is one of the fastest I've ever played and it feels perfect to my hands. I was considering a Sire, since I already own two, and it played just as well as the ESP, but I went with the old "fell in love with the look" thing. I think this bass is a stunner and, although inexperienced on fretless, I feel comfortable recommending this axe. Not expensive, not cheap. Right at that price point where so many amazing instruments seem to reside these days.

I recommended this bass in my first post on this thread since I have the 5 string version that is absolutely phenomenal. I'm running DR Pure Blues on mine and it just absolutely sings. I may eventually swap to EMG pickups and preamp to get a little more punch out of it, but the factory stuff is more than most will need.

Little secret...if you go to ESP's website you can save some money on their "Player Grade" instruments which have minor cosmetic imperfections. The 4 string model is $479.20 before tax. After they confirmed via email they had a bass, they got it all set up and shipped out to me in one day from their Los Angeles warehouse. B-204SM FRETLESS Click on the Player Grade Available Now button

 

[Sternodox]

I recommended this bass in my first post on this thread since I have the 5 string version that is absolutely phenomenal. I'm running DR Pure Blues on mine and it just absolutely sings. I may eventually swap to EMG pickups and preamp to get a little more punch out of it, but the factory stuff is more than most will need.

Little secret...if you go to ESP's website you can save some money on their "Player Grade" instruments which have minor cosmetic imperfections. The 4 string model is $479.20 before tax. After they confirmed via email they had a bass, they got it all set up and shipped out to me in one day from their Los Angeles warehouse. B-204SM FRETLESS Click on the Player Grade Available Now button

I also wanted more "punch" and knew this bass could deliver loads of it. I found those loads using a Useful Arts Hornet.

 

[fauxtoe]

I also wanted more "punch" and knew this bass could deliver loads of it. I found those loads using a Useful Arts Hornet.

At my last gig I used the Genzler re/Q and added a little more oomph to it.

 

[Sternodox]

At my last gig I used the Genzler re/Q and added a little more oomph to it.

I use the Hornet primarily for amplifying the signal into my DAW from stuff like acoustic guitar or mic-ed percussion or vox. I thought I'd try the bass through it. Whoah!! That thing's going on my board. I'll have to get a second for my desktop.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

If I could do it all over again I'd start with the entry level Ibanez Gary Willis bass.

 

[ADHD librarian]

another/different option if you have an interest: putting together a parts bass can net you a very nice instrument for less than a comparable ax off the rack. for less than $500 USD this one plays superbly, way beyond its price point:
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good luck with your search for a nice fretless!

I'm in the middle of doing just that, my cost is about $A1000 ($US650).
That includes: a NOS Japanese neck (that had never had frets installed), fender noiseless pickups, Hipshot ultralight tuners, grover straplocks, paint for the body and headstock, veneer & CA glue for the fret slots and fretboard, and GOTO or AllParts hardware for most everything else...

That cost doesn't include my time, which has been significant. I attempted to paint an old guitar body a few years ago (and doing that badly has taught me how to do it well this time). But prepping to paint, painting, filling fret slots, coating and polishing the fretboard have all taken time.

I'm just about ready to spray my clear coat & put the decal on my headstock. Then I just need to wait for it to dry before I assemble it. It has been a lot of fun, and if I have done it properly then I will have something better than I could get off the rack, for the money.

 

[JRA]

It has been a lot of fun, and if I have done it properly then I will have something better than I could get off the rack, for the money.

there's definitely the element of fun! it sounds like you've got all the right parts for a superb fretless instrument! good luck with the 'looks' thing coming together for your parts ax!

 

[FullumMusic]

I’m interested in getting a fretless bass, would be my first fretless though I’ve been playing a long time.

Got inspired after putting a set of TI flat wounds on my Geddy Lee bass.

I have some general parameters:

Not too expensive. (??? Whatever that means)
Not too heavy. ( under 9lbs)
Good balance.
Four strings are good.
Lines probably, not necessarily.
Tend to favor Jazz Bass style but not a rule.
Used or new, don’t care.

The Harley Benton are the cheapest bang for buck, but I don’t think I can live with the weight. They seem to be rolling in at 10lbs for the JB models. The price is crazy low though.

On the higher budget side, there are some deals on Jaco signature J-basses and I like the one I played, under 9lbs but it was a scratch and dent for too much money.

Saw a good deal on a fretless 5-string, but I’m not motivated to also take up 5 string at the same time.


Suggestions?

I'm thinking, since it was your Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass with TI flats that inspired you to want to play fretless, seems logical to just go with another Fender Jazz Bass, but fretless.

There's an ocean of great choices out there to overload your brain with. But if you're loving your Jazz with Flats and want essentially that but fretless, just do that. It saves you a lot of decision making headache and removes a lot of uncertainty. Then after you've played it for a while and you get to know your likes & dislikes & needs from a fretless, you can always just sell it and find one that better suits you. But start with what you know you already like and go from there. $0.02

Also, fretless is so much fun! You're gonna love it!

 

[Wyrdlow]

The JB40FL is back ordered for 8-10 weeks. Thomann have an alternate model the JB75FL which is the same with a pick guard. It is routed under the pick guard but is otherwise the same and $10 cheaper, and in stock. Most reports are indicating well over 10lbs as well.

Unfortunately my L2 and L3 disks will not agree to anything over 9lbs anymore.

Yes, if the weight is a deal breaker, then the deal is most definitely broken! Good luck!