• 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.

Fretless acoustic basses

#2
I had a fretless Warwick Alien 6 string for a little bit. I liked it; good projection, nice tone, etc.. For me, I just never played it enough to justify keeping it in the stable. Plus, it had a gigantic body, so it took up a lot more space.

Currently have a Rick Turner Renaissance fretless 5, and while I'm getting used to the 35" scale on it, I like the fact that I can crank the volume on this and not get any feedback from the amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mattsochistic
#5
Very few fretted ABGs can keep up with a single acoustic guitar volume-wise, and fretless acoustics usually have less acoustic volume than the same instrument in fretted.
None can project a low B acoustically hardly at all. The body size physics just don't work. Even full size upright 5 strings struggle to project a low B.

I really love my fretless Godin A4. It's built like a full acoustic, but it's only slightly thicker than a solid body.
Plugged in you can go from a fretless electric sound to a very upright-like sound with minor changes in EQ and right hand position.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bholder
#7
lz4005 said:
Very few fretted ABGs can keep up with a single acoustic guitar volume-wise, and fretless acoustics usually have less acoustic volume than the same instrument in fretted.
None can project a low B acoustically hardly at all. The body size physics just don't work. Even full size upright 5 strings struggle to project a low B.

I really love my fretless Godin A4. It's built like a full acoustic, but it's only slightly thicker than a solid body.
Plugged in you can go from a fretless electric sound to a very upright-like sound with minor changes in EQ and right hand position.
Click to expand...
Yup, size matters. The stories about the Ernie Ball Earthwood are true, I can now vouch for myself. But fretless would subtract a good bit of volume, and even the Earthwood would have trouble with a B. The E is quite thunderous, though, easily loud enough to stand up with most AGs. But you won't find one under a grand - if you do - grab it!
 
#9
Looked at them fretless ABGs recently. Tried an A5 (Godin) - nice bass, but not my cup of tea. Another popular option is Carvin AC50.
The next level would be: Rob Allen. Very nice - probability of finding a used one under 1G is probably nonexistent.
 
#12
MD said:
Breedlove.


Or Boulder Creek.
Click to expand...

Wow. Catching videos on here is like free lessons in what's possible. :) I remember reading about Breedlove years and years ago, have always wanted one. And I have a Boulder Creek 5 fretless, not bad, but I can't make it do that. Maybe I don't have the right strings yet, but I still think I'd rather try a Breedlove.
 
#14
MD said:
^^^
Tapes, they'll squelch the bronze zing and finger noise. Add a little reverb and you're good to go.
I don't think Breedlove makes a 5er.
Click to expand...
I've got black tapes, not really digging them on the Boulder Creek fretless - maybe I don't have them in right, but they get almost "chorus-ey" on fretted notes on the B and E.
 
#16
I've owned two, an older Vantage fretless and a Carvin AC40 Fretless. The Vantage was so-so and really big (= feedback in large volume settings). But the Carvin worked better in higher volume settings and didn't need a sound hole plug. I went through many different kinds of of strings for many years till I found what sounded good on it (to me), a set of Fender tapes. Sounds for all the world like a cross between a fretless bass and an uprite. I would have sold it if those didn't work. I really enjoy playing it now and use the most often out of my six basses.
With the thin body it is worthless as an acoustical use instrument, but oh, what a tone when plugged in.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back