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Fretless advice please...

B

bassjamm

Mar 22, 2006
154
0
#1
Hi all,

I'm in a bit of a quandry...i really want to get a decent fretless 5 string, but i just can't choose one!! I'd also prefer to go for something that i've heard before, or played, and this limits my choices somewhat.

I'm quite keen on the idea of a fretless F Bass as i already own a fretted one, but the prices of these beasts are really pushing me financially...however, i've seen a few decent fretted BN5s...would it be a good idea to get one and have it de-fretted?

Also, been looking at a Marleaux Constat, Alfonso Itture scroll (although i don't know if this is a good purchase, they don't seem to sell very easily), a custom built Overwater Perception, or maybe a Zon (although i've heard that they're quite hot when it comes to the studio)...

Also, seen a nice looking M Bass, but haven't heard or seen any before.

My basic requirements are as follows...preferabley it'll have fretlines, a ramp would be great, but not a must, and it has to be a great studio bass as this is what it'll be used for mostly...any thoughts/suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks
Jamie

p.s. i'm in the UK so the only ones i can try are the Marleaux, the Overwater, and there's a second hand Alfonso Iturra over here...my budget will be a maximum of $3000...or i could wait a while and save up enough for a fretless Fodera, never played one, but Fodera's seem to rule!!! Thanks, Jam
 
#2
If you're in the UK, you have some good bass luthiers right there that would be worth checking out, before you even go beyond your borders. My first suggestion is that you talk to Jon Shuker:

www.shukerguitars.co.uk

I have three of his instruments and think very highly of them (a couple are featured on his website), and of Jon as someone to work with. Since he is (or at least was) a one-man shop, he can be very flexible in getting you what you need. And his prices are reasonable. You may not have seen his basses before, but there must be somebody not too far from you who carries one or two samples. Failing that, how far away is Sheffield? Maybe you could set up an appointment and visit Jon's shop.

There's also Sei, who make excellent instruments.

www.seibass.com
 
#3
Personally, I think you'd destroy the value of a bass by defretting it, and you'd need to deal with the cost of the defret.

Really, with all of those brands, you can't go wrong. It all depends on the tone you're going for. Those mentioned brands are usually very accomodating to your needs, which is how they get many clients and repeat clients.
 
#4
I purchased my fretless two years ago. I tried Fodera, Sadowsky, Elrick, F Bass, Zon, Music Man, Walrick, Pedula, Roscoe, Alembic, Modulus, Lakland (I think), Fender, MTD and a few others I can't think of right now. These were mostly played in music stores (mostly Bass Central and a few in Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc...) and a few from guys I know who played fretless.

I was able to narrow it down to Roscoe, Zon and F Bass (with Elrick a close 4th). I then narrowed it down to the Roscoe and the Zon. I eventually chose the Roscoe SKB-3005 and am very happy I did. The playablility, tone, feel and even the looks have made me very happy with this bass. I've sold a couple of basses but I will never get rid of this bass. Try a Roscoe fretless. You'll fall in love.

What ever you do. Have fun looking, take your time and play as many basses you can.
 
#7
bryanjnkns said:
You might also consider this dude.

Link Removed
Click to expand...
Those are really nice-looking. I'd never heard of them.

I just tend to think that when cost is an issue (and when is it not?), it makes sense to explore options in your own country, if available. Not that buying imports is bad--not at all--but it can be easy to fall into the assumption that you have to look to goods made elsewhere for real quality. On occasion, however, you can get what you want in your own back yard, conceivably even with greater convenience and at less cost.
 
#8
Richard Lindsey said:
Those are really nice-looking. I'd never heard of them.

I just tend to think that when cost is an issue (and when is it not?), it makes sense to explore options in your own country, if available. Not that buying imports is bad--not at all--but it can be easy to fall into the assumption that you have to look to goods made elsewhere for real quality. On occasion, however, you can get what you want in your own back yard, conceivably even with greater convenience and at less cost.
Click to expand...


Im with you on that. I would much rather find something locally then have it shipped international.

You can also try http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Home/

Both Rim and ACG are members here at talkbass.
 
#10
Thanks for the thoughts guys.

As for what's been said...

Shuker - i've played a few, didn't like them, they sounded too thin and trebly for me, i know it's a case of different electronics, but i just wasn't that fussed on them.

Sei - lovely basses, but the one's i played didn't leave me feeling amazed at all, they were nice, don't get me wrong, but for the £2000 + price they command...there's a lot more to be had

Roscoes / Pedulla - i've found the freltess Roscoe's that i've played to have a weak low B, and flabby almost if you know what i mean...this may have just been the particular bass that i played, but i left a soar taste, same applies for the Pedulla's.

RIM custom Basses - Robbie, the builder is a good mate of mine, but his waiting list is too long for me right now, although, his work is great indeed!!!

Has anyone got any experience with F Bass fretlesses...i'm gravitating towards them as i'm comfortable with my fretted F Bass Studio 5, it's remarkably versitile, has a beautiful low end and plays comfortably. I can't say that the fretless designs particularly grab me all that much, but they're still pretty cool.

Thanks again everyone...would also welcome any links to basses for sale at any shops that you know of.

Thanks
Jamie
 
#11
bassjamm said:
Roscoes / Pedulla - i've found the freltess Roscoe's that i've played to have a weak low B, and flabby almost if you know what i mean...this may have just been the particular bass that i played, but i left a soar taste, same applies for the Pedulla's.
Click to expand...

With all respect, I've played all of the brands mentioned in this Thread and IMO the Roscoe & Pedulla are the top two (maybe add the Zon in there too).
If you played a Roscoe with a weak, almost flabby low "B" it would be the first that I've ever heard off.:) I would rather suspect strings or tuning......or maybe a fingerboard other than diamondwood. You won't find a fretless with more mwah and growl.
 
#13
JOME77 said:
With all respect, I've played all of the brands mentioned in this Thread and IMO the Roscoe & Pedulla are the top two (maybe add the Zon in there too).
If you played a Roscoe with a weak, almost flabby low "B" it would be the first that I've ever heard off.:) I would rather suspect strings or tuning......or maybe a fingerboard other than diamondwood. You won't find a fretless with more mwah and growl.
Click to expand...

It definately had a diamondwood fingerboard...but not to worry.

Has anyone ever A/B'd a Roscoe with an F Bass fretless?
 
#14
You're looking at some expensive basses for a "part time", sort of use when needed bass. If you were a fretless player, meaning that's your sound, those (the high end basses listed in this thread) are great choices.

A Fender Jazz without frets sounds pretty good to me in the right hands. You will have a lot cash left over to upgrade mike pre's or other gear that could make your studio much better sounding.
 
#15
bassjamm said:
It definately had a diamondwood fingerboard...but not to worry.

Has anyone ever A/B'd a Roscoe with an F Bass fretless?
Click to expand...

During my process, I: A, B, C, D, E, etc... these basses:
Roscoe, Zon, F Bass, Elrick, Music Man, Pedula, Warwick

As to the Roscoe B string: It's generally regarded as either the best or one of the best B strings in most threads. I was very surprised to read the comment about the poor quality B string. The 35" scale helps greatly.
 
#16
Dbassmon said:
You're looking at some expensive basses for a "part time", sort of use when needed bass. If you were a fretless player, meaning that's your sound, those (the high end basses listed in this thread) are great choices.

A Fender Jazz without frets sounds pretty good to me in the right hands. You will have a lot cash left over to upgrade mike pre's or other gear that could make your studio much better sounding.
Click to expand...

I appreciate what you're saying here, but i do want to get the right bass. I'm looking to become virtually a fretless bassist to near enough a full on scale, i have the fretted bass in place and it sounds great and is perfect for the funk band i'm in...but the studio band i'm in (Link Removed) would have a much better sound if i were to use a fretless bass, it'd just add such a huge amount...i want the bass to really grasp this void that needs filling, hence the high end choice...

I do appreciate what you're saying though, but the fact is, i want to play more fretless, i don't just want one there for when i need that sound if you get me?
 
#17
Bassmanbob said:
During my process, I: A, B, C, D, E, etc... these basses:
Roscoe, Zon, F Bass, Elrick, Music Man, Pedula, Warwick

As to the Roscoe B string: It's generally regarded as either the best or one of the best B strings in most threads. I was very surprised to read the comment about the poor quality B string. The 35" scale helps greatly.
Click to expand...

I've also heard this...and i know that there is some truth in it...i'm not suggesting that the B sounded bad, it just didn't feel great...in all honesty though, it was a year ago, and i didn't have that much experience with fretless bass then...i did like the bass though!!!

In what ways did the Roscoe stand out for you then? I guess my top 3 at the moment would be the Zon, F Bass (purely as i have a fretted and know they're great, but i don't like the looks of the fretless at all), and probably the Roscoe...but i also have an Alfonso Iturra and a Marleaux constat fretless available to me over here, neither of which if ever played/heard...yet!!!

Thanks
Jam
 
#18
bassjamm said:
I appreciate what you're saying here, but i do want to get the right bass. I'm looking to become virtually a fretless bassist to near enough a full on scale, i have the fretted bass in place and it sounds great and is perfect for the funk band i'm in...but the studio band i'm in (Link Removed) would have a much better sound if i were to use a fretless bass, it'd just add such a huge amount...i want the bass to really grasp this void that needs filling, hence the high end choice...

I do appreciate what you're saying though, but the fact is, i want to play more fretless, i don't just want one there for when i need that sound if you get me?
Click to expand...
If you are thinking in the Fodera price range, I'd suggest that you make sure you see a Jens Ritter first. I tried a whole bunch of different fretless basses, from Pedulla, Modulus, Zon, Eshenbaugh, etc. finally I picked up a Ritter Roya fretless 5. I couldn't put it down. It just blew everything else totally out of my mind. Some of the Ritters are actually within reach price wise and IMO these are the best sounding basses I've heard. I immediately bought it because I've been waiting many years for a better bass. Within a couple of weeks I ordered a fretted one also, to have the choice. If you are looking at the high end, Ritter is working hard to redefine it. Here's a link:[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
He is in Germany. Another interesting luthier in Europe is Johnny Morch in Denmark. I think he was Jens Ritter's inspiration. Morch builds totally custom basses and guitars and has been in the business since 1970.

Not that a fretless Fender doesn't sound good. Guy in Artvandalaya jams on a fretless P and it sounds sweet, too.
 
#19
Well my price range doesn't quite stretch as far as a Fodera...although, i had thought of selling everything i own so that i could buy a Fodera :D But i must say, the Ritters have always looked wicked!!! I'll check them out, although i don't know if my budget ($3000) will accomodate one!
 
#20
bassjamm said:
Well my price range doesn't quite stretch as far as a Fodera...although, i had thought of selling everything i own so that i could buy a Fodera :D But i must say, the Ritters have always looked wicked!!! I'll check them out, although i don't know if my budget ($3000) will accomodate one!
Click to expand...
Well, save a little more up, but some of his simpler styles aren't too far over that. When you were talking about a studio bass, that is one reason I suggested his basses also. The electronics are perfectly silent even when the knob is turned up. You'll forget it's turned on until you bump into it. They record great too. Really nice rounded tone with infinite sustain if you want it. The string scale is 35" on the 5 strings. I had no problems at all switching from a fretted 34" Fender P. The Ritter neck is far more comfortable to me. Even though it is longer, playing seems a lot less work. I can play very long sets on that bass with no fatigue.
 

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