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Fretless deal: Bid or not?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by ameli, Jul 10, 2003.

  1. Jul 10, 2003 #1
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    OK... I'm thinking of getting this as my first fretless. What do you guys think?

    http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2544148663&category=4713

    Emailed the seller and he said that the bass is in good condition and hardly played. The price is such a killer too. However, I don't know what kind of tone quality or characteristics to expect out of a BB400, since I never played one all my life.

    Decisions, decisions.
     
  2. Jul 10, 2003 #2
    eljuapo

    eljuapo

    Mar 13, 2003
    Just to the left of the pocket
    Um...personally, I'd skip it. Since it had the frets removed I'd wonder how well it was done, until you see it you can't really know. If I were going to get a "first" fretless in that price range I'd probably pick up a Brice or SX from rondo.

    JMPO (Just My Personal Opinion)
     
  3. Jul 10, 2003 #3
    Ben Mishler

    Ben Mishler

    Jan 22, 2003
    San Jose
    I would wait for another deal to come along if I were you.
     
  4. Jul 10, 2003 #4
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    Since the bass is a fretless convert, Is that likely to be a problem? Or is it because it's a BB400?

    I asked the guy and he said that the fretboard is in OK condition. Anyway... I'm willing to refinish the fretboard but I reckon it's gonna cost me about the same as the bass ^^ Umm.. and he also added that the fretless conversion is done in a reputable music shop.

    I know it's better to buy a designated fretless rather than a conversion.. but the problem is the price tag for a new fretless... and also it's hard to get a decent used one here in Melbourne for below $600 US.

    Guess I have to shop around a bit more?
     
  5. Jul 10, 2003 #5
    CmdrSmirnoff

    CmdrSmirnoff

    Jun 1, 2003
    Mississauga, Canadia
    Is it just me, or can you not see the bottom of the body (including the bridge) in any of the pictures? It's 20 years old, for all you know all of the components could be rusted or something.
     
  6. Jul 10, 2003 #6
    furiously funky

    furiously funky Guest

    Dec 28, 2002
    Toronto
    i would pass. if you were hoping for a traditional jaco type sould you wouldnt get it out of that P pup. id wait on it, and snag one that you could be sure was of a high quality for the price
     
  7. Jul 13, 2003 #7
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    I see.. P style is not so good for fretless, is it?

    Still thinking whether I should bid or not. I don't have much money and just want something to learn fretless on.
     
  8. Jul 13, 2003 #8
    Bryan R. Tyler

    Bryan R. Tyler TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002 Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    May 3, 2002
    Connecticut
    Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
    Pass. You'd be better off buying a fretted bass and having it defretted than trusting someone else's defret job, or just wait for a regular fretless to show up.
     
  9. Oct 12, 2003 #9
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    Hi guys, thanks for all your advice! Just a bit of update from me...

    3 months on, and I have just bought a brand new RBX270 Fretless (got a great price deal on it too on $200 off)

    Would replace the bridge with something else, and the stock roundwounds with flatwounds but it's a great affordable starter fretless as everyone has said :)

    I think it's just a matter of time to find that bass you need with the price you want : )
     
  10. Oct 12, 2003 #10
    unharmed

    unharmed Iron Fishes

    May 19, 2003
    London, England
    Great news, Ameli. Still looking for mine :(. Can't beat the price on those RBX's though. Where did you pick yours up from?
     
  11. Oct 12, 2003 #11
    ameli

    ameli

    Nov 21, 2000
    in front of computer
    It's on the <A HREF="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=93341&pagenumber=2">other thread</A>...hehehe