• 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 newbie

bcoomes

bcoomes

Feb 6, 2014
479
162
Louisville, KY
#1
Hey gang,
My 10 year wedding anniversary is in October and the wife has said I have $400 to do with what I wish. I'm thinking about getting a fretless. I've only ever played around with them in stores, so I'm really not too familiar with them. I know I need fret markers (training wheels) and I would prefer passive pups. I'm open to 5 strings (even though I've never owned a 5 string - hey, if I'm going to venture into new territory, why not go all the way?). I'm open to new or used (leaning toward used).

Remember - $400 budget.

Help me out fretless friends.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maestrovert
#3
Hi bcoomes,
No need to feel alone. I just felt that your request was a little vague, other than price. What is your musical style? Where do you lean in terms of bass designs? A Leo guy? An Ibby guy? I looked at your profile and see you play a Fender P. My advice is to go back to the stores and play some more basses in your price range. As a fretless player, I know that not many are hanging on the walls. Another idea is to go to the classifieds here and plug in fretless to the search. There is s sweet Squier VM jazz listed, and even better, an American Peavey for $250 shipped! That would go well with all of that Peavey gear you play through. I'm sure more TBers will chime in today. Some of these musicians don't get up until noon!
 
#4
I was just joking. Sorry if I was vague, I'm just really open to all kinds of suggestions. You're right about the lack of fretless basses to try out in the stores - I think they have one at the GC near my house. I've been scouring the classifieds here - most of the really good looking basses are out my current price range. I think my two obvious choices are the Squier Mod P's and Jazz's and that might be the route I take, but I'd like to really explore my options. I play kind of weird experimental stuff with lots of pedals. I think a fretless would be a nice change of pace on some of our more ambient tunes.
 
#5
I'm no expert in bass prices value etc, I'm also not a fretless player...but I read from some fretless bass players here that actually fret markers (line?) isn't too important, it's not like what some non fretless players thought of them at the start of any fretless bass.
Speaking of that,.. I always thought lineless fretless bass is cool, especially the Fender Precision unlined maple neck fretless bass. But I know it's far more from your budget, sorry.. I wish somebody have the best answer for you.

d0020147_9153888.jpg

far more than $400 I think, but cool, eh? :D

(not mine, picture grabbed from Fender Forum while googling)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth and lakefx
#9
Skokiaan said:
Not on a sealed fingerboard it won't. I've played hundreds of gigs on my fretless over 12 years and have zero fingerboard damage. I never use flats.
Click to expand...
Agree (from what of many fretless players opinions I ever heard)..
But it surely possible to happen anyway, after some long time (IDK how long)

DSCF1311.jpg


IMG_0691.jpg

Even one which has 'guards'...the 'guards' can't protect them some time at last :D
 
Last edited:
#12
Nope, the VM fretless Squiers have a fingerboard made of a composite called ebonol. It gets marks, all boards, sealed included, get marks and ghost impressions from strings on the board. I use roundwound strings on my fretless every night. Playin heavy music, an my board ain't coated. And I have barely perceptible marks on my board, it's uncoated and is fine. Fretless bass is my fave to play. The VM Squier is an excellent starter bass, can be had fer $200 used, plays and sounds great. That would be my choice, and in fact, I own one. Killer basses without a lot of investment, so you can test the "waters", so to speak.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth, maestrovert and Crazy_Jake
#13
I've never used flats, but I've also never owned a fretless, so maybe I'll give them a try. Who knows, maybe I'll stop playing with a pick (probably not, caring for a one year old does not leave much time for practice). Thanks for advice everyone! Keep the tips coming if you have 'em.
 
#14
I wanna give another thumbs up for the Fretless Squier Jazz - I had tried one out and loved it. For a fretless guitar you can't beat the price. I've added the Squier Fretless Jazz to my GAS list and I'm not a "fretless guy" in general. I hope to pick it up soon but have some other modifications on my current bass that I want to do first....
 
#15
I'll offer the same advice I just offered another fretless noob the other day: Start with the same strings you use on fretted. Why add something else to get used to? Just use the strings you like already. You can always change or taylor your choice of strings down the road. For now, you'll be busy enough just playing in tune.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bluesdogblues
#16
Lo-E said:
I'll offer the same advice I just offered another fretless noob the other day: Start with the same strings you use on fretted. Why add something else to get used to? Just use the strings you like already. You can always change or taylor your choice of strings down the road. For now, you'll be busy enough just playing in tune.
Click to expand...
Agree.. but I also like people who dare to take risk or at least dare to try something new :D
 
#20
Gravedigger Dav said:
I have a Mike Kelly Dragonfly that has serious damage. Either you were lucky or I wasn't.
Click to expand...

I play a Sukop with a sealed wenge fingerboard. Wenge is a very dense wood. The bass came new with round-wounds (as most basses do). I used ground-wounds for a bunch of years then changed to pressure-wounds because I wanted a little brighter tone. I have not noticed any change in the board.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back