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Fretless or 5 string?

#23
#1. You can always get the best deals if you buy used. Always keep an eye on classifieds/craigslist in your area. You never know when something will show up at a good bargain. Here are a few new other items:

Do a search in the used section of Guitar Center. Change the dropdown menu to Bass, then set the search criteria to Fretless and set the price range. There are some good prices here.: http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedGear/index.cfm I did a search just now & the result came up with 14 items.
New at MF* - Squier Jazz Fretless 4 $299.99: http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...intage-Modified-Fretless-Jazz-Bass?sku=519637
If you're not set on a "brand name", you can check out the Douglas, Brice or SX (Essex) brands at Rondo music. They are unbelievably inexpensive and actually many TB members have good comments about them. Link Removed

*With MF, search on their site from time to time, because if used ones become available, a "Buy Used" tab will appear next to Buy New.
 
#24
Given the discussion in the thread, I would go with the fretted 5 at this point. The learning time for fretted --> fretless is much greater than for 4 string --> 5 string. If you look hard enough, you might be able to find a decent Carvin 5-string for about $300: their re-sale value is not very great though they are pretty good basses.
 
#26
BluesWalker said:
Given the discussion in the thread, I would go with the fretted 5 at this point. The learning time for fretted --> fretless is much greater than for 4 string --> 5 string. If you look hard enough, you might be able to find a decent Carvin 5-string for about $300: their re-sale value is not very great though they are pretty good basses.
Click to expand...

I think you're right. Funny, I've been looking around at different fretted 5's all afternoon.

Thanks to everyone for their input.
 
#28
Fretless is harder to learn than 5 string. Getting used to the extra string isn't too hard, so even if you get a frettless 5-er, it wouldn't be too much harder than getting a frettles 4 string. I recommend getting the fretless 5, that way you can kill two birds with one stone and save yourself some money in the end, hopefully...plus if you don't like the 5 string or the fretless, then you'll have tried both at once and you can return it and get what you want.
 
#29
I say go for the fretless 5 if you're already in the market for a fretless. The 4-to-5 string jump takes like a week or two to get the hang of...fretless a bit more. I wouldnt think of it as a giant looming challenge to go both at once...because switching from 4 to 5 is really not as hard as its made out to be.

I jumped from 4 to 6 and could play all the same songs on the 6 within 2 weeks, I think I'd been playing for...2 years at that point?
 
#30
Your money amount does limit you to a degree unless you can get one used. That being said, you can get a very decent fretless four string for that amount. The Squier fretless VM has been getting rave reviews here at the site and elsewhere. That would be a good possibility. SX (Essex) has some for a very inexpensive price (about half that amount). Since you are already famliar with the four string, it makes since to me to go with a 4 string fretless. Good luck with your search, and I am sure you will do well whatever you decide to go with.
 
#34
rick0link said:
this is a very good point, but i threw that notion away a long time ago. i play in a thrash/prog/metal band (if that makes sense). a fretted 4 string P bass would be the best fit, but i play a fretless 6 string Carvin. doesn't make much sense, but it works.
Click to expand...

a good notion to throw away. I'm a firm believer in the wrong tool for the right job:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (it's in D btw)

is from this bass:

d5-1.jpg


I can't imagine playing without the B-string or the lack of speedbumps...though I at least do have a fretted bass. Life is short. Try different things to see what moves you.
 
#36
Jaco-izing Your New 5 String

Step 1: purchase a fretted 5

Step 2: play it

Step 3: let passion for a fretless burn

Step 4: defret your bass

Step 5: enjoy the much more improved bass and smaller learning curve : D
 
#37
cmaranhao said:
haha, that is why i posted... can't go wrong with a fiver fretless :)

one more to keep the gas alive :ninja:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

full topic here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629279
Click to expand...

Oh man! That bass is a GASSER! Shame on you for posting it. However, as beautiful as it is, from my experience I wouldn't try to make the jump to 5 and to fretless in one instrument.

Hence the answer is obviously TWO instruments! Such as my SX 5er and my SX fretless. Unfortunately pickings are kinda slim over at Rondo right now.
 

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