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Fretless reccomendations

#41
My first choice would likely be a Godin A4/A5 (preferably the 5, as my biggish hands prefer wider 'boards), but not necessarily the Ultra model, because I really don't think I'd have a use for that whole 13-pin/synth-capability deal.

Admittedly, one of the reasons I'd lean towards that bass is because it's a semi-hollow, but that may not be a factor for you, OP?
 
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#43
ed03 said:
Hey just curious abut what y'all think would be a good fretless bass. My price limit is 2500$ cad. I like the ibanez ehb1005f from demos ive heard but idk you guys tell me what you think
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Check out the Ibanez GWB205. It's a slightly less expensive version of the best fretless bass on the market. They're about $2250CAD through RedOne Music (Quebec) Or Acclaim Sound and Lighting (Sudbury, ON). From the tri-lobed tubers to the ramp to the radiused pickup, there are a TON of innovative features and industry firsts baked into them.
 
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#44
groove pump said:
Agree that there are a lot of terrific options out there considering the budget you're working with. I also recommend trying out whatever you can get your hands on to find "that fit". The truth is in the demo :thumbsup:

One option that might hide in plain sight for you could be a nice Warmoth fretless. In case you spot one for sale nearby that's packed with a lot of attractive parts and features, you might find some enormous bang for your buck from them.

No guarantees, but Warmoth generally produces very good necks an bodies. I ordered a Jazz neck from them several years ago that included the steel reinforcing rods instead of graphite - I didn't mind the heft back when I was closer to my warrior years and that neck was wonderful. The first fretless I ever sampled was a Warmoth 5-string with a maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and active EMG Jazz pickups. Its sound was surreal and my teacher at the time said that it was the warmest sounding bass he'd ever heard. He even borrowed it for one or two gigs.
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Warmoth is an excellent idea and if the OP already owns a Fender style bass he just needs to buy a neck.
 
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#45
This one, for sale on Reverb, I have no affiliation I just think it’s amazing

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#46
Agree with you, the Ibanez EHB1005F looks amazing and would be a great value for that price. This is probably the best choice in this thread so far. If you get a fretless, why limit yourself to 21-22 frets with a FSO when there are so many better and superior options, available to you for that kind of money.
 
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#48
Hands down the best two brands of fretless basses that I've owned and played are Roscoe and Zon. Both have the engineered wood for finger boards (Diamondwood and Phenolwood) and have mwah and growl for days. You can also play round wounds on them (if you like) without damaging the finger boards). You can probably find a used on in the neighborhood of $2500 if you're patient.


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#49
ed03 said:
My price limit is 2500$ cad.
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then the world is your oyster! ;) you don't even have to spend your budget to have a great fretless...hell, get two or three! :laugh:

but your relationship with the neck will be 'enhanced' with a fretless, so you need to be able to rely on the neck feel, overall. if the neck actually feels good to play = you win!

search for an ax with the right neck: it's less about the brand and more about the playing experience. good luck! :thumbsup:
 
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#50
Inverstone said:
I have a Pedulla Hexa Buzz with a hard fingerboard coating and it sings and mwahs all day. A four string should be in the $2,000 or less used. Bartolini pickups. I wish they'd had a 30" scale version and once asked if they'd build me one but...sadly no. I played the Hexa Buzz for an audience of 1,000 once at a festival and it got tons of nice comments.
I may trade for a short scale custom six one day or sell it off, but if 34" is your scale these basses are amazing fretless basses.
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Pedullas are great, but they're out of production. And used ones are scarce.
 
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#51
I've been looking at the basses built by MG Bass recently. I priced out a 4-string MG fretless and it was under $2500. They're worth a look. The builder lives fairly close to me, so I'm going to go up to his shop in a couple of weeks to try out whatever he has on hand.
 
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#53
I was able to snag a used BFR Stingray Fretless in your price range and it makes we wish I was a better bassist every time I pick it up.

I certainly do not miss the Fender Franklin nor Ibanez fretless basses I used to own.
 
#55
MrLenny1 said:
Godin is very nice for the money.
FWIW. If this is your first fretless I would not spend a lot of money
on one. Fretless is quite challenging for intonation & if you don't stay
with it they are hard to sell. Just my 2 cents.
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Hmm, I’ve never had a problem selling a fretless and have sold several over the last 5-6 yrs (Ibanez, NS, Squier, etc.)… guess it depends on what it is.
 

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