Fretless

[toxi_20]

I have always wanted to try a fretless bass. I have this cheap Ibanez 4 string and have been wondering: is it better for me (who's on a tight budget) to buy a cheap fretless or to convert my cheap bass to fretless?
Thanks in advance guys.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

If you convert a cheap bass into a fretless and you don’t like it, you will have to either convert it back or buy a cheap fretted.
I would suggest buy a cheap fretless and see what happens...a cheap fretless might just play a lot better than a converted cheap bass, since it was made that way to begin with.

 

[toxi_20]

If you convert a cheap bass into a fretless and you don’t like it, you will have to either convert it back or buy a cheap fretted.
I would suggest buy a cheap fretless and see what happens...a cheap fretless might just play a lot better than a converted cheap bass, since it was made that way to begin with.

I have a good five string I use to gig, so if I don't like the fretless one it wouldn't be a huge deal. Still, thanks for the advice!

 

[Watchootognbout]

I don't know where you are located,but the must be a Music-Go-Round near you.
There you may find an inexpensive used fretless to "get acquainted"on.

 

[cholyoke]

Can you find a fretless neck to switch with the fretted neck on the bass you are thinking of converting? If so, getting a different neck is reversible and you can sell the fretless neck if you don't like fretless.

 

[toxi_20]

Can you find a fretless neck to switch with the fretted neck on the bass you are thinking of converting? If so, getting a different neck is reversible and you can sell the fretless neck if you don't like fretless.

Unfortunately I can't find one anywhere.

 

[rickster4003]

Just hunt around the web ebay, amazon. I obtained a "used" Squier vm fretless for $170 with about $20 shipping. The bass looked like it was sent from Fender, it was in perfect shape. With a little sleuthing and patience there are some good deals out there.

 

[MD]

Guess it all depends on the budget.
New SX for ~130.00.
New Glarry for ~90.00.
New can of wood filler + sand paper at Home Depot for ~10.00.
Personally, I dig DIY projects.

 

[bbh]

Buy a used name brand cheap fretless that works well.
If it doesn’t work out, no great loss and should be sellable.
Better yet maybe rent one for a month or 3.

 

[cholyoke]

Unfortunately I can't find one anywhere.

Bummer. The thread on defretting is very useful if you decide to go that route rather than looking for a cheap fretless option like the ones suggested above. I tried a fretless, liked it, but decided to sell the fretless and make my own using a neck I liked. It was totally worth it, but tons of work, mainly due to the cyanoacrylate (super glue) coating on the maple fingerboard.