Gig-worthy Fretless 5, Under $1000?

[Leaviathan]

I gigged with my Brice, that cost me less than $300, yes I coated the board with marine epoxy but it worked well without it. I just wanted to give it more muah.

 

[Bill Staudt]

The Gary Willis Ibanez is a pretty unique bass. Single pickup, tight string spacing, two band eq, ramp. Are these the things you're after? Any reasons not to get it?

 

[Geri O]

do you have a recommendation or are you here to be difficult?

Do you have an actual question or are you here to be contrary?

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Can it be a 4?

Seen new Spector cores for about 1.2 K

 

[lowendmafia]

yeah, it's my thread.

Do you have an actual question or are you here to be contrary?

 

[Les Fret]

I would suggest the GWB or maybe a Yamaha fretless 5. Or maybe defret a Yamaha BB.

 

[skyline_01]

From the TB classifieds (no, I'm not selling it):

For Sale - Fretless 5 String Bass + extra Fretted neck

 

[tylerwylie]

Save up and get a GWB205.

 

[lowendmafia]

That's what I've been looking at, that, the 20th anniversary one, or if I could find an old GW-1 Japan built.

Save up and get a GWB205.

 

[lowendmafia]

No real reason not to get it. I'm just looking for other ideas before I make a decision. I don't play a ton of fretless bass so I thought I might get some good fretless player advice on here.

The Gary Willis Ibanez is a pretty unique bass. Single pickup, tight string spacing, two band eq, ramp. Are these the things you're after? Any reasons not to get it?

 

[BargeOn]

ESP now has a Bunny Brunel model, nearly identical to the Carvin model with Aguilar pickups and preamp.

ESP Ltd BB-1005 Fretless Bunny Brunel Signature 2019 See Thru Orange Burnt

I'd say that's "gigable" for sure!!!

That Bunny has a coated board, one of the few production basses that does. I'd love to get my hands on one.

 

[Rojd]

Ibanez BTB845F 5-string Fretless

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Godin A5 Ultra Fretless. If you intend to buy new then it's over your $1000 budget, but they can be found used for less.

 

[bordinco90]

For your price range, the Ibanez Portamento comes to mind.

 

[lowendmafia]

didn't realize this came in fretless!

View attachment 3700942

Ibanez BTB845F 5-string Fretless

 

[Altitude]

I play Skjolds as well, and I think the GWB is the right call. It even looks a little like a Gen series.

Stingrays sound great fretless too, for many of the same reasons - similar pickup placement and electronics approach.

 

[fcleff]

Or maybe defret a Yamaha BB.

Seems like a good call.

 

[Anaxiom]

Used Kiesels often pop up for around that much. I've even seen a few with the epoxied fretboards for sub-$1,000 on Reverb.

 

[Rojd]

Ibanez GWB35 Gary Willis Signature Fretless 5-String

 

[lowendmafia]

Thanks man, I really like the GW and Stingrays and I guess if I'm playing fretless I'm going to rely primarily on that bridge PU anyway. That ramp is a big plus for me also.

I play Skjolds as well, and I think the GWB is the right call. It even looks a little like a Gen series.

Stingrays sound great fretless too, for many of the same reasons - similar pickup placement and electronics approach.