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Gig-worthy Fretless 5, Under $1000?

#61
Gonna join the chorus for Lakland 55-02. You should easily find a good used one for around $1k. If the Ibanez Willis is 35" scale, then fair to think that the 35" Lakland also makes sense. I've been primarily using Lakland fivers over the last few years (or Lakland derivative, like the Carlo in my avatar), and they rock. I've recently purchased a Sadowsky that is changing my game, and will probably be selling some Laklands in the next few weeks (including a good Korean 55-02 fretless), but am not selling my 55-94 fretless, even if it means I'll be hopping between 34" and 35" scales - the axe is just too darned sweet to let it go. Also wanna say that with proper set-up, a good 55-01 (generally with some mods to the electronics) or 55-02 does not give up much to the US-made models, particularly in the gig context. I have a nephew who is touring nationally, using a 55-02 fretted, and he's sounding great. And I'm keeping a modded 55-01 in a remote location, that has been entirely gig-worthy.
 
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#64
Thanks, the GW is actually a 34" scale. I believe the budget model is the GW-3(5 string)

Joebone said:
Gonna join the chorus for Lakland 55-02. You should easily find a good used one for around $1k. If the Ibanez Willis is 35" scale, then fair to think that the 35" Lakland also makes sense. I've been primarily using Lakland fivers over the last few years (or Lakland derivative, like the Carlo in my avatar), and they rock. I've recently purchased a Sadowsky that is changing my game, and will probably be selling some Laklands in the next few weeks (including a good Korean 55-02 fretless), but am not selling my 55-94 fretless, even if it means I'll be hopping between 34" and 35" scales - the axe is just too darned sweet to let it go. Also wanna say that with proper set-up, a good 55-01 (generally with some mods to the electronics) or 55-02 does not give up much to the US-made models, particularly in the gig context. I have a nephew who is touring nationally, using a 55-02 fretted, and he's sounding great. And I'm keeping a modded 55-01 in a remote location, that has been entirely gig-worthy.
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#66
So I own the SRH505F and could probably get away with gigging with it, at the same time it's more a keep at home unique and weird kind of bass in my hands and I'd like a more traditional solid body fretless 5.

Personally, I've been toying with the idea of building a Warmoth deluxe J 5 for the purpose..maybe buying it in pieces so it feels more affordable. Body, then neck. If I wanted to make it more like 2000-2500 I'd likely order a custom Kiesel jazz.

There are so many basses I'd love to get my hands on so I don't know if I'll end up going this route any time soon.. but Warmoth seems my likely candidate for a fretless 5 string around your budget. Might be a tad more once you throw in the hardware, pickups and pre-amp if you choose to go with active electronics.
 
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#68
i picked up a "demo" Spectorcore a few months ago for about $800 with a hardcase at Sweetwater and am very happy with it,I am especially liking the fret line inlays as it's been over 40 years since I last played a fretless.Love the quilted maple top,I've been playing it every week at church with no problems and would wholeheartedly recommend it if you can find one.
 
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#69
I thought about building my own as well, but I just simply don't have the time to do that. My buddy is a Keisel artist and I played a couple of his builds are they are really impressive. I really like their headless stuff.

Matty Koff said:
So I own the SRH505F and could probably get away with gigging with it, at the same time it's more a keep at home unique and weird kind of bass in my hands and I'd like a more traditional solid body fretless 5.

Personally, I've been toying with the idea of building a Warmoth deluxe J 5 for the purpose..maybe buying it in pieces so it feels more affordable. Body, then neck. If I wanted to make it more like 2000-2500 I'd likely order a custom Kiesel jazz.

There are so many basses I'd love to get my hands on so I don't know if I'll end up going this route any time soon.. but Warmoth seems my likely candidate for a fretless 5 string around your budget. Might be a tad more once you throw in the hardware, pickups and pre-amp if you choose to go with active electronics.
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#72
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#74
lowendmafia said:
I thought about building my own as well, but I just simply don't have the time to do that. My buddy is a Keisel artist and I played a couple of his builds are they are really impressive. I really like their headless stuff.
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Yeah, I'd say one would be hard pressed to find a better bang for the buck quality wise for a fretless jazz 5 build though. If there was no rush to have it, finding a loaded jazz V or P body combined with the a custom warmoth neck would be awful yummy though.

Anyway. Good luck with your search. Let us know what you land on.
 
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#76
FugaziBomb said:
Based on some of your responses here to benign questions from people just trying yo help you, I'd venture there are larger things in your life you need to address besides what new bass to buy.
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^ this ^

lowendmafia said:
I appreciate your input in that semi-hollow Ibanez. I know many people who like that bass. However, one thing that is a constant irritation with this board is the questions like this. I'm sorry, not every bass is gigable in a professional environment, nor can any bass hang with super-boutique basses like the Basses I play. Ultimately, these conversations devolve into "Jaco only needed 4" or "P bass with flats" type responses. I'm quite open to hearing about any basses as long as they fit my criteria. I'd happily buy the GW, but now I have lots of potential basses to research.
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Reading this statements as well as your other genuine responses, I can only feel sorry that you are in the environment of having a self confidence out of boutique (or most likely expensive) equipment. For me, any well made and properly setup basses are gig worthy, cause it's all within me, the man behind the bass.

But, I'm not in your shoes. I play bass only for my communities, though it's been 32/33 years now (with a few years of break). This makes me glad I didn't turn into a pro nor in the same position as yours. Though it's kinda contradictory that you've asked this board for a sub thousand dollar bass for having those principles.

Then I could only suggest that you be a pro that is reflected from within you, not from the equipment you bring. Boutique basses are just man made, not some God miracles.
 
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