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Gig-worthy Fretless 5, Under $1000?
- Thread starter lowendmafia
- Start date
What is you favorite fretted? In my case it's and American P. So I bought another American P, only fretless.
I manage an auto parts store. This reminds me of the people who come in, ask for a good oil filter, then get pissed off when I ask what type of oil they use and what size engine is in the car.
I have a Lakland 55-02 Lined Fretless, it's almost my main bass at this point, because it plays so well and sounds so good. I got it off Reverb for @$1000.00
Man I lot of people seem really bent out of shape about someone just asking for fretless opinions. The OP had plenty of info to help gather a basic sense of what you already like.
I don't play fretless or 5, but I have been thinking of jumping into fretless for a while and was looking forward to the suggestions here. Too bad there's so much chaff mixed in with the wheat.
I don't play fretless or 5, but I have been thinking of jumping into fretless for a while and was looking forward to the suggestions here. Too bad there's so much chaff mixed in with the wheat.
The OP almost immediately copped an attitude when asked for some pretty basic clarification. The people asking for said clarification did not create the myriad details, but the OP chose to complain about the questions rather than answer them.
Like I said, it's like when a customer tells me they need brakes, and I ask whether the vehicle has dual piston calipers or not. The customer frequently gets mad at me, like I designed their stupid car, or made them choose a particular model loaded with options that complicate things.
This is where we will agree to disagree. I saw no attitude in the initial reply. OP said needs to be pro-level, and had already given a specific example of the kinds of basses they play and what they considered a giggable, pro-level bass in their price range. The other person kept pressing it and others decided to jump on.
The best part about all of this is, no matter how many questions are asked, and how many answers are provided, many respondents on here are just going to give their favorites, or suggest things that don't meet the requirements given. That basically a requirement for a TB thread. So, why not just skip the parameter giving?
I answered the first guys question and he didn't like what I said and wanted to turn this into a "you don't need a good bass to gig" type thread. Don't believe me, later on in the thread he told me I need to "seek motivation," not a new bass. As far as your little oil analogy, I gave you the make and model of my car and what I'm looking for in my first several posts. The other problem is that you are probably an actual expert on vehicle maintenance... regardless of all that, I gained a ton of wonderful information from the people here that didn't try to turn this into an argument about what's gigable and what's not.
You're right, it was the second reply where he said, "I knew this was a mistake."
He cited the Gary Willis bass as an example, then added that he didn't want a complete POS. That leaves quite a bit of room for people suggesting most anything between $150 and $1000.
What do giggable and pro-level mean? It'll stay in tune? That's virtually any instrument that's set up properly. A professional would use it on stage? Jack Pearson plays with sub-$100 Squier guitars.
If you look at the threads where people supply the info that those responding ask for, they get pretty good recommendations a lot of the time. If you look at the threads where the OP assumes people are asking questions to annoy them, you get a mess like this.
Sometimes I need more than the make and model of the car to give you what you need. But I do totally get not wanting it to devolve into some other BS. (I apologize, as I'm probably projecting a lot of work crap onto you.)
Now... to answer the question directly, I pay way south of $1000 for my fretless Warwick Corvette. Completely stock, I can't imagine it not being enough bass for anybody to rely on.
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
- 2,730
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
'Pro level fretless' to me means an instrument designed from the ground up as a fretless.
Under/around a grand, The Gary Willis would be the only big brand 5-string option I can think off that you can yank out of a rack at Guitar Center.
Under/around a grand, The Gary Willis would be the only big brand 5-string option I can think off that you can yank out of a rack at Guitar Center.
Thanks, it's all good. But this website literally had to make it an infraction to blast people who like ERBs or other more modern basses, so you get what you get with some people.
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Because to skip that would be to short-circuit the potential advantage of accessing people who know something you don't, and are willing to give their time to give you a relevant leg up. There are numerous other forums devoid of the kind of esoteric detail you often find in answers here, if one is too short of time or attention span to process the range of possible answers one might get here.
I don't play fretless or 5 either, and I also tuned in hoping to learn something. From that perspective, I thought the request for more info from the OP was reasonable and appropriate and the sort of dismissive, snarky response to that was off-putting. I fit more in the category of the auto parts customer who would be thrilled to meet an interested counter person with detailed questions to help me make my purchase. Maybe I came to the wrong store today, so to speak.
Because to skip that would be to short-circuit the potential advantage of accessing people who know something you don't, and are willing to give their time to give you a relevant leg up. There are numerous other forums devoid of the kind of esoteric detail you often find in answers here, if one is too short of time or attention span to process the range of possible answers one might get here.
I don't play fretless or 5 either, and I also tuned in hoping to learn something. From that perspective, I thought the request for more info from the OP was reasonable and appropriate and the sort of dismissive, snarky response to that was off-putting. I fit more in the category of the auto parts customer who would be thrilled to meet an interested counter person with detailed questions to help me make my purchase. Maybe I came to the wrong store today, so to speak.
I've addressed this like 6 times already. If you start saying what you like, someone will tell you you are wrong. Read the thread.
Lowend, you must have the patience of Job......
And I do see you are looking for a fretless that will work in your situation. Best of luck and hope you find what you can enjoy.
I'm not a Pro that is in your class of player, but do gig regularly and been doing so for many decades.
I have several converted fretless basses, including an '82 G&L 2000 (real sweet player), a Gibson LP, and a Korean Spector NS2a. All great players. I did have a custom build Spector USA NS4 done in 2017, built to my order with a 9 1/2" radius fretboard. It is a very sweet player, and goes to gigs for fretless tasks.
Also have an Engelhardt C1 upright and a Dean Pace for other projects.
The problem is that finding fretless basses in many areas of the country is difficult, especially to walk into a outlet and play on one. So I do understand your dilemma. But best of luck in your quest.
And I do see you are looking for a fretless that will work in your situation. Best of luck and hope you find what you can enjoy.
I'm not a Pro that is in your class of player, but do gig regularly and been doing so for many decades.
I have several converted fretless basses, including an '82 G&L 2000 (real sweet player), a Gibson LP, and a Korean Spector NS2a. All great players. I did have a custom build Spector USA NS4 done in 2017, built to my order with a 9 1/2" radius fretboard. It is a very sweet player, and goes to gigs for fretless tasks.
Also have an Engelhardt C1 upright and a Dean Pace for other projects.
The problem is that finding fretless basses in many areas of the country is difficult, especially to walk into a outlet and play on one. So I do understand your dilemma. But best of luck in your quest.
Thanks for responding to my post. I have read the thread and my reaction to it has been consistent throughout, but me and my issue are withholding comment from here on out. Carry on, happy shopping.
