• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Glarry: a really cheap way to get into unlined fretless?

If you don't mind the wait, Harley Benton have 4 and 5 string fretless acoustic basses that play great.
Invalid Link Removed
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Dots are exact. I recommend the 4 string as I think the B string on the 5 is weak. (I own them both). Their fretless J bass is stupid cheap too. Down side is the wait.
Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst – Thomann United States
Harley Benton JB-75FL SB Vintage Series – Thomann United States

How long did it take for your Harley Benton to arrive? In a video about an amp, the man said it took almost a month.
 
My Squier with the ebonal was really good.
My fretless basses: Godin SA; Squier VM J bass; both Harley-Bentons mentioned above; and a cheap Vesper upgraded with Quarter Pounders.

Mine is the newer model without ebonol. It played good in the store, but the fret markers slipped out and it buzzes in the upper register even after being planed, therefore, I have the keep the action quite high. My fretless short scale SX P-bass is a far better playing instrument even though is does not have that Jazz Bass brightness.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CatchaCuda
Mine is the newer model without ebonol. It played good in the store, but the fret markers slipped out and it buzzes in the upper register even after being planed, therefore, I have the keep the action quite high. My fretless short scale SX P-bass is a far better playing instrument even though is does not have that Jazz Bass brightness.
What is the board material of your Squier, Doc, pau ferro? Some guys have good experiences with the cheapo fretless (China) necks found on ebay.

I think it's odd that Glarry offers a fretless P but no J :facepalm:
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA
Mine is the newer model without ebonol. It played good in the store, but the fret markers slipped out and it buzzes in the upper register even after being planed, therefore, I have the keep the action quite high. My fretless short scale SX P-bass is a far better playing instrument even though is does not have that Jazz Bass brightness.
I assume that if you had the fingerboard planed they must have checked out your truss rod adjustment first? I'm old enough to remember when a cheap bass was really bad. Though any bass can be improved, I've had very good luck with the cheapos I have. Minor truss rod adjustments, string length adjustment and that thing with the dots on the Glarry fretless.
 
I assume that if you had the fingerboard planed they must have checked out your truss rod adjustment first? I'm old enough to remember when a cheap bass was really bad. Though any bass can be improved, I've had very good luck with the cheapos I have. Minor truss rod adjustments, string length adjustment and that thing with the dots on the Glarry fretless.

I have checked out everything. The bass is a lemon.
 
What is the board material of your Squier, Doc, pau ferro? Some guys have good experiences with the cheapo fretless (China) necks found on ebay.

I think it's odd that Glarry offers a fretless P but no J :facepalm:
My first decent bass was a fretless Fender Precision. It was fantastic. The squier fretless p is great.

It's much better to begin with fretless as it requires you to play in position. I agree with Jaco when he said fretted bass is harder. When you begin with a fretted bass, your intonation is determined by the frets allowing you to get away with technique that just won't translate to fretless. Much harder to unlearn than learn. Though he began with upright bass, James Jamerson was told not to bring back a fretless bass to Motown.
 
How long did it take for your Harley Benton to arrive? In a video about an amp, the man said it took almost a month.
It took a while, but I ordered a bunch of stuff. Shipping rate is a flat 30 euros ($35?). I think they wait until they can fill up one of those huge shipping containers. In addition, the Corona virus is causing further delays on all international packages, so be prepared to wait.
 
Those Harley Benton Jazz prices are great. I have been disappointed with fingerboard issues I have had with my Squier Fretless Jazz.
I've heard good things about the HB jazz fretless models. I've nearly ordered one before, but I see some people saying they got true boat anchors, and I can't abide heavy basses. Unfortunately this limits me to places like Sweetwater, that list weights, or trying them in person, which can't happen with the HBs (or with anything right now, anyway).
 
5C7B1F25-70FF-47DF-9C7A-85362B3D066E.jpeg
Oh, my profile pic? Yeah, that's my daughter a few years ago. She's 12 now. She has a nylon string classical, a seafoam Squier Bullet Strat with Fender Champ 25 amp and a Black Mikro with a Rumble 100 (Limited Edition Gray Tolex-her choice.) She knows the Fender color chart better than most.

That's my pride and joy-only child and 47 when I had her. She'll be in 7th grade next year -no idea how school will be.

Long answer to a short question. This is the kid in the tie dye just last week. Where does the time go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-Mac and JRA
View attachment 3881607 Oh, my profile pic? Yeah, that's my daughter a few years ago. She's 12 now. She has a nylon string classical, a seafoam Squier Bullet Strat with Fender Champ 25 amp and a Black Mikro with a Rumble 100 (Limited Edition Gray Tolex-her choice.) She knows the Fender color chart better than most.

That's my pride and joy-only child and 47 when I had her. She'll be in 7th grade next year -no idea how school will be.

Long answer to a short question. This is the kid in the tie dye just last week. Where does the time go.
Sorry for the mistake.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TN WOODMAN
The slots in the notched straight edge are spaced to fit over the frets so you can check the straightness of a fretted bass. So you line it up against the E string of your fretless and mark the spaces of the tool with a pencil. Cover the wrong dots with a marker. I applied classical guitar dots to the pencil marks. 5 minutes. The new dots are perfect. Use the 34 inch side.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DCJ9DCW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009N3VDBA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the info. I might be looking into one of these fretless Glarry basses as well.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
  • Like
Reactions: JRA
I'm trying to remember the the name of the company that makes good inexpensive replacement necks (Rondo maybe?) I'm sure someone on this forum would know. Yeah, they're cheap because they make so many and a dud can definitely slip between the cracks.
Mighty Mite makes a good ebonol unlined fretless P neck. It's a P, but it's a slim P, at 41mm (1.615", vs the usual 1.625" on modern P's). For some reason, sites like Musician's Friend list an incorrect and wider nut width, but I confirmed with Mighty Mite before buying mine that it's 41mm like they say on their own site.

The edges of the fingerboard are very abrupt and sharp, but mine rounded down with fine sandpaper pretty easily. Had to then polish out the places where I had scratched the mirror-finish ebonol on the fingerboard, though, but that's easy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA