I believe it's just the Squier VM fretless jazz
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Good sounding cheap arsed fretless
- Thread starter smeet
- Start date
I had the mim fretless Jazz and the sbmm ray34cafl. Both were good and affordable. With fretless fingerboard wood, the finish on the fingerboard, and electronics can have a big impact on tone. These two basses both had rosewood boards but the ray34 board was coated and it was an active bass. The jazz had more of what I describe as a more vintag “woody” fretless tone and the ray34cafl had more of a modern fretless tone closer to the ebony board fretlesses I’ve tried like warwick and Roscoe
I don't what you mean by "uber-cool" or why you feel the need to bash my bass. Personally, I find your comment insulting and demeaning. You come off like a real pompous prima-donna arse. I never said it was a work of art. It's a tool (by the primary definition of the word, not the colloquial definition, which I might say might apply to several folks I've made the acquaintance of around here). I've gigged plenty with my lowly $200 Wishbass over the 15 or so years I've had it, never heard a complaint. It's never complained, either. Nary an adjustment needed. It's been loaned out to other bassists, used on recordings by my sons, again with no complaints. It is what it is, raw and unabashed in its simplicity. I know leave you with your regularly scheduled programming...
I have a Squier VM Jazz Fretless. Pretty happy with it, I bought it used for $170. I would recommend looking for one used because maybe some work has been done to it already. I don't have raised lines on mine, nor problems some have had, I don't know if it's because these issues were addressed by the previous owner or it came that way. Great value for the money, Squier VM P Bass is pretty nice too.
Easy there, trigger. I'm a wish bass owner. I think they are awesome for what they are. By uber cool, I meant "very cool". Steve was also instrumental in designing the ovation magnum, which is also Uber cool.
No secret, they do not have the fit and finish of most factory basses. That is the only negative I have to say on them. Not sure why my comment got you worked up so quickly. I suggest a stiff drink, a Xanax, or something in that vein.
I certainly am not disparaging the wish bass brand. That being said, I stand by my recommendation of the Warwick over anything else mentioned considering the OP's budget.
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Killer mutts are always an option, as some have suggested. The Mighty Mite ebonal necks are quite nice, I have one on a modded P. You could probably get a nice fretless lined Carvin for cheap. Hope this helps.
Ibanez portamento is a phenomenal fretless for the money. I'd try and find one used.
Agree with @DiabolusInMusic regarding Squier VM. The plastic fret lines were above the board and caused buzzing on mine. Had to take a radiused sanding block to the board to fix it, which dulled the shine and it never looked the same.
Eventually replaced the whole neck with an unlined Mighy Mite ebonol neck and I was much happier, not just for the quality or look, but it finally allowed me to rely on my ears and not my eyes to judge intonation, but that’s a topic for another thread.
Eventually replaced the whole neck with an unlined Mighy Mite ebonol neck and I was much happier, not just for the quality or look, but it finally allowed me to rely on my ears and not my eyes to judge intonation, but that’s a topic for another thread.
I have a Hamer fretless with 2-Tek bridge. It plays great and does sound very good... But the fretless growling Mwah just isn't there. I Tried a Squire Fretless Jazz a few years ago and it had a great mwah sound unplugged. I went home thought about it then went back and it was gone. I spent a few months looking for another at the local GC and Sam Ash but gave up. Should have bought that sucker. BTW I DO NOT BUY BASSES OR SHOES (and a few other things) ON LINE. I just don't get people who do. Any way another vote for the Squire BUT YOU MUST TRY EACH AND EVERY ONE IN EVERY STORE IN YOUR AREA BEFORE YOU BUY, THE CHEAP ONES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME!
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I have a lined fretless Warmoth neck with Slim Taper Profile and Vintage Tint FOR SALE that I haven't listed yet. Just took some pics this week. I also have a Warmoth P/J P bass body that was going to part out..same deal. All you'd need is tuners and pickups...you could build it exactly how you want it! Warmoth stuff is top notch!
the single coil Peavey T-20 FL can be had cheap and it's at least equal to good Fenders, but the Benton will be my #3 choice (just cos they're so cool) when I nail 2 others IF they still do free shipping when you buy triplets.
If you don’t need to buy now and can watch for used, look for a used Carvin LB series. Ebony fretboard, 24 fret length, neck through build with alder body wings, USA made (if that is a consideration for you), and sounds clear as a piano. I’ve had my LB90F for 30 yrs (I bought it new) and it’s never leaving my possession.
That said, what about this one? Might be a little pricey ($599) but you can probably negotiate...
Carvin LB-20F(?) 1992 Black | My Generation Guitars
I have seen Carvins for under $350 in the last couple of months.
That said, what about this one? Might be a little pricey ($599) but you can probably negotiate...
Carvin LB-20F(?) 1992 Black | My Generation Guitars
I have seen Carvins for under $350 in the last couple of months.
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1) He is better off buying a fretted Warwick, and yanking the frets and filling them if the W route is the way he ends up going. Whatever Pedulla uses on their Buzz fretboards is really good.
2) BYO is a good idea if you aren't sure fretless is for you: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Find a body you find comfy. Shove pickups you can switch from single to humbucker bc you'll end up having to dial in more. Totally optional but worth it.
3) The "mwah" thing is even more testy than the Warwick "grow" or Spector "*** ever". You could look at old vintage Bart preamps made for fretless, they are super barky in a fretted bass bc of the fretless curve. My advice is to get a 3-band preamp that has a useable boost/cut and not worry about hunting down and old -F preamp. I got plenty of "mwah" on a Modulus Q5, Jazz with an ebony board + EMGs, Zon Sonus, etc.
Again it's totally in your hands, as long as you can tweak an expressive tone you like somehow.
We aren't all Manring or Jaco.
Saw this on CL - pretty cheap ($40) if you have some repair skills.
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TCT preamp with add on mids is key, NTMB doesn't have the magic if someone is going to bother going for "the" sound.
Barts + fretless is the combo you used to see on boutique basses.
