High-End Production Fretless Basses?

[Funky President]

I've recently been looking at getting myself a good fretless bass, buy since I don't know enough about different woods and things to put the money into a custom bass I figured I'd defer to you guys!

Does anyone know of any high-end production fretless basses for around 3,000$?

I'd be looking for something with preferably 5 or 6 strings that can get me a good variety of tones (anywhere from a smooth, singing quality like Bakithi Kumalo to Jaco's sound if possible) but aside from that I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[ehque]

If you're looking to spend so much dough, why go production?

Zon Vinny 6s come under $3000 and will probably blow any production instrument away. You don't need to "know about woods", the standard swamp-ash + composite mix works fine, and most other builders would have woods they are more comfortable working with...

Zon fretlii are considered by some to be the best fretlii of all.

 

[cnltb]

The ibanez willis bass is real nice if it's that particular tone you like.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The Steve Bailey fretless Jazz Six by Fender would be a great choice as would be a Fender Tony Franklin Precision, but that bass is a four.

A less expensive option would be to order a fretless G&L L-2500 or L-1500. I ordered a fretless L-1500, and I really regret letting that one go!

Finally, a 55-94 would be a great choice for fretless too.

 

[Darkstrike]

Roscoe Century Standard 5, with a diamondwood fingerboard, or a Century Standard Plus.

http://www.rocketmusic.net/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=2958

Here's a standard, a Plus model, which will have a figured top, and has birdseye diamondwood as an option will be a few hundred more.

Thats what I'd do, but I'm a fan of Roscoes, and utterly love my fretless 5 by them.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

If you're willing to go used, $3000 can get you almost any brand of fretless you want. Fretless usually takes a pretty big hit on resale.