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I'm stuck! I need a 5 string fretless...

Lorenzop

Lorenzop

Oct 23, 2012
258
5
Berlin
#1
...with massive Mwwwaaah !

I'm not sure where to look. Should cost less than 1000 ( used probably would be nice).

I can't decide if classic Fender tone ( dark and full but the mwwahhh isnt as massive sustain as other models I've heard IMHO) or another make. I don't like a flat wound/ upright kind of mwwahhh (v short sustain) had to be at least classic Jaco or longer ! :)
Neck through could be nice.

Any suggestions? Im prepared also to get smth defretted .
Cheers!
 
#12
Jazz Ad said:
I've yet to meet a fretless that doesn't produce more mwah than anyone could bear with. Any can do it, really.
Click to expand...

As we say here on the west side of The Big Pond, "Bingo!", dude. :smug:

Although there are differences in construction, materials & electronics that all have a bearing on mwah, the quality of the setup is by far the most important factor.

MM
 
#13
esa372 said:
+1

I'm not sure that you can find one for <$1,000, though...
Click to expand...

As Lorenzpop claims to be from "Berlin" (I'm guessing that means Berlin, Germany - not Berlin, Wisconsin :smug:), presumably he meant that his budget is 1,000 Euros - not 1,000 dollars...although it's only a guess, as he wasn't exactly very precise on that point.

One thousand Euros would be a larger budget than 1,000 dollars - but not by much... :hmm:

MM
 
#14
MysticMichael said:
As we say here on the west side of The Big Pond, "Bingo!", dude. :smug:

Although there are differences in construction, materials & electronics that all have a bearing on mwah, the quality of the setup is by far the most important factor.

MM
Click to expand...

Setup and eq
....I think action is the key setup parameter but neck bow tweaking could explore the handoff between mwah and buzz. I have found very little info on fretless setup especially relating to mwah sustain.
 
#15
"I'm stuck" made me think you had a show tonight and a gunpoint request that you play fretless. It sounds like you enjoy the luxury of having a pile of cash and shopping to do. Play them all, take your time! Don't defret unless you just have to have a certain bass that isn't available without frets.
 
#19
MysticMichael said:
As we say here on the west side of The Big Pond, "Bingo!", dude. :smug:

Although there are differences in construction, materials & electronics that all have a bearing on mwah, the quality of the setup is by far the most important factor.

MM
Click to expand...

Actually, the hardness of the fingerboard is the main factor in getting a good mwah. The harder the better; an epoxied wood board or one just slap made of a hard plastic will give the most whine. Eg. the Pedulla Buzz basses or a good DIY defret with a hard resin finish on it, will give a really good Mark Egan FL tone.

Unfinished woods will reduce it. Ebony is still hard enough to provide a decent muah, but nothing like a hard plastic board. And something like rosewood will reduce it even more.

You can -ish do it with technique also, plucking gently closer to the neck or even over the heel. And a low action will help a little bit too.

But far and away it's the fingerboard material above everything else.

LS
 

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