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Looking for a fretless 6

ddhm

ddhm

Mar 18, 2011
543
115
Memphis Tn USA
#1
Howdy guys,
I'm afraid that my G.A.S. has gotten a hold on me. I've been dreaming of a fretless but I'm super picky (imagine a super picky musician... foreign concept, I know). I'm intending on having a custom instrument build in the not too distant future but it's too distant for me to wait lol. I have been looking through the classifieds here and everywhere else... it seems that what I'm looking for is a rare bird.

These are the "must haves":
6 string
fretless
35 inch scale
Transparent or natural finish

These are the "would be nices":
Neck thru
Interesting top
Nice pre/EQ/P'ups

I suppose that I should mention the things I'm not into:
Warwick (I don't like the neck profiles of any of them I've played), painted instruments (because the flaws in the wood are easy to hide), Fender, EBMM (wrong scale) Chinese copies (do I have to even say why?), Washburn Taurus basses didn't feel right, 4 or 5 string basses (I'm a 6'er now... never going back I think) and that about sums it up.

I'd like to stay in the $1500 range (with a little wiggle room either way). Used is more than cool with me. So, what do you fine folks suggest?

Thankee muchly,
Dan
 
#3
ddhm said:
Howdy guys,
I'm afraid that my G.A.S. has gotten a hold on me. I've been dreaming of a fretless but I'm super picky (imagine a super picky musician... foreign concept, I know). I'm intending on having a custom instrument build in the not too distant future but it's too distant for me to wait lol. I have been looking through the classifieds here and everywhere else... it seems that what I'm looking for is a rare bird.

These are the "must haves":
6 string
fretless
35 inch scale
Transparent or natural finish

These are the "would be nices":
Neck thru
Interesting top
Nice pre/EQ/P'ups

I suppose that I should mention the things I'm not into:
Warwick (I don't like the neck profiles of any of them I've played), painted instruments (because the flaws in the wood are easy to hide), Fender, EBMM (wrong scale) Chinese copies (do I have to even say why?), Washburn Taurus basses didn't feel right, 4 or 5 string basses (I'm a 6'er now... never going back I think) and that about sums it up.

I'd like to stay in the $1500 range (with a little wiggle room either way). Used is more than cool with me. So, what do you fine folks suggest?

Thankee muchly,
Dan
Click to expand...

The Carvin XB76 is what you need:
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Note that all of the options you need are no or low cost additions except the top. A special top wood can be an expensive option depending on which wood you choose.
The base price is about $1100, so you could get out of there for quite a ways under your $1500 budget with everything you want.

I have a Bunny 6 FL which is basically the same platform as the XB76 with different sides and the bridge moved towards the neck 1". It's superbly made.

The only drawback will be having to wait for it, but otherwise I'd say it'll fit the bill....

LS
 
#4
@ unclejane:
Carvin is a no go... The bass without much of anything (no top, regular p'ups, ect) was $1400 bucks. For that price, I think I'd rather have a MTD Kingston or something. I can get that new for the same price and without a wait.

I probably should have mentioned that my roomie has a Carvin. I'm fairly unimpressed with it. He got what he wanted mind you... but it doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps it's the 14 inch radius? It also seemed to me to be missing the "love". It's almost as if there were never any songs in it to begin with, ya know? Your mileage may vary lol.

@Arte:
I'd be curious to know which instrument you were looking at. I practically live on the TB classifieds these days. The scale is VERY crucial to me though. My current bass is a 35 and I'd like to stay there. The B feels better to me on a 35.

Thank you both for your input :)

I'm sure that I'll get more bang for my buck by going used and I probably will. If anyone has something that would fit my bill laying around that doesn't get much use, I'd be happy to give it a new home and some bucks for your wallet.

I also posted something similar in the WTB section but it seems that not everyone can read those :(
 
#6
ddhm said:
@ unclejane:
Carvin is a no go... The bass without much of anything (no top, regular p'ups, ect) was $1400 bucks. For that price, I think I'd rather have a MTD Kingston or something. I can get that new for the same price and without a wait.
Click to expand...

With what options if I may ask? I just priced one with Carvin's online configuration tool with unlined FL and a 5 piece all maple neck, everything else standard. It was $1,168 including the case.

I probably should have mentioned that my roomie has a Carvin. I'm fairly unimpressed with it. He got what he wanted mind you... but it doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps it's the 14 inch radius? It also seemed to me to be missing the "love". It's almost as if there were never any songs in it to begin with, ya know? Your mileage may vary lol.
Click to expand...

I love the sound of mine. Even with truly horribly crappy recording methods - playing along with songs through practice amp and iPhone leaning against the grill, it comes out sounding beautiful, at least to me:

https://soundcloud.com/unclejane/bunny6

https://soundcloud.com/unclejane/my-new-compressor

But another option to look at is the Bongo 6. Those things sound absolutely amazing and they're available in lined and unlined FL. They're pricey and ugly as sin, but they're absolutely fantastic instruments. Basscentral has a couple in stock:
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Yeah they're bolt on and a bit out of your price range, but you could play your entire career on one of these.. So anyway, another option to look at.

LS
 
#7
@ MR.Music
Another Spector is certainly a thought. I love my current Euro 6. Fretless are a rarity for sure. Heck, I thought about just defretting my current Euro but my best friend almost slapped me for even talking about that.

Whatever it is that I buy, I hope it is of the same quality of my Spector.

@ Unclejane:

Honestly, I'm not sure the options right this second. I just went to Carvin and built it after you mentioned it. I think that the only thing I wanted was 5 piece walnut/maple neck and the radiused p'ups... perhaps paint too, can't remember. It wasn't much and far less that what I was looking for.


I thought the Bongos were 34 inch scale like all the EBs? They are SOOOOOOO ugly too haha! Also, the price is a big point. I could throw a little more with that much $ and get my full on custom.

Jeez, I'm getting the feeling that I'll just have to wait or give up. I've already bought a bass that was more messed up than a lab rat (and has been returned... thanks Guitar Center fpor selling me a P.o.S.) and almost got another that after a lot of digging seemed to have a broken headstock.

I've been looking for months. Things come close but aren't quite there... I've even shortened my list of "must haves" and still gotten no results. I think I'm just still pissed off at G.C. for screwing me around like that. That situation has left a bad taste in my mouth about this whole deal.
 
#8
ddhm said:
Another Spector is certainly a thought. I love my current Euro 6. Fretless are a rarity for sure.

I thought the Bongos were 34 inch scale like all the EBs?
Click to expand...

Oops, you're right. For some reason I had it in mind that they were 35". Oh well. Yeah not too many other options that I can think of off the top of my head, though I'm sure they're out there somewhere.

LS
 
#10
ddhm said:
I'd be curious to know which instrument you were looking at. I practically live on the TB classifieds these days. The scale is VERY crucial to me though. My current bass is a 35 and I'd like to stay there.
Click to expand...

This One: human-base-fretless-6 but it's 34" and a little over your target.

my 5 is a 34" scale and I like the B just fine, but it's your preference and your money. Good luck.
 
#11
@ Arte
Yeah man, that one is SEKSY! I think you should jump on that one if you like 34s.

I've had a 34 5'er before. It just was a little floppy to me. I'm also currently (and for the last 10 years) playing 35. It seems to me that if I swap scales, it would be much more difficult to keep proper intonation without always looking.

Thanks for wishing me good luck though... I certainly need it.

I just did the math and I've been looking for almost 6 months. I only remembered TB forums in the last 3 though. Right before that, I gave up on finding a ready made instrument and decided to go the custom route. Unfortunately, the luthier I was gonna use had to have major surgery and is down for the count right now. The luthier I am thinking about now doesn't have his shop ready and it will be 2 months before he does. That puts any custom bass out of my hands for at least 6 months I think. I just can't stand that wait I guess.
 
#13
ddhm said:
@ Unclejane:

Honestly, I'm not sure the options right this second. I just went to Carvin and built it after you mentioned it. I think that the only thing I wanted was 5 piece walnut/maple neck and the radiused p'ups... perhaps paint too, can't remember. It wasn't much and far less that what I was looking for.
Click to expand...
Yeah for just that and no other options, you'll be somewhere in the $1200 range all said and done. A total steal for what you actually get, IMO.

But if it doesn't float your boat it doesn't float your boat - a lot of guys actually still don't like the Carvin sound, which is more of a smooth hi-fi type of thing. Even I have to drag out my L2K once in a while when I want things to get kind of rough lol.

I thought the Bongos were 34 inch scale like all the EBs? They are SOOOOOOO ugly too haha! Also, the price is a big point. I could throw a little more with that much $ and get my full on custom.

Jeez, I'm getting the feeling that I'll just have to wait or give up. I've already bought a bass that was more messed up than a lab rat (and has been returned... thanks Guitar Center fpor selling me a P.o.S.) and almost got another that after a lot of digging seemed to have a broken headstock.

I've been looking for months. Things come close but aren't quite there... I've even shortened my list of "must haves" and still gotten no results. I think I'm just still pissed off at G.C. for screwing me around like that. That situation has left a bad taste in my mouth about this whole deal.
Click to expand...

Well, not to plug Carvin again, but you don't get that kind of experience with them. If UPS doesn't destroy it, it's always "OMG" when you open the case and then "OMFG" when you actually plug in.

Apart from that, there's nothing wrong with going full custom if you can't find what you want elsewhere. Tho I don't know much about that since I don't have the hands or talent to justify going that far. And the cost is probably going to go out of your budget, depending.

Another option that comes to mind immediately is Conklin, but that also gets into the budget overrun thing if you go with a custom one. OTOH, you'll have a bass with such stratospheric level quality that it may make you not care about that gigantic hole in your bank account lol.

LS
 
#14
hexbass said:
Save up some more money, and get a 34 1/2" Fbass, best fretless I've ever had!:hyper:
Click to expand...

Hey, look at the used fretless Fbass over at Low End Shop!

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Absolutely gorgeous! I can tell from the pictures that is in the same category as my fretless Alembic 6er (which is 34" scale and thus, out of the question)

However, like many sellers, information is scant. Not sure if it's 35" and they don't bother with the price. Hey, if you have to ask, you shouldn't own it! Anyway, their time is valuable and yours isn't so waste some time and and try to get hold of them.

Of all my basses (which include some amazing 6ers (Alembic, Ken Smith, Fender clones, Modulus, Ibanez, and ESP LTD) none meet all your criteria. Only my Modulus is 35" scale and meets everything else except it's not fretless. But if you can find one used it may be the answer. (My Moddie has Barts not EMGs)

And now that I'm looking over the herd, aren't certain high end models of Ibanez 35"? I know mine aren't but I seem to remember some are? Ibanez 6er would be an excellent "pre-NBD bass" choice.
 
#17
ddhm said:
@ MR.Music
Another Spector is certainly a thought. I love my current Euro 6. Fretless are a rarity for sure. Heck, I thought about just defretting my current Euro but my best friend almost slapped me for even talking about that.

Whatever it is that I buy, I hope it is of the same quality of my Spector.
Click to expand...

Well if you like this why don't you just go for it? :) I mean, it's your bass guitar and if you want to defret it, than YOU are the one that makes that decision :)

You can do 2 things (depending on what you want of course) : You could look for a used fretless Spector Euro LX6. It will be hard, since they are a rare like you said.

The other thing, if you wanna safe money, is take your current Euro 6 to a luthier and let him remove the entire freboard and put a new fretboard on it. It will cost about 1/3 of your budget, but you do have your fretless 6 stringer :)

Don't listen to people about your idea's. If you like something, go for it. You are the one that owns the bass and you are the one that should be happy about his purchase :)
 
#19
spade2you said:
Just don't complain if you can't find what you want or don't like what you find. ;)
Click to expand...

Hahaha, touché, Spade2you :p:D

But I was referring to the part that he said he liked his Spector Euro LX 6 a lot and does want a fretless one similair to his Euro.

And since he had been thinking about defretting it, than my thought would be ''ignore the people talking the idea out of your head.'' Cause no matter how you look at it, if you want a fretless 6 stringer as good as the bass you have now, I would defret my bass for sure :D

But hey, that's me ;)
 
#20
If I were in the market for a fretless six with the features that the OP has specified, I'd be looking at the following makes & models (in no particular order):

- Peavey Cirrus
- Spector Euro LX
- Modulus Quantum TBX

Sorry to say, but none of those instruments is going to be available for the OP's budget on a brand-new basis, with the possible exception of the Cirrus. On a previously-owned basis, the Cirrus is definitely accessible, though the Spector & the Modulus are not.

IMHO, a $1500 budget presents a very serious constraint for the OP, and may simply not be realistic at all. The only other suggestion I've seen on this thread that might work for him would be a high-end Ibanez. But who knows whether he might find that unacceptable as well, for other, as-yet unspecified reasons? :hmm:

MM
 

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