Looking for a value-for-money fretless

[JahWobbler]

Hi, new member here.

I'm after a fretless bass with a warm yet ballsy tone similar to a Musicman Stingray, but cheaper. I'm thinking of a 4-string, but I wouldn't say no to 5 or 6. Preferably active rather than passive.

Cheers.

 

[Freddels]

Carvin.

 

[Marial]

Used G&L.

 

[Apolicious]

What kind of money are you talking about? I personally think $5k for an F-Bass is a screamin' deal. There's also no way I could afford one.

It's all relative, man.

 

[JahWobbler]

I'm thinking around £3-400, second hand. I like the sound of the Carvin fretless. Rare to find, though, and a bit pricey.

What's Peavey like?

 

[sean_on_bass]

Look no furter than the Squire Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz. It's good, trust me.

 

[raventepes]

ESP LTD B-204 FL NS

 

[adi77]

the ibanez gwb35 is a great fretless for the price.. i regret selling mine

 

[JahWobbler]

Thanks for the great replies.

Would any these get anywhere close to a Mick Karn Wal'ish tone? I know the Wal fretlesses have filter preamps, which are a big part of the sound.

 

[Temcat]

Thanks for the great replies.

Would any these get anywhere close to a Mick Karn Wal'ish tone? I know the Wal fretlesses have filter preamps, which are a big part of the sound.

Not really close, but I believe a G&L L-series can get you in the ballpark.

 

[Son of Wobble]

I am very happy with my MIM fretless Jazz.
I am, however, less than delighted with your screen name.

 

[since197three]

Look no furter than the Squire Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz. It's good, trust me.

Don't mean to post jack but I'm thinking really hard about getting one of these. Read so much good about them for $300.

 

[BioWeapon]

ESP LTD B-204 FL NS

Seconded. I played the 5er version (B-205SMFL) at a local store and it was killer.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Don't mean to post jack but I'm thinking really hard about getting one of these. Read so much good about them for $300.

The ones I have played were pretty solid. Not a fan of the ebanol fingerboard, though. Sonically it is ok, but I didn't like it in a tactile sense. Of course, I didn't like the Tony Franklin fretless fingerboard of EBONY, either - so it is not a cost issue, just personal preference -- my preference is for a rosewood fingerboard, preferably unlined.

 

[JahWobbler]

I am very happy with my MIM fretless Jazz.
I am, however, less than delighted with your screen name.

Lol, sorry. 'JacoisGod' and 'JacoisKing' were taken, so I ended up with this.

The kind of tone I don't want is something hollow and woody. Nothing against it, it just wouldn't sit well in my mixes. From what I've heard, G&L L series sounds the business.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

ESP LTD 214 Fl. 3 TSB with unlined rosewood board with passive p / j pickups . Mine has original model EMG set and sounds and plays great .

I like this Fretless so much my 2 Fender jazz Fretless (1 passive SCNs and the other Di Marzio Js and Retro J pre )set in their cases.

 

[JahWobbler]

Does the ESP come as a lined fretless?

 

[Pudge Fish]

Look no furter than the Squire Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz. It's good, trust me.

I gotta say, Squier has the Bang:Buck ratio. I'm plotting on my third. I love modding em!

 

[macmanlou]

The Fender MIM fretless Jazz gets you a rosewood fingerboard and a wide variety of tones for less than half of what the Stingray costs, with enough left over to mod the pickups.

 

[Nev375]

Used Cort Curbow.