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Looking to go fretless...advice?

M

merkelbach

Feb 25, 2006
20
1
#1
I am really wanting to try fretless bass, but I don't know if I should get a low-end fretless, like a squire vm, or if I should just get a new neck and replace the one on my P bass. I only have a couple hundred bucks, so my options are limited. If anyone has any tips or advice on what to look for in a lined fretless neck, please let me know. Thanks.
 
#2
merkelbach said:
I am really wanting to try fretless bass, but I don't know if I should get a low-end fretless, like a squire vm, or if I should just get a new neck and replace the one on my P bass. I only have a couple hundred bucks, so my options are limited. If anyone has any tips or advice on what to look for in a lined fretless neck, please let me know. Thanks.
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I've done the neck replace thing and I'd only do it if it's a bass you really don't use much. Changing necks is something you can do but it's a huge setup hassle.

For a fretless noob, I'd recommend a quick surf to Rondomusic.com.

Link Removed

Just look at this for a mere $130. I got the Jazz bass version of this back in the day for $99. I positively LOVE the tone out of it. The combo of rosewood fingerboard and alder body gives an amazing nice mellow tone out of it. A perfect companion for your P-bass!
 
#3
Is your P bass your only or main bass? If so, I wouldn't recommend getting a neck for it as you've mentioned you want to try a fretless bass. It might be best to get a used fretless bass first to see if it will be something you might be interested in and you'd still have your p-bass if it doesn't work out. Check Craigslist, classified ads for one- if it's something you don't end up liking, you can always sell it. Easier to sell a bass than a neck alone. A used Squier VM can be bought for about $170 at GC, so can a used Ibanez SR300 fretless. Sounds like you're more of a Fender kind of person, I would probably opt for the Squier. They're not bad, I've tried one - pretty decent- it was one of my choices, but I opted instead for a used five string fretless I found on Craigslist. Ultimately, I ended up selling it anyway as after playing it for a year or so, I found myself gravitating back to my fretted basses. Sold it for about the same price I bought it for so no financial loss for my momentary excursion into the fretless world.
 
#4
merkelbach said:
I am really wanting to try fretless bass, but I don't know if I should get a low-end fretless, like a squire vm, or if I should just get a new neck and replace the one on my P bass. I only have a couple hundred bucks, so my options are limited. If anyone has any tips or advice on what to look for in a lined fretless neck, please let me know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Go unlined. IME lines are a crutch you can easily get too reliant on.
 
#5
Any bass has to feel right in your hands for you to connect with it. If you are trying fretless for the first time this is very important.

I don't agree that a neck swap is a big deal in terms of set-up but the feel of the bass won't be known till you've tried it.

I would also say having owned fretless P and J that the fretless J is substantially better. I'm a big P fan so you need this context. But then I'm also a Jaco fan and I love the sound of that bridge pickup to the max on a fretless J.

A cheap fretless doesn't sound a great plan to me. On the other hand if it feels right then it's a bargain!

Hope this makes sense to you.

Good luck
Davo
 
#6
You're compelled to buy it used, 'cause Squier doesn't sell parts without s/n of your instrument (this to assess you're in need of a simple replacement) so you'd need a Squier VM fretless bass first, to call for a proper, new, replacement.

So go used: it will cost you a fraction and you're in the condition to opt between P or J shaped necks.

Ebonol lined fretless is nothin' special, but it's good to start with

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#9
MIM Fenders are nice, as are many inexpensive smoothies these days. I had Dean Edge(4)that was very good
, and TBer Snyderz has a sweet lil P/J FS CHEAP right now. I'd also suggest not necessarily trying to replicate your favorite/main bass in a fretless version- I tried this and ended up going through piles of basses before realizing that for me, a fretless is a different beast and needs to be approached as an individual. Have you ever tried to treat a new flame the same as an old one..? YMMV :)
 
#10
I highly recommend the ESP B series.

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#11
I highly recommend you avoid the VM fretless. There are terrible reviews on it, just dig deeper. Trust me, I bought one based on the glowing reviews. Once I got my P.O.S I started noticing how they all have the same issues. The biggest of which being the plastic fretlines in the fingerboard not being radiused level with the neck. You are left with what is essentially tiny little frets that will cause fretbuzz making a proper setup impossible. I had to re-radius my neck as did many others. There was a "worst bass you've played" thread and the VM fretless was one of the most mentioned basses. I repeat this statement regularly as I would hate to see somebody else waste their money like I did, thankfully I had the tools on hand and was comfortable sanding my neck, most people would be stuck with it. Apparently there are ones out there with a flat neck but I have yet to see one and I have seen at least 10 examples.
 
#16
I still dig my Squier VM fretless Jazz, but I can only speak to my own experience. It was the perfect gateway to the fretless world for me (I now have a lined Pedulla Pentabuzz).

Additionally, don't worry about lines/no lines. If you like them and they help you sound good, get a lined fretless. If you prefer the look of non-lined, get a non-lined fretless. Pay no attention to anyone advocating one over the other because all that matters is what works best for you.
 
#18
eukatheude said:
Go unlined. IME lines are a crutch you can easily get too reliant on.
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I disagree. If you feel comfortable with them, then have them. You don't have to look at your neck. When Jimmy Haslip played fretless he had a lined fretless 6. Good enough for him, good enough for me.

Get a different bass. You can get something for $200.
 
#20
I started with a Rondo fretless P Bass. It was a pretty solid instrument, had a hard maple board with enough poly to keep it from getting chewed up, and was strung with flats. It had plenty of mwah, took a set up well, and it was great to learn on. I later sold it for almost what I paid and upgraded to a Fender Jazz fretless.

Fretless is not for everyone, so getting your feet wet on a cheap, solid instrument makes sense. And there are many such instruments to chose from, the competition with entry-level guitars is fierce.
 

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