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Low priced fretless?

#43
I have a Squier VM Fretless for a bit and sold it. It sounded fine on it's own, but disappeared in the mix. The neck was also a bit funky and could probably not have been fixed completely without some major work. The fretboard material also scarred easily.
I didn't give up on fretless - I picked up a used Ibanez next which was really pretty great and everything the Squier was not. SR 375F, I believe.
I always used Nickel Rounds for maximum mwahh with both bases.
 
#44
morgansterne said:
My squier vm could certainly benefit from having the fretboard levelled, but the only problem spots I notice are above the twelfth fret (so to speak) on the E string. That's not a deal breaker for me at all. The action is comparable right now to where my other basses have been.

I got a Rogue fretless in a trade and that thing was unplayable. By which I mean to say, the frustration wasn't worth the enjoyment I did get out of it. Unless you get one for free, which I practically did, it's not worth it.
Click to expand...

Squier makes a good one, but that synthetic finger board bugs me... just feels strange.

Everyone should know I'm not a brand snob but I will tell you without a doubt after the experiences I have had I am not and I repeat not going to do Rogue ever again and I will not recommend them.
 
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#45
If you can find one, a used Peavey Foundation fretless with Super Ferrite pickups is fabulous. US-made, built like a tank and great sound. I got mine for about $200 US. Picture below isn't mine, but it's a duplicate.

Foundation%2BFL.jpg
 
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#46
Squier. Plenty of what you want in a fretless and if you want to swap pickups pits later on you can but IMHO you won't need to. Rondo is a good choice as welll but have a fresh set of strings ready. I had an ash body six string from them but the strings were icky. Happy hunting.
 
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#47
I play nothing but fretless and you cannot go wrong with the Squier VM fretless. It's a bass you could play all your life, and there's one at guitarcenter.com right now for $199.

It's not my main bass but I have one and take it out every now and then. Bone stock it is giggable anywhere.

ETA: read rest of thread. Tried a few of these and not a one had the problems described. On a different subject bass, the Rondo stuff is not bad, but not backwards compatible with most parts either, so you get what you get. That being said, what you get aint bad.

Stay away from the Rouge fretless, that thing is terrible.
 
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#48
It seems like rondo is where its at! Or luck out on a good used some where! Also a new instrument deserves new strings . wether it's brand new or just new to me.
I want to say thanks to everyone who took the time to give me input on my research and decision. This forum is beyond helpful. :thumbsup::bassist::hyper:
 
#49
arbiterusa said:
I play nothing but fretless and you cannot go wrong with the Squier VM fretless. It's a bass you could play all your life, and there's one at guitarcenter.com right now for $199.

It's not my main bass but I have one and take it out every now and then. Bone stock it is giggable anywhere.

ETA: read rest of thread. Tried a few of these and not a one had the problems described. On a different subject bass, the Rondo stuff is not bad, but not backwards compatible with most parts either, so you get what you get. That being said, what you get aint bad.

Stay away from the Rouge fretless, that thing is terrible.
Click to expand...

Thanks man .
What do you mean by backwards compatibility?
The toss up is between the fender or douglas.

And as for the rogue :poop::poop::poop::poop::poop: ilooked at them about a year ago seeking a fretless. The fact that they are the cheapest and are sold on amazon sacred me away.... thankfully.
But the douglas' actually sound good from the videos ive found
 
#50
Michael-hoff said:
What do you mean by backwards compatibility?
The toss up is between the fender or douglas.
Click to expand...

Aftermarket Fender and Fender-style parts won't fit Rondo/Douglas. Think that was something he had to change when he got threatened by Fender. On the other hand, any aftermarket Fender product out there will fit a Squier VM. Lots of choices if you want to upgrade.

For example, I put EMGs on my Squier VM. Can't do that to a Rondo.
 
#51
arbiterusa said:
Aftermarket Fender and Fender-style parts won't fit Rondo/Douglas. Think that was something he had to change when he got threatened by Fender. On the other hand, any aftermarket Fender product out there will fit a Squier VM. Lots of choices if you want to upgrade.

For example, I put EMGs on my Squier VM. Can't do that to a Rondo.
Click to expand...

That clarifies! Thanks man!

Im not looking to dump a bunch of cheddar into a guitar anyway. So if i get a rondo i probably wouldn't change much on it . And at the low price point i would be better off getting both over time! ! :woot::woot::woot:

I just miss playing my friends washburn fretless. Not sure on the model but damn was the color of the sound gorgeous.

Not sure my lady would like six guitars in the appartment though! !!!:bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#53
I don’t know where people are seeing VM fretless with all the problems described, all the ones I’ve played (3-4 in different stores) have been ready to play right off the rack, even at GC, which is a minor miracle. By contrast, the average Fender I pull off the wall at GC needs a complete setup, usually very high action. I assume that’s due to shipping effects, not sloppy QC, but GC does NO setup. There’s Probably some QC variation in the Squier, something has to give at that price range, but bad nut, raised fret lines? Nope, haven’t seen it yet.
 
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#55
Gilmourisgod said:
I don’t know where people are seeing VM fretless with all the problems described...
...bad nut, raised fret lines? Nope, haven’t seen it yet.
Click to expand...

I'e seen all of this and more on all of the VM fretless I've tried (including a VM precision and several Jazzes). Also picked up an Ibanez SRH500 a week or so back that had a fingerboard like the Rockies...buzz and choke all over the place. The only 'consistently playable off the shelf' fretless I've seen recently is the Ibanez Portamento, all of which were excellent.
 

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