Need advice on fretless

[DanielW]

I have a five string with active Bartolinis (Ibanez BTB 675), and a passive four string P bass (Sandberg VM-4, so technically active, but I use it as a passive). My next bass will be a fretless.

I'm thinking I'll get either one of the Ibanez Gary Willis signature basses, a Warwick Corvette in the same price range, or maybe an NS Design NXT to be able to play in upright position as well as guitar style.

Now, in a perfect world there would be a music store in my city with every bass in existence available to try out.

It does not. Especially not the odd ones.

I would use the fretless for mostly ambient experimental stuff, or maybe for learning to play jazz. No funk, slap, or other "groovy" stuff.

I am willing to spend a bit and I don't mind waiting for the right instrument. On the other hand, I am not rich and I have no way of getting a tax writeoff for an instrument purchase. I could not order a custom model from a luthier, or I would do that and have a conversation with them instead.

2,000 USD or around that figure is the absolute limit – or more realistically around 1,500.

 

[HeathenHeart]

Ibanez has the SRF series as well for $1000. I'm not a fan of the Bartolini MK-1s, but other than that the bass is pretty solid all around.

The Sire M7 is a cheaper option, and people told me good things about it. I've never played on one though.

Brand fretless basses are pretty rare overall, especially in this price range.

 

[Scottgun]

Gary Willis all day.

 

[lz4005]

I have a five string with active Bartolinis (Ibanez BTB 675), and a passive four string P bass (Sandberg VM-4, so technically active, but I use it as a passive). My next bass will be a fretless.

I'm thinking I'll get either one of the Ibanez Gary Willis signature basses, a Warwick Corvette in the same price range, or maybe an NS Design NXT to be able to play in upright position as well as guitar style.

Now, in a perfect world there would be a music store in my city with every bass in existence available to try out.

It does not. Especially not the odd ones.

I would use the fretless for mostly ambient experimental stuff, or maybe for learning to play jazz. No funk, slap, or other "groovy" stuff.

I am willing to spend a bit and I don't mind waiting for the right instrument. On the other hand, I am not rich and I have no way of getting a tax writeoff for an instrument purchase. I could not order a custom model from a luthier, or I would do that and have a conversation with them instead.

2,000 USD or around that figure is the absolute limit – or more realistically around 1,500.

You didn't ask a question, only said what you were thinking about doing.

 

[DanielW]

You didn't ask a question, only said what you were thinking about doing.

With a number of alternatives.

 

[theduke1]

Any G&L fretless
Except mine as it is not for sale lol
Duke

 

[rockdoc11]

If you're looking to simply test the fretlesswaters, you might look for a used P-bass fretless neck to install on your passive four string P bass. That might end up being all you need for a lot less cash. Plus everything can be returned back to normal down the road and the fretless neck resold for minimal loss.

 

[JRA]

If you're looking to simply test the fretlesswaters, you might look for a used P-bass fretless neck to install on your passive four string P bass. That might end up being all you need for a lot less cash. Plus everything can be returned back to normal down the road and the fretless neck resold for minimal loss.

good luck on your fretless quest, OP!

 

[DanielW]

So, um… This happened.

Out of the blue, someone in my town is selling an NS Design NXT, mint condition, for the equivalent of 650 USD.

Thanks for all the advice, but I'm sorted for fretless for the time being. May get a "normal" fretless later.