A fretless is my next bass. Because I'm dabbling in this world, I don't want to go Fully Monty with a high end instrument, so I'm interested to know whether there is an outstanding fretless bass out there that has a favorable quality : price ratio. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.
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G&L Tribute Kiloton Fretless (https://www.glguitars.com/product/kiloton-fretless/)
I have not played the Tribute, but my US 5 string Kiloton is excellent. Tributes tend to sound nearly identical to the US models for a fraction of the price. If I am buying a sub-$1000 4 string fretless, it is the one I am buying.
I have not played the Tribute, but my US 5 string Kiloton is excellent. Tributes tend to sound nearly identical to the US models for a fraction of the price. If I am buying a sub-$1000 4 string fretless, it is the one I am buying.
Not sure if they are being made anymore, but I was always envious the Squier Modified Vintage Jazz bass. Essentially a Jaco Bass of Doom clone without the distress. Only available righty. Ah well.
I've been giving it a lot of thought recently, and I 've settled on a Sire Marcus Miller V5 for my next fretless. I'll be buying at Thomann, so in the unlikely event I don't like it, I can take advantage of their excellent returns policy...
www.thomann.co.uk
Low End Lobster gave it a glowing review...
Good hunting!
Marcus Miller V5 Alder-4 TS FL
4-String Fretless Electric Bass Made by Sire, Alder body, One-piece maple neck, C neck profile, Roasted maple fretboard, 34" Long scale, 20 Positions, 38 mm Nut width, Bone nut, String spacing: 20 mm, 241 mm Fretboard radius, 2x Marcus Vintage-J...
www.thomann.co.uk
Low End Lobster gave it a glowing review...
Good hunting!
Any of the fretless Ibanez Soundgears are good bang-for-the-buck. Not everyone loves the necks though, which are considerably skinnier than Fender-style. On the other hand many people prefer them. Try before buying.
A friend of mine has a Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass. Pretty nice sounding/looking bass. I think it retails about $450.
Maybe a bit more than you want to spend but it's very hard to beat a Roscoe at any price IMO.
I think that they are priced substantially below their market peers, and there are great used deals out there.
I think that they are priced substantially below their market peers, and there are great used deals out there.
i can only promote the idea of a parts bass. not for everybody --- some folks don't have the time or the inclination, but if you've ever put an ax together from parts (and if you enjoyed the experience, mostly, and if you got a good player from the experience) then that is the best way to go superb fretless while budgeting. IMO/IME. you get to choose the qualities/parts you want! 
...it's an option! good luck with your fretless acquisition!
...it's an option! good luck with your fretless acquisition!
I started with an ESP/LTD 205/4 SM. Though, I liked it so much I promptly returned it and went big on a nicer bass… and then bought a second very nice fretless. If I wasn’t wildly irresponsible this would be a fine instrument for my needs.
+1 Gary Willis black bass
+1 any G&L
I'm interested in Sire cause they coat all their fingerboards ( as far as the reviewers say, even though a couple reviews don't have that Jaco/epoxy/roundwound sheen and brightness ).
+1 any G&L
I'm interested in Sire cause they coat all their fingerboards ( as far as the reviewers say, even though a couple reviews don't have that Jaco/epoxy/roundwound sheen and brightness ).
I picked up a used MTD Kingston fretless that I did not care for which I thought was odd because I have other MTDs that I love. I just didn't care for the way it played and the wide neck when it came to fretless so I sold it and picked up a used Warwick streamer which I have really been digging. The tone, feel and playability are just what I was looking for. I paid under $1k for each of the MTD and Warwick on the used market.
Here's a link to the new version of the Warwick from Sweetwater's site:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...er-nt-i-5-string-fretless-bass-guitar-natural
Here's a link to the new version of the Warwick from Sweetwater's site:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...er-nt-i-5-string-fretless-bass-guitar-natural
Offering a ringing endorsement of Sire jazz basses in fretless format!
I own a first generation jazz 5 and get great feedback from recording engineers.
The preamp provides a ton of flexibility and mine has a bit a glassy finish on the fingerboard.
For those interested in tighter string spacing or a more modern look - I'd vote for an Ibanez product
I own a first generation jazz 5 and get great feedback from recording engineers.
The preamp provides a ton of flexibility and mine has a bit a glassy finish on the fingerboard.
For those interested in tighter string spacing or a more modern look - I'd vote for an Ibanez product
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i can only promote the idea of a parts bass. not for everybody --- some folks don't have the time or the inclination, but if you've ever put an ax together from parts (and if you enjoyed the experience, mostly, and if you got a good player from the experience) then that is the best way to go superb fretless while budgeting. IMO/IME. you get to choose the qualities/parts you want!
...it's an option! good luck with your fretless acquisition!
This x1000.
For me, every bass lives or dies by the neck. Whatever your big draws are, putting together a parts bass allows you to focus your budget where it makes most sense for your preferences. And if you don’t want to compromise, you don’t have to…
I gotta second the LTD B204. I scored a great deal on a new one during the pandemic, same thing, I just wanted to dabble in fretless, hadn’t had one in years. I paid $400 brand new, and it’s a really nice instrument at that price point. The spalted maple is pretty, the neck is super slim and fast, and the electronics sound decent, though I am ardently against active electronics typically, so I’m not the best judge.
That was certainly one of the things that swung it for me!
I'll second the G&L Tribute Kiloton Fretless. I got mine brand new a couple on months ago for the same price as a used Fender MIM fretless I was considering. No regrets! Big ceramic magnets in the pickup seem like a good match for a fretless "mwah" sound that has presence. The quality is on par with any US bass I own (I own four American Fenders). The neck is sublime. I'll never embarrass myself playing a fretless live, but I'm really enjoying it. I don't suck on fretless as much as I thought I would
