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Partially lined fretless?

LukeMan970

LukeMan970

Jun 22, 2005
341
15
Seattle, WA
#1
I'm in the market for a fretless but couldn't find too much on this idea through the searches. I'm looking for a fretless that is only partially lined. What I mean by that is like the Ibanez SRF705 you can see it has fret markers but only on the side of the neck (like in the picture in the link Invalid Link Removed)

Do you guys know of some other recommendations for basses like this? I am looking hard at the Ibanez but I want to explore other options as well. Thanks!
 
#2
You should check with a luthier for a price quote, that way you can get whatever bass you want. This Odyssey started out as a fretted bass, and a I had it converted to fretless with the cheater marks. It was done a long time ago with other mods, so I don't have a ball park for you.

IMAG1120_zpspxjvznrj.jpg
 
#5
kesslari said:
Zon will do this. My bass has it.
I think Fbass does it routinely.
Click to expand...

I have a "half-lined" actually lined to the B string only Zon 519 fretless. I'm willing to part with it but prefer to trade for a similar 34" scale Zon fretless.

Personally I think this the way to go with a fretless as you get good markers with all the 'cool' of a fretless line-less board.

Pedulla also offers this option.
 
#6
Yeah I really like the look of an unlined board but would still like a little help when I need it ;) I'm looking to keep my budget under $1,200 really otherwise an F Bass would definitely be on my short list.

I've heard good thing's about Zon's fretless basses but never played one. Are they all 34" scale? I like a 35" scale with 5 strings but would be open if the B string on those Zon's is still solid.
 
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#9
How about buying a warmoth unlined neck and putting it on something? I'm not a jazz bass fan but i've always liked the single coil sound with fretless (if I had to suggest a body to match a neck.)
 
#13
What sort of bass do you play right now?
I played a fretted MM sterling 4H for a while and just bought a fretless after hesitating between:

-Fender JB
-Warwick thumb
-godin
-MM sterling 4H

I ended buying the sterling despite my apprehension due to the fact it's unlined the neck is so familiar the adjustment are minimal and muscle memory took over.
 
#16
Over the years I've had completely blank (no dots) - "mystery board!", lined with dots, lined, side-lined like the Pedulla above and now blank with dots ON (not between) key fret locations, and i have to say this current layout is my favorite. It gives me some physical references where to go but keeps the fingerboard clean and lets me approximate the rest. That being said, I don't play any real solo stuff - pretty much banging out old Police tunes and some Firm ones - so I don't venture up the fingerboard a whole lot. YMMV.

That Pedulla is very, very lovely...... < sigh >
 
#17
Pedulla will do that.

For what it's worth and I'm not a huge Ibanez fan but I do like the BTB except for the lower horn length, I played that new SRF 705 Portomento. 5 string and it is a really nice playing bass with the extended fingerboard and piezo bridge. Didn't care so much for the 4-string at all, but the 5 was really nice!
 
#18
LukeMan970 said:
Yeah I really like the look of an unlined board but would still like a little help when I need it ;) I'm looking to keep my budget under $1,200 really otherwise an F Bass would definitely be on my short list.

I've heard good thing's about Zon's fretless basses but never played one. Are they all 34" scale? I like a 35" scale with 5 strings but would be open if the B string on those Zon's is still solid.
Click to expand...

Luke, you add just shy of 50% more to that budget and a near pristine 519 35" half lined Zon can be all yours. All the fretless you will ever want and more at a very reasonable shipped price (US). If it were 34" like every other bass I own I would not offer this up.

A new one would only run you a minimum $3700 plus tax and shipping. :bassist:
 
#20
drew_bassmore said:
I'm kind of into the wider spacing too. Drumsnbass should post a pic of that bass he's got just for posterity's sake. (although, I admit that I may have missed where it's posted in another thread.)
Click to expand...

I've really been having a hard time parting with this one, which is why it is not up in the FS section (yet). However the idea of just sticking to 34" scale basses, and the fact that my fretless addiction now has me at 3 fretless basses of which two are 34's tells me it is time for this to go...

photo1_zps7cad99b6.jpg


Sonus 519

Body
Material: Two-piece select swamp ash.
Finish: Flat satin (gloss available at extra charge)
Color: Natural.

Neck
Type: Composite, bolt-on design
Scale length: 35"
Finish: Flat urethane
Fingerboard: Phenowood w/side dot markers
Radius: 12"
Nut: Graphite
Frets/size: 22/medium
Width at nut: 1.875"
Width at 24th fret: 3.00"

Electronics
Type: ZB4 active electronics made for Zon by Bartolini.
Functions: Master volume, pickup blend, midrange and stacked bass/treble controls with 3 position mid frequency switch. Boost/cut +/15dB.
Power requirements: Single 9-volt battery
Life expectancy: 2500 hours of continuous use.

Pickup
Make: Exclusively designed for Zon by Bartolini.
Type: Neck: medium aperture, passive, linear single coil design. JB style shell.
Bridge: medium aperture, passive, linear single coil design. JB style shell.

Hardware
Bridge: ZON. Machined brass.
String spacing: .750/19mm (string-to-string center)
Tuners: Gotoh GB-7
Finish: Chrome

Options
General: • Fretless -lined, blank or half lined. (no dots on board face). • Bookmatched exotic wood tops • Matching stock • Transparent colors • Solid colors • Black hardware • Hipshot x-tender • Left-handed

Other
Gig bag included
 
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