Production Fretless, NO LINES

[monkeyland]

It seems that most manufacturers have their token Fretless but they all have lines. Even fender really only makes one, the Tony Franklin. So everyone chime in with any production Fretless I don’t really care about price, however once we start getting toward 2k it might as well be custom to a point.

 

[Ryan L.]

Ibanez Portamento.

 

[B-Mac]

Ibanez Portamento.

Great bass with Two Barts and Piezo
Active with the Barts....Passive with just the Piezo
Ibby’s Soundgear line never ceases to amaze me

 

[B-Mac]

It seems that most manufacturers have their token Fretless but they all have lines. Even fender really only makes one, the Tony Franklin. So everyone chime in with any production Fretless I don’t really care about price, however once we start getting toward 2k it might as well be custom to a point.

If you really want to go inexpensive I think Dean is still making a few fretless unlined versions of a few Edge basses.
The Edge 1 (Passive) and Edge 4 (active)...though I’m not 100% sure they still make them and if they still do they’re probably MIC now instead of MIK. I have an older MIK Edge 4 Fretless 5 string (EADGC) unlined that is very surprising.

 

[monkeyland]

If you really want to go inexpensive I think Dean is still making a few fretless unlined versions of a few Edge basses.
The Edge 1 (Passive) and Edge 4 (active)...though I’m not 100% sure they still make them and if they still do they’re probably MIC now instead of MIK. I have an older MIK Edge 4 Fretless 5 string (EADGC) unlined that is very surprising.

I’m not really looking for cheap, I’m just not looking for USA Lakland or NYC Sadowsky.

What I would really like is a simple Jazz, or even a Lakland skyline. But those all have lines. I really can’t see myself getting cozy with any Ibanez SR

 

[Aidil]

+1 the Portamento. They even come in 4, 5, and 6 strings variants.

Ibanez also has newer semi-hollow body Aerium series, which has fretted and fretless, 4 and 5 string variants. The fretless ones are also kinda unlined. They do have lines, but dark lines thus vaguely unseen.

 

[B-Mac]

I’m not really looking for cheap, I’m just not looking for USA Lakland or NYC Sadowsky.

What I would really like is a simple Jazz, or even a Lakland skyline. But those all have lines. I really can’t see myself getting cozy with any Ibanez SR

I wouldn’t rule out the Ibby Portameto, really...if you can try one out you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[B-Mac]

I’m not really looking for cheap, I’m just not looking for USA Lakland or NYC Sadowsky.

What I would really like is a simple Jazz, or even a Lakland skyline. But those all have lines. I really can’t see myself getting cozy with any Ibanez SR

I just checked Dean website and they do still make an unlined Edge 4 which is active 3 band w/mid switch Beefy ABM bridge and Dean pups. Dean pups are usually on the hot side.
I own 20 Dean basses and love them all.
Most of the naysayers here have never touched one, so don’t believe everything you read...lots of headstock snobs.

I also own 7 Ibby’s 2 of which are Soundgears.

 

[JGbassman]

Just build one. Get a good neck from warmoth, custom to what you want and match it up to a loaded body, or load one with the pickups, electronics, and hardware of your choice. Beats buying one them modding with the stuff you want.

But I would try a portamento. They are amazing basses. If you don't like them because of the looks I get it, but they play like a dream. Ibby put a lot of thought into the ergonomics of a bass.

 

[hypercarrots]

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

I’m not really looking for cheap, I’m just not looking for USA Lakland or NYC Sadowsky.

What I would really like is a simple Jazz, or even a Lakland skyline. But those all have lines. I really can’t see myself getting cozy with any Ibanez SR

I've heard guys in my local guitar shop state that fretless and 6 string basses are hard to stock because people who want those have refined taste. Perhaps you can't find what you're after as easily as it should seem is because the market focuses those basses to the dabbler (Squier VM fretless, Ibanez GSR206 for example) so they'll have lines or the "pro" level market, such as Laklands and Sadowskys as you mentioned, which have more options. Just a thought, I don't really know.

With that, I think Warwick RockBass has an unlined fretless in the $700 range. You can find unlined EBMM in the used market for under a grand sometimes.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

G&L.

 

[bassically_eli]

Ibanez Portamento.

Great recommendation! It also has side-markers (lines and dots), so it's really the best of both worlds.

 

[bassically_eli]

I've seen many used Warwick Corvettes online with fretless, unlined ebony fingerboards. The older ones are German made and go for around $700. I played one in the store years ago and loved it, but I believe the only made a four-string, and I was looking for a fiver. It's really a great bass for the money!

 

[bassically_eli]

There's also the Schecter Session fretless, which isn't exactly lined, but is close. I personally like the looks.

 

[subtlestew]

Carvin/Kiesel. Unlined Carvins can frequently be found used, and if you want one to your own specs you can order whatever you want from the manufacturer. I'm on my 3rd unlined Carvin and they have all been wonderful.

 

[Ric Vice]

I’m not really looking for cheap, I’m just not looking for USA Lakland or NYC Sadowsky.

What I would really like is a simple Jazz, or even a Lakland skyline. But those all have lines. I really can’t see myself getting cozy with any Ibanez SR

Pretty sure you can get a Lakland Skyline unlined fretless

 

[matante]

If you like J basses try Bacchus. They've made unlined fretlesses in the past. Not sure about now.

I'd also try a Warmoth neck on your favorite Fender.

 

[Hevy T]

I have an unlined Cort B4! Beautiful playing bass, though I just can't seem to get along with the preamp!! I am considering trading it for a Fender Player Jazz fretless, but I also hate lined fretless!!

 

[Hevy T]

There's also Warwick!