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Recommend me a fretless
- Thread starter RxFunk
- Start date
It's actually been there two or three months already, it was originally 540, but they dropped the price.
You ask about fretless basses - but not a single word about the strings ...
If you don't know what you want, spend $300 on a Squier VM fretless and spend $100 until you got YOUR (flatwound) strings ...
I first had a (special deal) Warwick Rockbass Streamer fretless.
I changed to a Squier VM fretless (and equipped it with black pickguard, Strat knobs).
My favorite fretless strings are the .095 Fender flats. Very hard strings but they have this vintage sound. Others favour d'Addarios, Labellas, GHS +++
The stings are very important. Much more important than pickups and (in some cases) as the bass itself.
Sorry, but you asked the wrong question ...
The question is not which bass is best but which sound you like to have.
This is a question about the bass BUT also about the strings.
If you don't know what you want, spend $300 on a Squier VM fretless and spend $100 until you got YOUR (flatwound) strings ...
I first had a (special deal) Warwick Rockbass Streamer fretless.
I changed to a Squier VM fretless (and equipped it with black pickguard, Strat knobs).
My favorite fretless strings are the .095 Fender flats. Very hard strings but they have this vintage sound. Others favour d'Addarios, Labellas, GHS +++
The stings are very important. Much more important than pickups and (in some cases) as the bass itself.
Sorry, but you asked the wrong question ...
The question is not which bass is best but which sound you like to have.
This is a question about the bass BUT also about the strings.
I'll probably pick up some Labella Tapewounds, but I knew that I wanted those before I made this thread.
I love fretless basses, and am seriously considering making the jump full time as I am doing very little playing out these days. I would strongly suggest to start with a lined fretless, and a scale length you are already comfortable with. If you get an unlined Carvin XB75 for example, and have no lines on the 35.25" scale board, it will be more difficult to get it to sound in tune than if you get a lined fretboard of the scale you are playing most of the time now (34 or 35). The Jazz bass suggestions all seem good to me; I have a Squier VM and it is a nice bass. It's a very familiar scale length and the lines will help you a lot when you start. I am thinking of getting a lined SB5000 myself at the moment, but finding the right used one can take a while.
So, congrats on the move to fretless, they are a ton of fun and will make you want to play and practice more if you get something that isn't too overwhelming to start with. You can always upgrade in a few years to a Zon Hyperbass - you don't have to start with the maximum of uphill climb
Of course, some will swear an unlined fretless is the only way to go, but really when you get to the point the lines don't need to be there anymore, you can change basses or stop looking at the fretboard
So, congrats on the move to fretless, they are a ton of fun and will make you want to play and practice more if you get something that isn't too overwhelming to start with. You can always upgrade in a few years to a Zon Hyperbass - you don't have to start with the maximum of uphill climb
Of course, some will swear an unlined fretless is the only way to go, but really when you get to the point the lines don't need to be there anymore, you can change basses or stop looking at the fretboard I love fretless basses, and am seriously considering making the jump full time as I am doing very little playing out these days. I would strongly suggest to start with a lined fretless, and a scale length you are already comfortable with. If you get an unlined Carvin XB75 for example, and have no lines on the 35.25" scale board, it will be more difficult to get it to sound in tune than if you get a lined fretboard of the scale you are playing most of the time now (34 or 35). The Jazz bass suggestions all seem good to me; I have a Squier VM and it is a nice bass. It's a very familiar scale length and the lines will help you a lot when you start. I am thinking of getting a lined SB5000 myself at the moment, but finding the right used one can take a while.
So, congrats on the move to fretless, they are a ton of fun and will make you want to play and practice more if you get something that isn't too overwhelming to start with. You can always upgrade in a few years to a Zon Hyperbass - you don't have to start with the maximum of uphill climb
I actually didn't consider the differences in scale length in relation to it being fretless. In that case, I would probably get linedd first. Thanks for the advice.
Ah yea that is correct. Used Carvins and Warwicks are great deals as well. And I would recommend those way ahead of any Fender.
I've never tried a Warwick, but I have tried a Carvin before and it was great. I'll see if I can find a Warwick locally to try.
I have 2 nicely modified MIM Fender lined fretless jazz I found in mint condition used for around $500 (each). I just located my buddy one used online @ GC with BA Bridge and Duncan 1/4 pounders for 379 plus tax and shipping.
We picked it up @ our Nashville GC last night and are taking it into Brian @ LowEnd to get tapewounds and a set up. Came with rounds but the board still in good shape. Overall excellent condition. My friend is very satisfied with this purchase.
We picked it up @ our Nashville GC last night and are taking it into Brian @ LowEnd to get tapewounds and a set up. Came with rounds but the board still in good shape. Overall excellent condition. My friend is very satisfied with this purchase.
That's actually what I've heard. If you place your finger directly on the line, you will get a truer note, if you haven't been playing it that way, you should try that.
you obviously know your s**t!....Brian is the man and i'm sure he will do his usual excellent job for a stellar price.
ps-edit- as far as strings...my son has two fretless basses and they both have TI jazz flatwounds...i know they cost more, but the guy who sold 'em to us at corner music (JD for all you locals) said they would probably last at least 10 years and he loves 'em
Search the used market. Some years back I got a German Warwick Corvette passive 4 fretless for $400. Nearly brand new condition. It came with round wounds, which I replaced with flats.
If you are patient and careful, you can score a bass that, if new, would be double your price range.
Nice score coyote, my best bass score so far was not nearly as impressive, which was a Peavey Foundation for $80. Back on topic: I will most likely scour the used market for a while before purchasing anyway and will definitely use flats or tapes with it.
Depends, they all have their own character. I like the Thumb and Corvette models the most. Some like the Streamers.
