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Sittin' on the fence.

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Michael Jewels, Sep 28, 2001.

  1. Sep 28, 2001 #1
    Michael Jewels

    Michael Jewels

    Nov 29, 2000
    Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
    I normally can make up my mind with no one's help, but, on this issue, I am stuck. O.K. I've decided to get another fretless, and will be selling my MIM fretless Jazz.(more on that later) Some of you may remember that I have a preference for one pickup basses, and ones that are passive. I've been playing my Casady and 5 string Yamaha like a madman, but I do miss the "mwah" of a fretless, especially through a flanger. So, my two choices are: The Dean Rhapsody fretless or
    The MTD Kingston fretless

    Please give your opinions even if you haven't played both. I haven't played either, but, I'd never played a Jack Casady and bought one mainly on the testimonies of others. I still want to get a Musicman 5, but that's almost $1,500.00 Either the Dean of the MTD are about 1/3 the price. Plus it still gives me the excuse to get a MM5 further down the road.

    Let me know what you think.
    Mike J. :confused:
     
  2. Sep 28, 2001 #2
    seamus

    seamus Guest

    Feb 8, 2001
    Jersey
    I have a K5, though not a fretless. Overall though, I'd say they meet your criteria for a good, one pickup passive bass. They are high on value for the money, and have that midrangey passive sound.

    Though I've never played the fretless model, I would wager it's up to par with any fretted K5. Too bad they have those fret lines though, I like the unlined look. I've never played a Dean.
     
  3. Sep 28, 2001 #3
    Weaselboy

    Weaselboy Guest

    May 30, 2001
    San Berdoo Mtns., CA
    2nd Casady (Is there really anything better?)

    Yank the frets.

    Hmmm, wonder what it'd sound like.
     
  4. Sep 28, 2001 #4
    eli

    eli Mad showoff 7-stringer and Wish lover Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 1999
    NW suburban Chicago
    Speaking fron no experience with either instrument and going strictly on hearsay and company reputation, I would bet a shiny new dime that the MTD would be easily the superior of the Dean.
     
  5. Sep 28, 2001 #5
    Philbiker

    Philbiker Pat's the best!

    Dec 28, 2000
    Northern Virginia, USA
    I have a Dean Edge 5 string fretless and it is a very very impressive piece for the money I paid ($400 new). It has become my most played electric. The neck is a dream. It has two soapbar EMG HZ pickups that are sufficient and passive EQ which I like. Loads of mwah and a beautiful finish. Are you looking at one of the Czech made Deans? Mine's Korean.

    That Rhapsody looks very nice on Dean's website. It's too bad they put lines on though, mine is from the pre-line Dean days and I think an unlined fretless looks far far nicer than a lined one.
     
  6. Sep 28, 2001 #6
    Michael Jewels

    Michael Jewels

    Nov 29, 2000
    Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
     
  7. Sep 28, 2001 #7
    Michael Jewels

    Michael Jewels

    Nov 29, 2000
    Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
    I meant to include your comment in my previous post, sorry. Embellisher posed this same question the other day. To give basically the same answer:
    1) A new Casady would be in the $750.00 range roughly. A good de-fret job would be about $150.00 I'd say, so now we're looking at about $900.00
    2) Although a fretless Casady would sound great, I'm a bit lazy, and I know I'd never do it, then I'd just have two Casadys. (not the worst thing in the world)
    3) I like trying and buying different basses. I don't have a Dean or a Kingston, so getting one would be a ton of fun in itself.

    Mike J.