Thinking about a fretless with a woody tone

[Persona87]

I'm looking for something somewhat light and preferably at least semiacoustic to balance out my six string basses which weigh over ten pounds. I'm also wanting to get a fretless, both to improve my ear but also just because I like the sound.

I'm looking at three basses: a Breedlove Atlas 4 string acoustic bass, a Godin A4 semi acoustic bass, or a Tony Franklin signature from Fender full electric.

I'm not trying to emulate an upright because I know it won't happen with anything other than an upright. I'm going for something kinda like Jaco but warmer and more organic. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Khronic]

"Sounds like wood", is the way I used to describe the sound of my Peavey Cirrus F/L.

 

[Gorn]

Carvin AC40f

 

[Kevindavid3]

The AC classic from f-bass sounds like a upright. It's also like 10000$ though.

 

[Kael]

Woody organic fretless tone makes me think Rob Allen.

 

[Blake Bass]

+1 to Rob Allen..the best fretless I have ever played..and I have played a ton of them!

 

[Duplo42]

Definitely check Epiphone Zenith - I was taken by surprise at how double-bassy and low-end it is. It had tapewound string on it thou, so check them out on other basses too, they make a difference

eidt: here's a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsuiVj3B9E0

 

[Randyt]

definetly...an FBASS...AC or AC Classic

 

[Marial]

An f-bass would be wonderful, but would probably break the bank. I'd recommend a Rob Allen if you can afford one, or, if you're a mere mortal like me and can't, then go with a Carvin AC40, or an AC50 if you decide you want a five string.

 

[JimmyThunder]

90s MIJ Precision A/E

 

[Marial]

Bass NW has/had one of those for sale. REALLY like the looks of those, but can't justify/afford another bass right now, and my music funds are going to an amp upgrade.

 

[Jim Carr]

+1 to Rob Allen..the best fretless I have ever played..and I have played a ton of them!

+1

The Rob Allen is truly the best hollow body fretless, IMHO. However, the Tony Franklin I played was even better than my '70 fretless P-bass, and had some nice bridge pickup growl.

The Godin looks interesting. I played one of their guitars, and it was really well made.

 

[RDUB]

Godin A4. Light, excellent sound from growl to thump.