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Tips for a new fretless bass?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Ibby, Dec 16, 2014.

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  1. Dec 16, 2014 #1
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013
    Hello there!

    I have been playing the electric bass for a few years now, and I own three basses, one 4-string sandberg california, one 6-string Ibanez btb, and a Fretless squire jazz bass. I have been interested in getting a new and improved fretless for a while now. I have a budget of around 1500-2000 dollars max, but it doesn't need to be that expensive at all.

    I play mostly rock, pop, and funk, with the occasional metal song. I would use my fretted basses for the funkier numbers, but I am looking for a fretless, something with a lot growl for the rock numbers.

    I am mainly looking for a 5-string, but 4-strings are a welcomed option as well. The finishes I like are mostly natural finishes, or "unglossed" (if that is even a word).

    Some options that i have been looking into myself are:

    • Ibanez SRF705

    • Sandberg Californa TT4 Fretless RW TSB

    • Some sort of Warwick, most likely corvette.

    Feel free to come with lots of tips!

    P.S.

    I don't live in the states, so my options when it comes to used basses are limited!
     
  2. Dec 16, 2014 #2
    Gorn

    Gorn

    Dec 15, 2011
    Queens, NY
    Squier.

    Also, If I had $1500 to $2000 to spend on a fretless, I'd get a Tony Franklin signature bass.
    0190085800_gtr_frt_001_rr.png
     
    Jim Carr, spanndrew, reddog and 2 others like this.
  3. Dec 16, 2014 #3
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013
    Thanks for the correction. Here in Sweden, the only tony franklin signature I can find costs 20,000 kr, or 2600 dollars...
     
  4. Dec 16, 2014 #4
    Gorn

    Gorn

    Dec 15, 2011
    Queens, NY
    Wow. How available are used Japanese Fenders in Sweden? Or new ones? In America you can buy a used Japanese Fender fretless jazz for about $500 and they're outstanding basses.
     
  5. Dec 16, 2014 #5
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013
    I'm not sure entirely. Most websites sell American or Mexican Fenders, but the Japanese ones are rarer. But I will look into that. Thanks
     
  6. Dec 16, 2014 #6
    snyderz

    snyderz

    Aug 20, 2000
    AZ mountains
    If you want 5 string, keep an eye out for a used Stingray.
     
    halfjackson and NealBass like this.
  7. Dec 16, 2014 #7
    MrLenny1

    MrLenny1

    Jan 17, 2009
    New England
    Pedulla Buzz bass.
    They can sell for about $1500 on the used market.
    What are prices on Sandbergs in Europe?
     
  8. Dec 16, 2014 #8
    Imaginary Pony

    Imaginary Pony Guest

    Aug 29, 2014
    Hi...

    Your options aren't all that limited. The warwick PS are selling at half price, and disappearing fast...
    http://www.thomann.de/se/search_dir.html?sw=fretless&pg=2&oa=prd
     
  9. Dec 16, 2014 #9
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013
    I have been browsing all over thomann for a long time. All I find in terms of Warwick is the rockbass series, or left handed corvettes. What is a Warwick PS?
     
  10. Dec 16, 2014 #10
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013
    The Sandberg i have been looking into is around 1000 euros, which I find very reasonable.
     
  11. Dec 16, 2014 #11
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013

    I have been browsing all over thomann for a long time. All I find in terms of Warwick is the rockbass series, or left handed corvettes. What is a Warwick PS?
     
  12. Dec 16, 2014 #12
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013
  13. Dec 16, 2014 #13
    Imaginary Pony

    Imaginary Pony Guest

    Aug 29, 2014
  14. Dec 16, 2014 #14
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013

    Thanks for the tips, but for some reason i just don't like the streamer look, although the first one looks decent enough. And I want something that I will happy with for a long time, and that I wont outgrow in a couple of years. But maybe the korean built streamers are superb instruments, i don't know.
     
  15. Dec 16, 2014 #15
    NealBass

    NealBass Supporting Member

    Jun 19, 2014
    Ontario
    (Copied/pasted from another similar thread); Although I'm thinking of selling mine (as I'm not playing fretless much these days), I have to agree with snyderz post that the EBMM 5 fretless is amazing to play. Killer sound, easy action, very comfy. Highly recommended.

    Neal.
     
  16. Dec 16, 2014 #16
    Ibby

    Ibby Guest

    Jun 24, 2013

    The only one that I have tried, I didn't like very much. But I will definately give that bass a try if I ever happen across one. Thanks for chiming in.
     
    NealBass likes this.
  17. Dec 16, 2014 #17
    radioface

    radioface Guest

    May 2, 2013
    If I had 1500 to 2000 dollars to spend on a fretless bass guitar, it would have to have more than 4 strings.
     
  18. Dec 16, 2014 #18
    FC Bass

    FC Bass Alembic and Mesa/Boogie junkie

    Jun 9, 2006
    Holland
    I bought this one a few weeks ago for a little under $2000, can highly recommend it for all styles mentioned. :bassist:

    orion5fullfront.jpg
    (1999 Alembic Orion)

    The set neck Alembics (Epic, Excel and Orion) come standard with very nice woods and a satin (unglossed) finish.
     
    Jim Carr likes this.
  19. Dec 16, 2014 #19
    Nic.

    Nic.

    Aug 28, 2009
    Singapore
    A suggestion - whatever brand you're looking at, pay a lot of attention to the fingerboard wood first, then pickups. I've been using only fretless basses and I play predominantly heavy stuff, and I've come to find that my favourite woods are either harder woods (e.g. ebony) for the flat percussive sound or epoxied fingerboards for brightness. That's your basic sound, then you need a good pickup that would help to capture that sound. I'd probably say go for a set of nice humbuckers for the growl. I think a lot of people have slightly different ideas of what "growl" refers to though, do you have any particular band/bassist's sound in mind?

    By the way, "unglossed" - are you thinking of satin finishes and/or bare wood oiled finishes?
     
  20. Dec 16, 2014 #20
    Bradd Szonye

    Bradd Szonye Guest

    Dec 5, 2014
    San Jose, CA
    I love my Ibanez SRF700, although I’m hardly a bass connoisseur. Mine did require some minor repairs when I got it – one of the strap buttons stripped out when I installed straplocks, and some of the hardware was loose – but it’s a joy to play.
     
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