Top Fretless brands

[nkossnar]

I've just been tossed into the world of fretless basses. I'm planning on buying one. Only problem is, I don't really know where to start. I don't know what brands to look at. If you could list off your favorite brands and the companies that get the most recognition for making fretlesses, that would really help.

Thanks.

 

[ClassicJazz]

You can never go wrong with a Fender Jazz Fretless. To me, they ARE the fretless sound standard! That is the sound everyone tries to get with their non-Fender fretless basses! I own two, a Fender Victor Bailey Jazz Fretless (active) and a Fender '62 RI Jazz Fretless (passive).

Click on my sig for pics........

 

[snyderz]

Stingray/Sterling.

 

[bkbirge]

+1 on fender, at least my 78 P says +1, don't know about the newer stuff too much. The Squier VM fretless is getting good buzz around here. If I was in the market I would look hard at a used Pedulla, preferably a hexabuzz. I'd also look at a G&L L2000. You can also look at the Warmoth Gecko series or just their parts and build your own custom. Unlike 20 years ago, there are lots of good quality choices now.

 

[flipper_gv]

I've heard by many that maybe the best FL were the Pedulla's Buzz, never tried one though

 

[spade2you]

There is a fretless for every taste out there. From deep and thuddy like a Rob Allen to the buzzy mwah of a Pedulla, there are plenty of awesome fretless basses and tones.

 

[fullrangebass]

There were fretless players in the 60's and 70's (Bill Wyman, of the Rolling Stones and one of James Brown's bass players to name two) but the popular fretless sound came with Jaco Pastorius (thus Fender Jazz bass and amazing musicality and chops to match). Other popular fretless sounds came with Stingray, Pedulla and others.

Having said that, I am much more enjoying Mick Karn's fretless Wal sound

I have played few top notch fretless basses but none come close to my fretless Prima Dingwall

 

[BassChuck]

There is a fretless for every taste out there. From deep and thuddy like a Rob Allen to the buzzy mwah of a Pedulla, there are plenty of awesome fretless basses and tones.

+1 Yea, this is the real answer. The beauty of fretless is that you have a wide variety of sounds, so the selection process is the same as with fretted..... find the sound you want and try out equipment until you get it.

If you are new to fretless and are unsure of your future with it... get the SX or Squire (probably SX is better) so you don't spend too much.

Best of luck. Fretless is a great musical addtion to your bass 'tool chest'.

 

[bongomania]

To the OP, what's your budget and what genre(s) do you play? There are probably over a hundred brands/builders that make exceptionally good fretlesses, and that's not even counting budget brands which can be modded for great fretless tone/action. So the only way to narrow it down is budget and style.

 

[Audiophage]

Brands don't matter. I mean, people have their preferences, but you shouldn't be afraid to look outside of those.

 

[richnota]

I cant resist Turner, Veillette, and Rob Allen basses and have become a big fan of fretless bass maker (and TB member) Tom Clement.

Here's my mahogany/bubinga fretless five (with mag+piezo electronics):

An insane figured walnut six string is in the works as well.

 

[Pj,Rj,Hj]

Wal!!!
Mick Karn, Percy Jones, Jeff Ament, Colin Edwin and others know good when they hear it.

Pedulla Buzz is also great but...
I have no doubt that Wal made the sweetest Fretless basses.

 

[rob2966]

I cant resist Turner, Veillette, and Rob Allen basses and have become a big fan of fretless bass maker (and TB member) Tom Clement.

Here's my mahogany/bubinga fretless five (with mag+piezo electronics):

An insane figured walnut six string is in the works as well.

WOW. That is a beautiful bass. I find that single-cuts are often hit or miss, that is a HUGE hit for me. So elegant and simple.

Later
Rob

 

[plastik-bass[?]]

I'm quite fond of warwick fretlesses...then again the could just be me

 

[progrockbass]

IMO Fender Jazz Fretlless there are multiple price points starting with Squire on up. I have the Jaco Pastorius Tribute and absolutely love it swapped out the flats for rounds and mwaah there is that beautiful Jaco sound!

 

[WarriorJoe7]

I think there is more variation in the sound of different fretless than with fretted basses (even though there are less choices.) I could be wrong though.

 

[spade2you]

I think there is more variation in the sound of different fretless than with fretted basses (even though there are less choices.) I could be wrong though.

That could be. I find a fretless to be a tad more responsive than a fretted bass and your choice of strings and fingerboard has a more dramatic response.

 

[pbass62]

Ill have to put a vote in for Pino and his fretless MM stingray. I love mine

AHH Fretless Bliss

 

[voodoobassist]

I've owned several makes of fretless basses, from fenders to stingrays to tobias to frankenstiens,... very happy with my lakland 55-02 now,...fairly versatile in tone range, and getting it at a great price didn't hurt either! Lot's of great choices out there,... have fun in your search!

 

[Ten Four One]

I was recently in the market for a fretless bass & I tried out a few. The Fender Jaco had this warm, thuddy, almost upright like sound with the flats. It seemed worth every penny of the $1600 price tag.

The Fender P (used) had tons of mwah. I would have purchased it but there was a huge crack in the headstock, which is probably why it was $450.

I ended up with a Pedulla Series II (Pedulla's budget line from the late 80's/early 90's). Good mwah, amazing playability. Cost $600, but these could be found cheaper on eBay.

I think there is more variation in the sound of different fretless than with fretted basses (even though there are less choices.) I could be wrong though.

+1. And more variation in tone with the meat of your fingers - if I use the flat part of the finger I get more mwah as the chubby part at the side of my finger affects the tone, but if I use the tip I get a clearer sound as there's less meat.