Which Fretless..

[bassbrad]

As fond as I have always been for the FSO Jazz for fretless the Ibanez offers a lot of modern refinements.
The Squier is a lot easier to get parts for customizing if that is an interest and my current main fretless is a SVMFJ with a Duncan Jazz Stack V in the bridge.

 

[TheArchitect]

Sure, we all do. Even if something is the best-constructed from the best materials, it isn't necessarily the best for you if it doesn't do what you want. No point in buying a Porsche if you need a truck.

I understand your point but I don't think these two examples are all that different. I just want the best "bones" for the buck

 

[bordinco90]

I would go with the Ibanez. Great bass!

 

[svlilioukalani]

I picked up that Ibanez a at a shop recently. It’s a bad ass bass. It feel like something expensive. Really expensive. And sounds real good. I would totally gig that bass. And would grab one in a second if I see a used one.

 

[logdrum]

There' something about dealing with all the quirks of a passive Fender Jazz bass, hum, all the tonal issues etc. And it's a little different when fretless is involve, there are more quirks like the high probability of some dead-ish spots.

Late in this game if all my fretless bass disappeared and I have to get a new one, I will happily get a Squier of American Fender -- even though the Ibanez will be quieter, tonally versatile, faster neck and 24 frets -- more refined and functional.

My main fretless currently is a Lusithand equipped Fender Geddy Lee body and bridge with vintage style Lollar and an All-Parts Precision neck - ebony finger board. It is competing against a Pedulla Buzz which is a an excellent fretless already. Even without the Lusithand, what this bass rewards me with it is a lot more nuance which leads to an expressive tone

 

[Sub-hoo-fer]

I am going to go against the grain here a bit. I have owned both. The Squier is still here. The Ibanez moved on. I want an organic fretless sound and the always active Ibanez always sounded steril to me. I was constantly fiddling with the knobs vs just picking up the JB and playing. I also find the JB plays better with modulation. For example the sterile active sound became icy and brittle through a chorus.

 

[BAG]

I'll pile on and say "Ibanez" as well..... by a large margin.

 

[getBAK]

IMHO the Ibanez is a better bag for the buck. In reality it's more about personal preference. They probably both came out of the Cortek factory is Indonesia

 

[Jogobass]

Get the one you like the sound of. There are many variations in fretless sound. From thumpy and woolly to bright and singing.

 

[Chris Chong]

Another point to consider is single coil (squire) or Humbucker (ibby). the tone preference is very personal.

but if you have tried recording single coil and can’t stand the single coil hum, then humbucker would be a better option.

 

[TheArchitect]

Another point to consider is single coil (squire) or Humbucker (ibby). the tone preference is very personal.

but if you have tried recording single coil and can’t stand the single coil hum, then humbucker would be a better option.

The Ibanez coil splits. It will do both

 

[G On Bass]

I like Squiers a lot, but I would vote 100% for the Ibanez, as it has the electronics that will allow for far more versatility. Sometimes I need my fretless to just sound like an old school, mwah-free thumper, other times I need mega mwah. Active electronics makes that easy.

 

[gregbackstrom]

If you decide to get the Squier, make sure that the fingerboard lines are actually flush with the board. My last Squier’s lines weren’t, and dressing those “speed bumps” w/o messing up the Ebonol adds to the cost of the bass!

 

[salmon256]

As much as I love the fretless CV, I would go with the Ibanez, it just has a lot of shaping, a nice thin neck, though if you don't mind spending more or looking used, there's so more I guess you could say "up there" models from Ibanez that I think really shine for a bit more.

But both of them are awesome, I think though Ibanez is more for what you ya get. Just my 2 cents.

 

[gregbackstrom]

Ibanez.
Personally I wouldn't buy either because I'm a 5 string player but Ibanez makes a better fretless than squier does.

The only 4 string I still play is my Taylor AB-1. I have a couple of Gary Willis basses that are amazing to play.

 

[GTHintz]

I have modded many an instrument in my time but I am not looking for a project with this one

Ibanez all the way. Itll be a bit lighter, better balanced, more versatility in tone, pretty much all around better. The squier is going to make more fender fans happy but only till half of them get close enough to read the headstock and whine its one of the budget liners. So with those pros and cons you be the judge. My own experience ive had a fender and i have 2 ibanez soundgears. Key word is HAD for fender. Especially for squier line instruments, not terrible but for the price of the typical squier you'd be able to afford a very high end soundgear which objectively is way nicer in build quality, crafsmanship and electronics. The reason others have mentioned modding with the squier is because if you love the look and feel of playing one of those basses but need to to sound a certain way its not going to happen without some modding. My fender had a nice classic baked in tone but instead of tear it up i just sold it since i didnt care for it. Plus ibanez makes a better bridge system. Why worry about pulling strings through the holes and fight that when you can have a drop in and go bridge from ibanez. Also string height is adjusted with 1 screw not 2 keeping the saddle level. Also the screw that they use is bigger which is just better stability wise.

 

[TheArchitect]

I want an organic fretless sound and the always active Ibanez always sounded steril to me.

I really don't understand what you are trying to convey here. There is nothing organic about a manufactured device through electronic amplification devices.

 

[TimB1226]

I managed to get a Squier CV fretless Precision, and am very happy with it. But I don’t think they offered one for more than half an hour.

 

[jg42]

Got my SR370F (I believe that's a previous gen) back in 2012, upgraded the pickups to US Bartolinis along with a preamp and still am using the bass to this day.

 

[darwin-bass]

I have played both styles. Fine with either. I am leaning a bit towards the Ibanez with the active electronics. Just not sure if they are necessary

I prefer passive basses but after having a passive fretless J and then P, I ended up with an active fretless stingray style bass. Having a good onboard preamp in a fretless is great. Mine has an East preamp with sweepable mids so I can dip / bost to either feature the fretless sound or become more mellow and subdued. I use the preamp more on that bass than my active fretted bass.

So these days I'm saying passive for fretted and active for fretless.

Ibby all the way.