Which Fretless?

[Euphonious_Six]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a fretless. So far my choice is down to 2. As far as sound/tone goes I roll with the tone off usually for warm and mellow. Here are the 2 I am looking at:

1) Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz Bass, Which I have played and love but HATE the way it looks: Invalid Link Removed

2) Eastwood EUB-1, Which I haven't played but LOVE the way it looks: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Anyone have experience with one or both of these?
Do you have any videos or audio of the EUB-1?
Any other suggestions for muddy, warm, mellow tone (up to $700)?

 

[oren]

That Eastwood does look cool - looks a lot like the old Ampegs. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Rick Danko of the Band used to play one of those.

 

[Lonesomedave]

well, based on looks, the Eastwood, hands down.

obviously, I would want to hear how it sounds.

any way you could buy it with a return guarantee if you don't like it? if so, get it and try it out during the return period and see.

/s/ Dave

 

[SantiagoGT15]

You said up to 700$ , what about a MTD kingston CRB 5 fretless? (it's a P bass)

P pickup
Asymmetrical neck
Ebony fingerboard
19mm spacing
34" scale
Lightweight
its a 5er!

just my two rupees

 

[Kwesi]

If you hate the way the VM Jazz looks then don't buy it but if you dig that sound then the Eastwood probably won't give you what you want tonally.

 

[JohnnyB53]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a fretless. So far my choice is down to 2. As far as sound/tone goes I roll with the tone off usually for warm and mellow.

Anyone have experience with one or both of these?
Do you have any videos or audio of the EUB-1?
Any other suggestions for muddy, warm, mellow tone (up to $700)?

I've played some Eastwoods and own a Squier Vintage Modified fretless. The Squier VM is well turned out, durable, plays well and has good Jacoesque sounds right out of the box. The stock pickups sound good but lack dynamics so I replaced them with USA Bartolinis and swapped in a better bridge from Babicz.

Eastwoods are pretty nice for what they are but there are lots of reports of unit-to-unit inconsistency.

Anyway, I also owned a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], and for the money, it's the no-brainer winner in this. It's a much better built bass than either of those, extremely comfortable, has a huge range of excellent tones, and good hardware including a cast bridge, MIK Bartolini pickups, and Hipshot licensed tuners. As for the swampy thing, it has a bypassable active preamp, two pickups, and 3-band EQ, so you can dial in as much clarity and brightness or swampy and darkness as you could want.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[darkstorm]

Ibanez, Dean, and Cort make nice fretless.

 

[jim777]

I'd go with an Ibanez GWB35 before I'd go with the Fender or Eastwood myself.

 

[Kaleidescapist]

I'd put in another vote for the Cort B4FL - nice instrument, definitely in your price range, lovely sound, and they feel great. I nearly got one of those early this year, before I lucked out on my late-80s Peavey Foundation S fretless - I'd definitely recommend the Foundy if you happen across one.

 

[bassplayer1960]

These are very versatile semi hollow made in canada/us and sell used at good prices. There are also less likely to be beaters as they appeal to more mature players. I have two, one that is fretless and is in a rare congac burst which is rare and is for sale. It's about 8 years close to flawless condition. I am selling it as I have moved on to a Pedulla Buzz and a Rob Allen and do not play this Godin anymore.

 

[SCMan88]

I played the Cort Artisan just yesterday in a local store.

It was really nice.
The electronics are...OK.

It sure is a good "first" fretless to get.

 

[Melik]

Yamaha fretless' go for around and under 500€ (used). I bought mine for 500