guitarjong

Having just suffered a very bad case of gas for a fretless. I've just bought (about 6 weeks ago) a Pro Series Fretless Ash Corvette, the passive model, from Thomann. It is B stock, but not a mark on it. My budget wasn't particularly large, and I was really looking at Squier's and Vintage instruments. Then noticed the Warwick on Thomann. It ended up costing me very comfortably under £400, including credit card fees on the Euro to Pound conversion. The quality of the bass is very good, even more so when the price is considered. Do I care about country or origin? Not at all. These Pro Series instruments are in limited supply. I say grab one before Thomann sells out. It is nearly Christmas after all....:-)

Just looked and the credit card company have charged me £3. So I am into it for £380, bargain really. I took a few days deciding to pull the trigger or not, but came to the conclusion that Thomann have the 30 day money back thing, so it was worth doing. I have the cash saved up, and I want a fretless anyway. I'd say go for it, if you can afford it. These basses are now discontinued, so the deal won't be around for ever. I missed out on a violin yellow PS Corvette by waiting. I know about the "wait for a used German instrument to pop up here or on EBay" argument. But I don't think they go as low as I am paying. From what I've read, these Pro Series instruments are the same as the German production ones, just assembled in Korea.

Yes, I'm not sure what the full RRP of these basses was, but the Thomann indicated price in pounds sterling was £377. I guess my credit card company will hit me a bit with their exchange rate and charges, but even then it should still look very good.

[quote name='Srwu' timestamp='1412073113' post='2565292'] Ok, hope you find what you're after. If I get mine done first I'll give you some feedback. [/quote] Just by way of an update. I eventually decided against defretting a bass. Instead I have a Warwick PS Corvette Ash Fretless (the passive model) on the way from Thomann. I understand that it is one of the last Korean made Pro Series basses, which Thomann are selling off at a good discount. Add that it is B-Stock and the price appears to be a massive steal.

[quote name='Srwu' timestamp='1411991840' post='2564561'] Hi, I'd be really interested to know how this goes if you wouldn't mind sharing how you get on once you take the plunge? I have a Ray 34 which I'm thinking of getting defretted at the Bass Gallery (because it's a lefty and Sterling don't do a lefty fretless factory option). I'd really like to see some before and after pics if you have them. Fwiw, I have also explored the 'spare neck' option with Strings and Things but, although they were very helpful, they basically said they couldn't source a spare neck. Cheers Stuart [/quote] I'll keep you posted. Not sure which way to go yet. I'm basically keeping my eye on the for sale section on here and on EBay for a used fretless Ray 34.....the Ray 34CA FL or even one of the original USA Subs. I think I'd prefer either of those to a new Sub 4, but might end up going that way. I can't justify a new Ray 34CA FL at the moment, although they seem somewhat rare at the moment. Lots of places out of stock. I also looked at replacement necks. You can get a graphite fretless Stingray neck from the States, but they are mucho dinero. I'm in no rush, something will turn up eventually no doubt.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1410635453' post='2551536'] I had The Gallery defret my US SUB some time back and they did a cracking job, I even had them replace the front dot markers with rosewood ones to make them almost invisible and present a cleaner look [/quote] Very nice. Do you mind if I ask how much they charged to do dot replacement?

Pretty sure I am going to go for it. Will be later in the month before I have the requisite funds though. I've contacted the UK distributer (Stings and Things) to ask if getting a Black with Rosewood board is possible (to match my Ray 34). Looking on dealer web sites, you can have black and maple board or walnut, white or red with rosewood. I've cheekily asked if a neck swap is possible. I reckon there's no chance, but worth asking....:-)

Spot on. Thanks for the advice everyone. Really appreciate it. Cheers Jon

[quote name='TheSiberian' timestamp='1410613660' post='2551269'] It could be also needed a special treatment with epoxy or other hard laquer in order to prevent the fretboard to be "eaten" by roundwound strings.[/quote] Does the use of flatwound strings mitigate the need for epoxy etc? Do flatwound strings still cause damage to untreated boards?

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1410610953' post='2551237'] Considering the amount of time and materials, plus security in knowing it won't be a bodge job, it sounds like a fair price to me. [/quote] Yep, I thought the same......but based on nothing more than a gut feeling. Think this is looking like a sensible option to get a fretless bass, of the style that I want, without shelling out lots of beer tokens. Has anyone played a Sub Ray 4? Good, bad or ugly? I'm guessing comparable to something like a VM Squier in quality? How about compared to a Ray 34 or even, dare I say it, a proper Stingray? Cheers Jon

Hi Howie, Good point. I'd not considered the dots being in the wrong place. Not a biggie as you say. I've asked the question about what the fret grooves would be filled with. I assume filling is included in the quoted cost, but will get confirmation. I'll also check on the setup point. If I go ahead I'd get the shop to supply the instrument new as well as do the defret. In my experience a setup can be negotiated, if not included, anyway. Does £90 sound about right for a defret and fill job? Cheers Jon