zawinul

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1445795718' post='2894278'] A sweepable mid-freq control (like the East Mid Sweep) or an ACG/East filter based-preamp may help you find the tone you're looking for. I've had both on my ACG fretless (at different times) and both offer much more flexibility and control over voicing the tone to your taste than a regular fixed 2 or 3-band eq. Particulary effective for fretless. [/quote] I think this is what i'm looking for!!! is that available as a standard though, i doubt it is, so it means big bucks but still prolly worth it!!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1445766724' post='2893915'] And there's one in the for sale section right now (yeah, it's mine ). However, why not try an outboard active circuit with the VM fretless already owned? No 'aggravation' fitting an onboard one, much reduced outlay and an easier sell if it doesn't suit. Someone (not me) is selling a Sadowsky one right now [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/271601-sadowsky-pre-amp-pedal-with-the-di-output/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url] you may find that an active fretless really isn't what your ears are craving. [/quote] bare in mind I had a Wal custom in 80's so I know I want an active!! I'm a bit funny in that I don;t really like the 'average' tone of a fretless, ie that kind of dull mid range thud, I don;t want my bass to sound like a double bass ( which I have also owned along with a Wal)... I want a bright punchy tone, but with fretless neck.... I know even my Wal wasn;t so great for this... I want a kind of raspy sound, hard to describe... I think actives will get me there.. plus there are pedals like the EHX soul food which is lovely as a subtle boost... I think after all this searching the great Alan can build me something that will get me closest to what I hear in my head!! new Rotosound Jazzmaster strings too....bright I want bright!!!!

[quote name='timhiggins' timestamp='1445759286' post='2893838'] what about the squier v.m.j. fretless ,they are great bass's and at that money you can always stick a preamp in it personally i would have an outboard pre instead ! [/quote] I've got one! It good I'll keep it just want something active, more sustain etc but I agree excellent basses for the money! I put a bad ass bridge on it. Maybe I will stick a.preamp in it!! Still lust for custom though

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1445757120' post='2893821'] Zawinul, it's a fact of life that your chosen favourite supplier, Fender is a mass market manufacturer of instruments. A reality for such companies is that if they are going to make a model of bass they need to know they can sell them in considerable numbers. You've said yourself that active fretless is a bit of a niche weapon of choice so Fender making one simply isn't going to happen at a low price. You simply need to get over your prejudice against anything that isn't a Fender. Besides, why not be honest about your prejudice and not attack all the other perfectly good instruments that other folk enjoy playing? [/quote] yeah all true, like I said I dont mean to 'attack' other basses!! Just finding what I want a stuggle and having a bit of a rant!! I having nothing against any bass, we all have preferences. I actually have a warwick and was considering getting another to defret, but would rather not endure the hassle generally there are fewer options with fretless, that's a fact. . for the money a hand built bass by AGC is going to always be better than anything I may find mass produced so will probably go that way...tired of looking

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1445699515' post='2893562'] Are you watching that one on ebay too? [/quote] I was but the bass has now been mysterioaly taken down! I do hate ebay!! An active mm sterling with graphite neck appeals as does a status in the meantime alan is calling

I'll check a MM but the necks are quite thick. I want the thinest neck possible, narrow string spacing, only a custom builder can really do want I want I'm a picky git!!

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1445629046' post='2893040'] Try one and find all the claims about how great graphite necks are blown out the water. Their steinberger necks are very good however. So its not the brand, its moer the design of the jazz necks. [/quote] I was about to try and get a fender jazz with moses neck, are they really crap, what are the issues with them? Would love a status, series 3 fretless. no finds ,one day!!

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1445519462' post='2892087'] This? [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/sterling-by-musicman-ray34ca-fl-black/96664"]http://www.gak.co.uk...-fl-black/96664[/url] [/quote] Yeah looked at these , are they active? would need to demo, no stores seem to have them...played a fretted, nice punchy sound

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1445527591' post='2892178'] Well you've just described my favourite sub-£1000 fretless bass as 'vile', so there's probably nothing I can add to this thread. [/quote] sorry not meant to offend anyone maybe I got a dud one!! i played a fender tony franklin recently and thought that was awful too, same shop i'm not sure they know how to properly set up fretless basses, its not always easy!! i know i've have to cave it and either get Alan to make me one of his beauties or bite the bullet save the pennies and get the Wal I lost... actually sounds like a a song: The Wal I lost was complete Wal, the Wal I lost etc and I'll never never never Wal again!!

some good advice here... I know its the place for bass

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1445453570' post='2891652'] Get a passive fretless Fender and put on John East Retro preamp in it. Sorted. [/quote] yeah thats an option, but I just wish I could just go out and buy something......

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1445452420' post='2891641'] Active fretless bass standard Series £1210.00 so not the £2K mark. [/quote] I know I will have to succumb at some point :-)

I've spent weeks, no probably months researching buying my next fretless bass and hit bricks walls everywhere Fender made fretless basses, but no longer make active fretless's!!! wtf....so I could get one and fit actives, pain... Musicman £1800 too expensive Sterling £800, no where to try one near me Rickenbacker no longer make fretlesses Ibanez portamento are vile as are ESP, hated then when I tried.... Warwick, no lines on basses and so it go;s on.... so few options I will probably have to go custom, Sandbery, ACG, etc ,but I don't want to sopend £2000 on a bass, just don;t have that kind of money but I sort of resent having to do this as fretted basses come at all prices, finishes etc O know fretless is a minority but I would have thought one company would make a decent lined active fretless IF anyone knows what Im missing please tell me!!!!!!! nothing on ebay, nothing on basschat, nothing in bassdirect....,,,,,

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1443477551' post='2875168'] Yes weekend 12/13. [/quote] Cheers may have to make the trip to Scotland before that to try a fretless, looking for a particular sound, yours have it!!!

I think its time i visited the bass show!!

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1443445492' post='2874707'] There are only two Uber fretless one in Germany and the one I have so the chances are not great I am afraid. I am however building one for stock and the to have at the London show. [/quote] I would love to try out one of your fretless's, when is the London show please, is that next March?

[quote name='mal2404' timestamp='1441891721' post='2862669'] I think that it really is a language issue more so than anything else. From my own experience, my emails were rather long, detailed and seeking suggestions/ advice in the main. Mostly the responses were short, though provided the information needed perfectly (minimalist ) I think, he's a very busy man with a lot of orders at the same time (from this forum alone) and that his English is limited. [/quote] Yeah i think you are probably right!! Still unsure of whether to order an ACG which has pre-amps i like or a cheaper but equally well built Adrian bass!

Very nice, i've emailed Adrian a few times and he always seems quite grumpy and not that helpful as I keep asking questions about narrow necks and narrow string spaces!!

a walnut ricky

Thanks for all the input!! Getting close to ordering from Alan, not sure whats putting me off as I'm not finding much joy trying to actually buy a fretless 'off the shelf' !

Wow would love to, I fear you live far away from me in Bournemouth!!