I'm looking for a 5 string fretless. Brice any good?

[Dubhghaill]

I've got an Agile Intrepid and I'm fairly happy with the build quality of Rondo instruments.

But this fretless is $299: http://www.rondomusic.com/hxb405blackqfl.html

That seems ridiculously cheap, even when you include the shipping to the UK. Anyone have any experience with them?

[Mog]

Not with the fretless. I've heard them on youtube and they sounded ok. I really like some of the Brice stuff, I have the fretted 6 string version of this. The preamps aint all that but pre's are fairly cheap nowadays. I'd say go for it.

[Dubhghaill]

Interesting. The bass sounds nice in the videos on YouTube.
I worked it out, and it seems it will cost the following:
Bass: $299, Case: $52.95, Shipping: $101.38 (That works out to about £290 depending on the exchange rate.)
Import Duty: £10, VAT: £60. Total: £350.

So the question is: Is it worth buying it for £350, knowing that I may have to replace the preamps, or can I find a better 5 string fretless bass for the same price?

Edited October 14, 2011 by Dubhghaill

[Mog]

Well, the thing is, the pre amp is probably as good as what you'll find on a £300 bass anyway. You'd probably pick up a secondhand Yamaha TRB fretless for around £350. Might be worth a look.

[JimBobTTD]

I have an Ibanez SR405 which I am in the process of de-fretting. You can find them for rather little money, the quality is good and you can have a blast de-fretting it yourself. Or the Yamaha TRB idea mentioned by Mog.

I wouldn't buy a cheap and cheerful bass from the US. You end up paying mid-price money for budget gear [i]and [/i]still have to modify it to make it mid-price quality.