Which 5 string fretless

[Wooks]

Any suggestions on a 5 string fretless make and model? I haven't got a huge budget around £250 for my birthday at the end of the month. Had a look on Fleebay and I found these 2
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160227939701&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006"]EBay 5 string Fretless 1[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310038157963&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=021"]EBay 5 string fretless 2[/url]

Or importing one from Germany like:
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb500fltbk_5string_fretless_ebass.htm?partner_id=25293"]5 string fretless 1[/url]
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rockbass_streamer_std_5_f_bs.htm"]5 string fretless 2[/url]
Other than these I can't seem to find many others that are in my price range
So I was hoping that some kind person in bass chat land had any other ideas??

Edited April 12, 2008 by Wooks

[queenofthedepths]

Are you dead set on an unlined fretless or is that just a coincidence? I prefer them unlined but my fully fretless actually has lines...

[Wooks]

It was a coincidence, I never noticed it really!! I would prefer it to be unlined. To be honest it doesn't look like a fretless if it's lined, call me a traditionalist??? I know it's going to make it harder learning how to play it, but I like a challenge!! So which one?????

[queenofthedepths]

I don't think it's harder - URBs don't have lines, do they? Cheap fretless 5s seem really hard to come by so I'm lucky I got mine when I did (£345 on here) - your best bet might be to just de-fret one! You'll have to put up with the lines if you do that though

[Wooks]

Out of the ones I've found which would you go for?

[markytbass]

[quote]your best bet might be to just de-fret one! You'll have to put up with the lines if you do that though[/quote]

+1 on the defret, it would give you a bit more of a choice and you may even get a better bass for your money. As for the fret lines, if you used strips of ebony or rosewood to fill the fret slots (or use a wood dye on lighter wood) the lines may not be that noticable. On the other hand it depends on the type inlays (if any) the fretboard has and if you want those. In answer to your question I would plumb for the Rock bass, like this one and de-fret it. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Rockbass-Corvette-5-String-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ320235839033QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Rockbass-Cor...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

Edited April 12, 2008 by markytbass

[Wooks]

I've just found this quirky looking thing on EBay and was wondering if anybody has ever seen one and if so what are they like?
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200215594139&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010"]Weird Bass!![/url]

[queenofthedepths]

"NEW, very unique patented shape. Very popular instrument nowdays"
Sounds like a bit of a contradiction?? And they seem to have several of these supposedly unique basses... and it claims it has a solid body?! Personally I wouldn't touch that!
I've told my mate (spoobass) who has my old fretless 5 to message you

[Russ]

Out of the ones you linked to, the Warwick Rockbass Streamer will be head and shoulders over the others. Just DON'T go for the Harley Benton... absolute sh!te in my experience.

[dmz]

I'd go for the Warwick too.....

You know what you're getting with Warwick - I used to have Streamer Standard Fretless and it had a lovely neck. With the Warwick you could readily upgrade the pickups and maybe even stick on a badass bridge at a later date.

Good luck in your hunt !

[jon999]

this prob doesnt help you but im aslo looking for a 5 string bass with about the same budget. i was also looking at the 5 string warwick im also looking at a yamaha RBX 375 and a fender squire delux jazz. im not sure if you can get the squire in a fretless or not but it could be worth looking at.

jon

[Count Bassy]

Part of me wants to say that at £90 and £100 respectively can't you really go wrong with either of the first two (it costs me over £90 for a tank of diesel these days).

The other part of me wants to say that at these prices they've just got be crap, but what with far eastern manufacturing that doesn't always hold true anymore!

Just read this and realise that it doesn't actually help much, so I'd also say that at least with the Warwick you're getting a known quantity, and something you could sell on if required, even if it does cost 3 times as much!

[BigRedX]

Are you sure you want 5 strings?

I've not been totally convinced by the low B on any fretless I've played. Most of my fretless Basses are 4 stringers and the 5s are tuned E-C which for me is far more useful.

I don't get confused when switching from conventional B-E 5-string fretted to E-C 5-string fretless or 4-string fretless because what I play on them is so different to what I play on the fretted basses.