Fretless wanted. Will be my 1st fretless - advice appreciated

[SubsonicSimpleton]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1393887168' post='2385585']
Anyway the fretless is mainly for some experimenting and recording so I really don't want to spend too much money on it. As little as possible.
[/quote]
Cheap P-bass copy that you like the neck profile and weight and tear the frets out yourself - I have a friend who has a fetish for experimental modifications and he feeds his habit with whatever Marlin/Encore etc he can haggle the cash converters staff down to £20-£30 for happy in the knowledge that if it all goes pear shaped it has cost less than an evening in the pub and he can take it down to the park if he fancies a game of cricket or use it for self defense in the event of an unexpected zombie apocalypse.

RE your heavy P cramping your style, theSquier Mike Dirnt Precision is well worth checking out IMHO, very light for a P-bass and the satin finish neck is really easy to get on with, I went to check out the classic vibe range in the music shops in Leeds recently, and although I dislike signature guitars, I picked it up out of curiosity, and felt it was nicer to wear and play than the classic vibe Ps, although finish wasn't as good and the sound was a bit more aggressive(which I kinda liked but YMMV).

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1393892039' post='2385651']
If you can find one, the Ibanez SR300 DXF sounds like it would meet your requirements. I had one a couple of years ago - bought it for £150 and sold it for that a few months later. (there was one on here for sale for £150 also). Mine was very light in weight and had a lined fingerboard, P/J config (reverse P) and a two-band EQ, which made for a wide array of tones. I did try it with chorus and an octave pedal (you have to with a fretless) and it was capable of a Pino-esque vibe, if he ever injected both of his hands with anaesthetic.

The one I had was candy apple red and for some reason the body of text from the auction is here, along with my pics:

[url="http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ibanez-soundgear-sr-300-dxf-fretless-218739699"]http://www.worthpoin...tless-218739699[/url]

Oh, and welcome to Basschat!
[/quote]

This one's a bit more expensive than GA's target price. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBANEZ-SOUNDGEAR-SR-300F-ACTIVE-FRETLESS-BASS-GUITAR-/321343599420?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4ad192333c

Edited March 6, 2014 by Annoying Twit

[Sara SG]

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1394041611' post='2387305']
Cheap P-bass copy that you like the neck profile and weight and tear the frets out yourself - I have a friend who has a fetish for experimental modifications and he feeds his habit with whatever Marlin/Encore etc he can haggle the cash converters staff down to £20-£30 for happy in the knowledge that if it all goes pear shaped it has cost less than an evening in the pub and he can take it down to the park if he fancies a game of cricket or use it for self defense in the event of an unexpected zombie apocalypse.

RE your heavy P cramping your style, theSquier Mike Dirnt Precision is well worth checking out IMHO, very light for a P-bass and the satin finish neck is really easy to get on with, I went to check out the classic vibe range in the music shops in Leeds recently, and although I dislike signature guitars, I picked it up out of curiosity, and felt it was nicer to wear and play than the classic vibe Ps, although finish wasn't as good and the sound was a bit more aggressive(which I kinda liked but YMMV).
[/quote]

Thanks for all your answers. I will spend an evening checking and googling all those models. Will defo consider de-fretting a cheap bass. Dear Subsonic Simpleton - My regular bass IS the Squier Mike Dirnt Precision - its the one in my profile photo here. I have been playing it for 3yrs about 10 gigs a year, on most of my recordings too. I love it. It is heavy though! I have an Epiphone hollow bodied bass which of course is much lighter but not so robust for rock gigs. Wearing the Mike Dirnt bass for hours , low slung, (never sitting down!) does give me back pain, particularly because I have a microphone to negotiaite. But hey - no pain , no gain! Just next bass is unlikely to be a Precision! Any new shape puts different pressure points than the the Mike Dirnt has left. Was really impressed by some small light basses I tried on the Cort stand at the Bass Show. No attractive fretless though

[Dingus]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394284782' post='2389868']
Thanks for all your answers. I will spend an evening checking and googling all those models. Will defo consider de-fretting a cheap bass. Dear Subsonic Simpleton - My regular bass IS the Squier Mike Dirnt Precision - its the one in my profile photo here. I have been playing it for 3yrs about 10 gigs a year, on most of my recordings too. I love it. It is heavy though! I have an Epiphone hollow bodied bass which of course is much lighter but not so robust for rock gigs. Wearing the Mike Dirnt bass for hours , low slung, (never sitting down!) does give me back pain, particularly because I have a microphone to negotiaite. But hey - no pain , no gain! Just next bass is unlikely to be a Precision! Any new shape puts different pressure points than the the Mike Dirnt has left. Was really impressed by some small light basses I tried on the Cort stand at the Bass Show. No attractive fretless though
[/quote]


I just want to point out , Sara, that on just about every model of bass on the market there is a pretty big disparity in the weight between individual examples. Your Mike Dirnt Precision Bass might be a heavy one, but you could well find another identical one that was a pound or even more lighter, and when it comes to bass weights, half a pound either way can make all the difference to whether it feels comfortable or painful to wear for extended periods of time.

The density and therefore weight of wood varies a great deal , and so bass manufacturers cannot really control the final weight of mass produced basses very closely, and two basses made from different parts of the same tree can have very different final weights. That applies to basses in every price range, including very expensive custom-made ones. If there is particular style or model of bass you like, it can be worth shopping around to see if you can find one at a lighter weight, if that is an issue. Some models are inherently heavy and vary between heavy and even heavier, but most have heavier and lighter examples.

[matski]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1393919673' post='2385711']
Try a Westone Thunder fretless... cheap as chips, does the job
[/quote]

As long as it's not a Thunder 1 - had one, was bloody diabolical: awful tone, more neck dive than a Stuka, and was harder to keep in tune than a club singer at chucking out time.

However my first fretless was a Thunder 2A - which was great.

I would buy this if you wanted a Pinoesque type of sound:
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/221220-usa-ebmm-sterling-fretless-ebony-early-bass-with-mutes-reduced/page__p__2385696__hl__fretless__fromsearch__1#entry2385696

Edited March 8, 2014 by matski

[Annoying Twit]

<p>[quote name=&#39;Sara SG&#39; timestamp=&#39;1394284782&#39; post=&#39;2389868&#39;]<br />
Thanks for all your answers. I will spend an evening checking and googling all those models. Will defo consider de-fretting a cheap bass.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dear Subsonic Simpleton - My regular bass IS&nbsp;&nbsp;the Squier Mike Dirnt Precision - its the one in my profile photo here. I have been playing it for 3yrs about 10 gigs a year, on most of my recordings too. I love it. It is heavy though! I have an Epiphone hollow bodied bass which of course is much lighter but not so robust for rock gigs. Wearing the Mike Dirnt bass for hours , low slung, (never sitting down!) does give me back pain, particularly because&nbsp;&nbsp;I have a microphone to negotiaite. But hey - no pain , no gain! Just next bass is unlikely to be a Precision! Any new shape puts different pressure points than the the Mike Dirnt has left. Was really impressed by some small&nbsp;&nbsp;light basses I tried on the Cort stand at the Bass Show. No attractive fretless though <img alt="" class="bbc_emoticon" src="http://basschat.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.png" /><br />
[/quote]</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I don&#39;t know enough about fretless basses to make &#39;recommendations&#39;, but if you&#39;re thinking of defretting a cheap bass, assumedly to try out fretless without spending much, then would a [url=http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm?sid=c64b88d4cb91adff89330645b9ee045a]Harley Benton fretless bass[/url] be an option?&nbsp;</p>
<div id="myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;">&nbsp;</div>

[SubsonicSimpleton]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394284782' post='2389868']
Thanks for all your answers. I will spend an evening checking and googling all those models. Will defo consider de-fretting a cheap bass. Dear Subsonic Simpleton - My regular bass IS the Squier Mike Dirnt Precision - its the one in my profile photo here. I have been playing it for 3yrs about 10 gigs a year, on most of my recordings too. I love it. It is heavy though! I have an Epiphone hollow bodied bass which of course is much lighter but not so robust for rock gigs. Wearing the Mike Dirnt bass for hours , low slung, (never sitting down!) does give me back pain, particularly because I have a microphone to negotiaite. But hey - no pain , no gain! Just next bass is unlikely to be a Precision! Any new shape puts different pressure points than the the Mike Dirnt has left. Was really impressed by some small light basses I tried on the Cort stand at the Bass Show. No attractive fretless though
[/quote]
It is possible that the newer squire Mike Dirnt models are being made with a different body wood than the one you bought, certainly both Mike Dirnts I tried were consistently light, and that model no longer sports the star graphic, so it is quite possible that other elements of the spec were also changed(the slab body seemed thinner than the other 50s Ps) - worth checking out if you have a convenient opportunity - the other lightweight options don't appeal to me that much mainly on the basis of aesthetics, as most modern designs look more dated than the old favourites that have been with us for 50 years or more (to my eye at least).

Good luck with finding a more comfortable solution, it will pay dividends both for general health and the amount of energy you can bring to the stage.

[Mr Fretbuzz]

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1393895541' post='2385668']
Strings definitely make a big difference. Flats for sure, but also think about nylon-coated strings; they have a real organic hum which doesn't seem to come from all-metal strings.
[/quote]

Ooo haven't tried tapewound. I've got la Bella flats on my fretted P. So they are a regular flat covered in plastic? What is the difference in feel and tone? Do you get more of an acoustic or upright sound with tapewounds? I'm interested in my first fretless. I've been looking at the Ibanez SR 370F BBT for about £275. Any love for that guys? maple body and neck with rosewood, active. There's a vid on the tube about how it sounds with round wounds and flats. Flats sound much better IMHO. http://youtu.be/J9PjFor4rgY

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Sara SG]

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1394294963' post='2389998']
As long as it's not a Thunder 1 - had one, was bloody diabolical: awful tone, more neck dive than a Stuka, and was harder to keep in tune than a club singer at chucking out time.

However my first fretless was a Thunder 2A - which was great.

I would buy this if you wanted a Pinoesque type of sound:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/221220-usa-ebmm-sterling-fretless-ebony-early-bass-with-mutes-reduced/page__p__2385696__hl__fretless__fromsearch__1#entry2385696"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2385696[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks for that advice , I was actually looking at some second hand Thunders.

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1394624906' post='2393378']
Would a fretless acoustic be of interest?

I'm looking to sell mine in the near future for a low price, certainly sub £100. It's a cheap instrument, but very good, with a set of flats and the four band pre-amp makes for a variety of acoustic and electric sounds. I'll need to sign up for selling on the forum, even if I don't post an ad for it, but it is one of these, with gig bag...

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb30ntfl_fretless_akustikbass.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...akustikbass.htm[/url]
[/quote]

Thank you but I am not looking for a fretless electro-acoustic just yet . Might add one to the collection in a year or so at next birthday!

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1394303603' post='2390146']
<p></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I don&#39;t know enough about fretless basses to make &#39;recommendations&#39;, but if you&#39;re thinking of defretting a cheap bass, assumedly to try out fretless without spending much, then would a [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm?sid=c64b88d4cb91adff89330645b9ee045a"]Harley Benton fretless bass[/url] be an option?&nbsp;</p>
<div id="myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;">&nbsp;</div>
[/quote]

That looks a great one! Cheap and comes in black !! Thanks you so much. Has gone to top of my list

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1393920786' post='2385722']
Yep, just got one of these from this parish - plays lovely and I suspect, when I get into rehearsals, will have plenty of presence.
[/quote]


is Parish a shop?

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394627249' post='2393418']
is Parish a shop?
[/quote]

I suspect that it's a euphemism for 'here', the BC Marketplace...

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1394287831' post='2389918']
I just want to point out , Sara, that on just about every model of bass on the market there is a pretty big disparity in the weight between individual examples. Your Mike Dirnt Precision Bass might be a heavy one, but you could well find another identical one that was a pound or even more lighter, and when it comes to bass weights, half a pound either way can make all the difference to whether it feels comfortable or painful to wear for extended periods of time.

The density and therefore weight of wood varies a great deal , and so bass manufacturers cannot really control the final weight of mass produced basses very closely, and two basses made from different parts of the same tree can have very different final weights. That applies to basses in every price range, including very expensive custom-made ones. If there is particular style or model of bass you like, it can be worth shopping around to see if you can find one at a lighter weight, if that is an issue. Some models are inherently heavy and vary between heavy and even heavier, but most have heavier and lighter examples.
[/quote]

Thats interesting about even the same models of one bass may weigh differently. And someone else said there is a new Mike Dirnt model that may even be lighter than mine. When I say "heavy", its only after 3yrs of playing the thing have I started getting neck pain. I think thats a combination of things including getting old lol! But the more hours I spend with it slung around my neck the more it worsens. Not really the fault of the bass. I know if I sit down or don't wear it so long the pain reduces. If Im not singing its no problem. I think its not so much weight of the models but the shape sometime - the balance of them. I have narrow shoulders so not much to brace it. Wide straps slip off my shoulders. I have a 30 inch chest and I think most basses are designed for a 40inch chest person! And don't go suggesting shortscale or girl basses anyone.....
Every single drummer I know moans about backpain so I cant complain of the odd niggle. My next bass will be "lighter" though

[Sara SG]

I found this blue one for £76. Mixed reviews. Its light Is it a waste of money? I cant find a local one to try right now - Anyone tried this brand?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/rogue-lx200bf-fretless-series-iii-electric-bass-guitar#productDetail

[Dingus]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394627249' post='2393418']
is Parish a shop?
[/quote]

No, lol, it's the capital city of France.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Dingus

[Dingus]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394627981' post='2393431']
Thats interesting about even the same models of one bass may weigh differently. And someone else said there is a new Mike Dirnt model that may even be lighter than mine. When I say "heavy", its only after 3yrs of playing the thing have I started getting neck pain. I think thats a combination of things including getting old lol! But the more hours I spend with it slung around my neck the more it worsens. Not really the fault of the bass. I know if I sit down or don't wear it so long the pain reduces. If Im not singing its no problem. I think its not so much weight of the models but the shape sometime - the balance of them. I have narrow shoulders so not much to brace it. Wide straps slip off my shoulders. I have a 30 inch chest and I think most basses are designed for a 40inch chest person! And don't go suggesting shortscale or girl basses anyone.....
Every single drummer I know moans about backpain so I cant complain of the odd niggle. My next bass will be "lighter" though
[/quote]

The funny thing about basses and weight, Sara, is that, like I already said, half a pound either way can make all the difference. For most people, up to eight pounds feels very light, eight to nine pounds feels O.K, nine to nine and a half pounds feels noticeably heavier and anything above nine and a half pounds will feel heavy after a prolonged period. If you are shopping round for a new bass it could be worth investing in a little luggage scale to take round the shops with you to weigh individual examples of basses to get an accurate picture of their true weight. If any bass is much over nine pounds then the chances are you will still have a problem with it standing up for a long time at gigs. It's worth mentioning, however, that using a very wide padded strap will help reduce the fatigue of wearing a weighty bass ( or indeed any bass) round your neck. Try and find a strap that is about four inches (or more) wide and it will really help spread the weight across your back and shoulder/ neck more effectively that a narrower strap.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Dingus

[Adrenochrome]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394630013' post='2393475']
I found this blue one for £76. Mixed reviews. Its light Is it a waste of money? I cant find a local one to try right now - Anyone tried this brand?
[url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/rogue-lx200bf-fretless-series-iii-electric-bass-guitar#productDetail"]http://www.musicians...r#productDetail[/url]
[/quote]

No, but it looks VERY like a Tangelwood Rebel - very light okayish basses. I have a trans purple 5-string which is just about good enough to gig with, the pickups are quite weak. I mainly like it because it's a nice trans purple and it's light.

[Adrenochrome]

FWIW I don't think any bass guitar should be so heavy and/or unergonomic as to give the player pain in normal circumstances. Just my opinion of course.

[Dave Vader]

I have a black and maple fretless P I am thinking of moving on at some point, I defretted it myself a few years ago, and would shift it for peanuts if it went.
It does weight roughly the same as a small island however, since it's an old Hondo, and made of plywood (possibly ply-lead) used to get a fairly decent Pino-esque noise with it in an 80s trib band I was in for a bit.

Point being, defretting is very easy, and cheap basses are very cheap.

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1394631522' post='2393495']
The funny thing about basses and weight, Sara, is that, like I already said, half a pound either way can make all the difference. For most people, up to eight pounds feels very light, eight to nine pounds feels O.K, nine to nine and a half pounds feels noticeably heavier and anything above nine and a half pounds will feel heavy after a prolonged period. If you are shopping round for a new bass it could be worth investing in a little luggage scale to take round the shops with you to weigh individual examples of basses to get an accurate picture of their true weight. If any bass is much over nine pounds then the chances are you will still have a problem with it standing up for a long time at gigs. It's worth mentioning, however, that using a very wide padded strap will help reduce the fatigue of wearing a weighty bass ( or indeed any bass) round your neck. Try and find a strap that is about four inches (or more) wide and it will really help spread the weight across your back and shoulder/ neck more effectively that a narrower strap.
[/quote]

Straps - I spent £29 on a wide padded strap. About 4 inches wide at the shoulder. Its useless. Jutts out beyond my narrow shoulders by an inch and this falls off all the time. Had to go back to my old strap. These straps only work for men/women with broad shoulders.

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1394635443' post='2393564']
I have a black and maple fretless P I am thinking of moving on at some point, I defretted it myself a few years ago, and would shift it for peanuts if it went.
It does weight roughly the same as a small island however, since it's an old Hondo, and made of plywood (possibly ply-lead) used to get a fairly decent Pino-esque noise with it in an 80s trib band I was in for a bit.

Point being, defretting is very easy, and cheap basses are very cheap.
[/quote]

Are you based in London? any pics of the bass?

[Sara SG]

[quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1394631636' post='2393497']
No, but it looks VERY like a Tangelwood Rebel - very light okayish basses. I have a trans purple 5-string which is just about good enough to gig with, the pickups are quite weak. I mainly like it because it's a nice trans purple and it's light.
[/quote]

purple nice! I have a Tanglewood acoustic and very happy with it

[Dingus]

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394809968' post='2395500']
Straps - I spent £29 on a wide padded strap. About 4 inches wide at the shoulder. Its useless. Jutts out beyond my narrow shoulders by an inch and this falls off all the time. Had to go back to my old strap. These straps only work for men/women with broad shoulders.
[/quote]

I am sincerely sorry, Sara, if you spent that money on a strap as a result of my recommendation.

In that case, maybe something like the Comfort Strapp would be more appropriate. A lot of players swear by these for reducing the apparent weight of heavy basses, and they are slightly less wide :

http://www.comfortstrapp.com/new/

Maybe you could sell the strap that is too wide for you on the For Sale section of Basschat. People on this site are always on the look out for wide straps.