Entry level fretless basses - suggestions?

[lou24d53]

I've been thinking lately about getting a fretless just for messing around with at home. Been on my mind for a while, but it was fuelled several notches after watching the excellent Paul Simon documentary "Under African Skies" on Saturday night...not like I am expecting to sound anything like Bakithi Kumalo you understand!!

Anyway, I was wondering what 'entry' level fretless basses I should perhaps be looking out for.

The Ibanex SRF series looks like it could be a pretty good starting point. Any other suggestions?

Edited June 16, 2014 by lou24d53

[razze06]

Squier does (did?) a fretless version of their vintage modified jazz. All ready pastoriusized for your delectation

[lou24d53]

Yeah, I saw that, this one here...

[url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=13070311493858"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=13070311493858[/url]

[BassBus]

How much do you want to spend? Yes to the VM Jazz but might be worth your while looking at ESP LTD basses. You get a lot for your money with them. Mind you they will more than likely be made in the same factory as the VM Jazz. Ibanez SRs are always worth a look as well.

[HowieBass]

If you like the single coil sounds of a Jazz then the Squier VM fretless is definitely one to consider as all but the most basic Squiers these days are well regarded. The Ibanez SR370F that you're probably thinking about is probably going to be decently screwed together as well (as I'd bet that it's made in the same Cort factory as the Squier) and has a 3 band eq but you'll not get the single coil sound.

[lou24d53]

I'm probably looking to spend around the £300 - £350 figure, £400 max, I guess.

[DorsetBlue]

The Vintage Jaco copy seems to get favourable comments.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/vintage_vj96mrjp_fretless.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/vintage_vj96mrjp_fretless.htm[/url]

[Myke]

With that budget I bet you could get more than an entry level bass. Can't really help with specific basses though.

[Grissle]

Used MIM Fender Jazz should be easy to track down.

[SpaceChick]

Wunjos will defrett an SR300. They did mine. Plays like a dream and well within your budget.

[HowieBass]

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1402941996' post='2478148']
Wunjos will defrett an SR300. They did mine. Plays like a dream and well within your budget.
[/quote]

The Ibanez SR370F fretless is only £269 new so unless a defret can be done cheaply on a new or used SR300 it'll probably end up costing more...

[geoham]

I've got on beat up fretless you can have for not much cash - I'm in North Lanarkshire like yourself. Drop me an IM if interested.

[3below]

Go a little further £450 and you are into Warwick (German) territory. I am very pleased with mine. At the other end of the scale my Warwick Rockbass corvette 5 string fretless was only £150 s/h. At that money you get an ebony fingerboard and superb build quality.

[lou24d53]

Cheers for all the replies, I'll need to some research and budgeting.

Thanks for your offer geoham, I might be in touch.

[IBWT]

[quote name='DorsetBlue' timestamp='1402934676' post='2478061']
The Vintage Jaco copy seems to get favourable comments.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/vintage_vj96mrjp_fretless.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...jp_fretless.htm[/url]
[/quote]

Owned one once. Killer value for the price. Hell, even if it was twice as expensive it will still be great.

[lou24d53]

The Vintage is looking pretty hard to argue against, I must admit, and a £200 'experiment' is way easier to justify than one at nearly double that.

[bh2]

A friend of mine has a Vintage fretless which I've borrowed for a couple of rehearsals. It's very nice.

Edited June 17, 2014 by bh2

[throwoff]

You can pick up a second hand Warwick Rockbass fretless for silly money.

They are also pretty much the only bass at that price point that will come with an ebony board.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Warwick-Rockbass-Streamer-Fretless-Bass-Guitar-4-String-Natural-Finish-/201107179295?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2ed2ec071f

Edited June 17, 2014 by throwoff

[lou24d53]

That's a good buy indeed, but I think I'd prefer a lined board to be honest for my first crack at fretless as I think it'll be hard enough to get together with it as it is, without adding to it.

[throwoff]

They have side dots, to be honest that is normally enough for most.

[Norris]

A second hand MIM Jazz would be around £250 - and are lined

[muttley]

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1403005096' post='2478712']
A second hand MIM Jazz would be around £250 - and are lined
[/quote]

If they are anything like the US made Jazz fretless basses they have a problem in that the side dots are virtually hidden by the edges of the lines. Side dots on a plain board should, of course, be at the "fretting" position but on the Fender lined board they are just not visible enough to be of any real use.

[lou24d53]

I've decided no more than £300.00 is where I'm wanting to go for a first fretless 'experience'. So far my options appear to be...Squier VM Jazz...v...Vintage Icon V74...v...MIM Jazz...although I'll probably not be doing anything the next month or so until my holiday has been and gone and finances begin to grow again...well, unless something comes up bargainly priced on the 'For Sale' threads!

[Marc S]

I've heard good reports of the Squier VM fretless
Plenty of people seem to be talking up the Vintage bass too

....wish I could try one of those.....

Let us know what you opt for

[flippyfloop]

I maybe selling my Bass Collection fretless soon.
I have a new fretless incoming so will move this on.
It's quite lovely.
Drop me a PM & I'll fire over some pics.