lou24d53 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razze06 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Squier does (did?) a fretless version of their vintage modified jazz. All ready pastoriusized for your delectation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 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] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 I'm probably looking to spend around the £300 - £350 figure, £400 max, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 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] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 With that budget I bet you could get more than an entry level bass. Can't really help with specific basses though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grissle Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Used MIM Fender Jazz should be easy to track down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Wunjos will defrett an SR300. They did mine. Plays like a dream and well within your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 [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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Cheers for all the replies, I'll need to some research and budgeting. Thanks for your offer geoham, I might be in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBWT Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 [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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throwoff Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throwoff Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 They have side dots, to be honest that is normally enough for most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 A second hand MIM Jazz would be around £250 - and are lined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muttley Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 [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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lou24d53 Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippyfloop Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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