zawinul Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Dear Bass Chat i'm a new user, old bass player! Used to own a Wal fretless in 80's sold it (biggest regret of my life!), now looking to get another decent fretless but my budget at present not up to £3000-3500! At present I have a Squire vintage fretless with Bad ass bridge, Its ok I guess but passive, not very inspiring, so want to treat myself to a decent bass up to £2000 (hopefully less!) [b]Do any of you peeps know of a bass that has very fast neck with narrow string spacing 16 -16.5, lined fretless, active, I'm looking for punchy tone, like a Wal, but with decent growl, don't want muddy sounding crap, very crisp please!!?[/b] It would seem to me having done research that 5 string basses usually have narrower string spacing ANYWAY,? so that could be a solution, strung E,A,D,G,C, don;t want low B, too low for me! So I've looked at: Status - wonderful narrow fast necks, headless, lovely, pricey, graphite neck = nice punchy tone with good highs £2500! Sandberg - difficult getting any info on string spacing, and what does it sounds like? £1500 Roscoe- Looks and sounds nice expensive, not sure about spacing > £2200 Mayones - Look and sound ace, spacing? £1600 - 2000 Overwater- does do narrow strings, sounds very smooth but is it punchy enough? £2200 Musicman - as far as I see none in the UK, so can't fond out much about these. £1600 Spector - Dittp Musicman, are these any good (ca get a Euro for £1500) So my question is has anyone experience with any of the above as fretless (or otherwise)... I know there is no substitute for a Wal and may even end up getting one, but is there ANYTHING out there thats what I want (can you read my mind) I want quality, playability, light small body, fast action, narrow neck, smooth as butter with zing!!!! Any good suggestions other than above? Thanks for listening I hope you can help!!!!! Quote
ezbass Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Ibanez GWB35 - lined, narrow spacing, fast neck, midrange rich tone, lightweight. Quote
zawinul Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 Can you for strings so as to go from E to C? Quote
BassBus Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 I had a GWB35 for a while and had it strung E-C. It sounded so much better when I put the low B back on. Tone was a bit thin E-C. Status fivers are usually 18mm spacing. Spectors fivers are 35 inch scale if that's important to you. I get a fairly punchy tone from my Overwater. It has an ebony fingerboard which probably helps. Quote
White Cloud Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 A word to the wise my good fellow...you need to talk to Alan from ACG, I am certain he could build you an instrument that would meet your criteria. Alan builds killer fretless basses with a filter based preamp that would make a Wal blush...and at your budget. Quote
alembic1989 Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Ibanez GWB1 ..if you can find one...totally wicked. 16.5mm spacing. Fast playing...growls. Also sings. Quote
Bass Culture Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Roscoe's are fabulous but, seriously, White Cloud's suggestion - contact Alan at ACG and give him your requirements. He will be able to build you something that is everything you are looking for and probably more. Quote
zawinul Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1431551514' post='2772610'] A word to the wise my good fellow...you need to talk to Alan from ACG, I am certain he could build you an instrument that would meet your criteria. Alan builds killer fretless basses with a filter based preamp that would make a Wal blush...and at your budget. [/quote] I've never heard of this company, just seen the site, they look amazing! Demo's available? Quote
Dazed Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) I agree with the ACG comments. Really well crafted, good value and quality instruments. You might find a used Rob Allen in your budget, I'm not sure on the string spacing. Might not have the right growl? Warwicks are 16.5mm on the standard 5 strings. Definately growly and loads of choice. Some of them aren't too heavy Alembic? Pedulla? Zon? I think there's a Vinny on eBay. Not to everyones taste Modulus? Sei? Spoilt for choice Edited May 13, 2015 by Dazed Quote
zawinul Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 [quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1431554761' post='2772657'] I agree with the ACG comments. Really well crafted, good value and quality instruments. You might find a used Rob Allen in your budget, I'm not sure on the string spacing. Might not have the right growl? Warwicks are 16.5mm on the standard 5 strings. Definately growly and loads of choice. Some of them aren't too heavy Alembic? Pedulla? Zon? I think there's a Vinny on eBay. Not to everyones taste Modulus? Sei? Spoilt for choice [/quote] I think all those you mention are way over £3000 or even more!! Pedulla look lovely but expensive!! 2nd hand maybe!! Quote
Dazed Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Yes they are new, i should've added on the used market. Quote
ezbass Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 Rob Allens are quite widely spaced (19mm I think) but they don't feel it; weird. I love mine. Quote
Happy Jack Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 http://basschat.co.uk/topic/258779-status-streamline-fretless-5-surf-green-as-new-l1050/page__pid__2736555#entry2736555 Quote
tauzero Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 Peavey Cirrus? One thing to watch out for with 5-strings is that some are 35" scale, so you need to decide whether that will be OK for you. And another thing to think of is that as you're after a lined fretless, defretting a fretted bass is also an option. Quote
eude Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1431547853' post='2772562'] Dear Bass Chat i'm a new user, old bass player! Used to own a Wal fretless in 80's sold it (biggest regret of my life!), now looking to get another decent fretless but my budget at present not up to £3000-3500! At present I have a Squire vintage fretless with Bad ass bridge, Its ok I guess but passive, not very inspiring, so want to treat myself to a decent bass up to £2000 (hopefully less!) [b]Do any of you peeps know of a bass that has very fast neck with narrow string spacing 16 -16.5, lined fretless, active, I'm looking for punchy tone, like a Wal, but with decent growl, don't want muddy sounding crap, very crisp please!!?[/b] It would seem to me having done research that 5 string basses usually have narrower string spacing ANYWAY,? so that could be a solution, strung E,A,D,G,C, don;t want low B, too low for me! So I've looked at: Status - wonderful narrow fast necks, headless, lovely, pricey, graphite neck = nice punchy tone with good highs £2500! Sandberg - difficult getting any info on string spacing, and what does it sounds like? £1500 Roscoe- Looks and sounds nice expensive, not sure about spacing > £2200 Mayones - Look and sound ace, spacing? £1600 - 2000 Overwater- does do narrow strings, sounds very smooth but is it punchy enough? £2200 Musicman - as far as I see none in the UK, so can't fond out much about these. £1600 Spector - Dittp Musicman, are these any good (ca get a Euro for £1500) So my question is has anyone experience with any of the above as fretless (or otherwise)... I know there is no substitute for a Wal and may even end up getting one, but is there ANYTHING out there thats what I want (can you read my mind) I want quality, playability, light small body, fast action, narrow neck, smooth as butter with zing!!!! Any good suggestions other than above? Thanks for listening I hope you can help!!!!! [/quote] As others have already said, try ACG. As long as you don't go crazy with your specs you should be fine to get something to your requirements for your budget, easy Eude Quote
Rumple Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 SR5's have 17.5mm string spacing. I had the Overwater Perception 5 I owned fretted in the end as it didn't really wow me as a fretless. It does sound like it's at least worth you speaking to ACG, I had one of his filter based pre amps, a very powerful tone shaping tool indeed. Quote
zawinul Posted May 14, 2015 Author Posted May 14, 2015 Lots of people have recommended ACG, does anyone actually own one!? Theres only one demo online, it sounds nice but I would love to hear more before I ordered! Sounds like he could built me a short scale fretless though for my short stubby fingers!!! Quote
Rumple Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 Try [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/140476-the-acg-thread/page__st__150__p__2675621__hl__acg__fromsearch__1#entry2675621"]this[/url] thread Quote
BigRedX Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 Are you sure you want high C? My personal experience with fretless basses strung E-C is that the highest string was always thin and weedy sounding in comparison to the others. Quote
Rumple Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 I've played a couple of ACG's one had a asymmetrical neck that was quite comfortable. Quote
eude Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 I have a couple of ACGs, have owned 3 others and have 2 on the way. I'm having a 31.5" 4 string built right now which should be ready soon and have something a bit special on the back burner. There's lots of samples and demos here >> http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/category/media/ Eude Quote
zawinul Posted May 14, 2015 Author Posted May 14, 2015 [quote name='eude' timestamp='1431600547' post='2772972'] I have a couple of ACGs, have owned 3 others and have 2 on the way. I'm having a 31.5" 4 string built right now which should be ready soon and have something a bit special on the back burner. There's lots of samples and demos here >> http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/category/media/ Eude [/quote] I like the sound of the 31.5 inch!! What if I may ask is a decent price for an ACG, obviously it will depend on woods etc, whats an average? Quote
zawinul Posted May 14, 2015 Author Posted May 14, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1431600348' post='2772968'] Are you sure you want high C? My personal experience with fretless basses strung E-C is that the highest string was always thin and weedy sounding in comparison to the others. [/quote] You may be right! I've never tired a bass with a high C, I have tried low B, and that always seems a bit muffle!! 4 string probably is enough really, look at Jaco, Percy Jones and Mick Karn!! Quote
eude Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1431608797' post='2773140'] I like the sound of the 31.5 inch!! What if I may ask is a decent price for an ACG, obviously it will depend on woods etc, whats an average? [/quote] A Standard Series 4 or 5 string starts at £1100 >> http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/standard-basses/standard-specification/ A Custom goes from £1800 up >> http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/basses/custom-specification/ Standards include some limited options, and a non angled headstock, a Custom would come with more choice of woods etc. Both specs are available in 31.5" scale. Eude Quote
zawinul Posted May 14, 2015 Author Posted May 14, 2015 [quote name='eude' timestamp='1431609185' post='2773148'] A Standard Series 4 or 5 string starts at £1100 >> [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/standard-basses/standard-specification/"]http://www.acguitars...-specification/[/url] A Custom goes from £1800 up >> [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/basses/custom-specification/"]http://www.acguitars...-specification/[/url] Standards include some limited options, and a non angled headstock, a Custom would come with more choice of woods etc. Both specs are available in 31.5" scale. Eude [/quote] Sounds pretty reasonable for what you get! How easy/fast are they to play say compared to a fender Jazz which is what I'm used to? Certainly sound wise they are perfect, nice punchy sound ! Quote
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