Significant Birthday - which bass?

[geoffbyrne]

I have a significant birthday coming up (70).

I'm playing jams & open mics quite a lot and I've just been asked by an up-and-coming Indie band to work with them.

So I'd like to treat myself to a better fretless bass.

I have a Yamaha BBG5A that The Bass Doc took off the fretted fingerboard & put on a lovely piece of ebony. It plays & sounds great since I replaced the single coils with the 'buckers off an RBX375, but it's still a cheap guitar, I'd like something similar with a bit more quality.

Here's a pic before the ebony fingerboard was fitted:



I need:

5 string.

Buckers (2)

no lines on fingerboard.

Dots in proper fretless positions.

Active with a decent pre-amp.

34" scale.

Decent quality.

I'm prepared to spend a max of £650.

Suggestions?

G.

Edited September 14, 2016 by geoffbyrne

[blue]

$650.00 is the sweet spot for a quality used bass. I would look at used G&l, Ibenez or MIJ Fender bass offerings.

Blue

[Conan]

Look out for any used Maruszczyk instruments coming up. However, I've not seen many fretless ones...

For a wee bit more, you could have one made to your specs. That's what I plan to do following my recent "significant" birthday (50th) and once funds become available...

http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/maruszczyk-instruments/mi-bass

Edited September 14, 2016 by Conan

[geoffbyrne]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1473838426' post='3133419']
Look out for any used Maruszczyk instruments coming up. However, I've not seen many fretless ones...

For a wee bit more, you could have one made to your specs. That's what I plan to do following my recent "significant" birthday (50th) and once funds become available...

[url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/maruszczyk-instruments/mi-bass"]http://www.public-pe...ruments/mi-bass[/url]
[/quote]

Looking at the Elwood Europe, 1600 euros is a big chunk more......



G.

[Dan Dare]

Here you go - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfield-bass-guitar-/162201173277?hash=item25c3f17d1d:g:y-8AAOSwknJX19k0."]http://www.ebay.co.u...8AAOSwknJX19k0.[/url]

Pull the frets, fill the slots with Plastic Wood and spend the money on a nice holiday. Many happy returns.

[geoffbyrne]

I was hoping for something constructive....

G.

[geoffbyrne]

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1473845256' post='3133483']
Looking at the Elwood Europe, 1600 euros is a big chunk more......



G.
[/quote]

Having said that, it's absolutely right.

G.

[tauzero]

You probably wouldn't want to spend the £18k that the Bass Gallery wants for the ex-Jack Bruce fretless Thumb NT 5.

[Dan Dare]

Oh, all right. I'll be serious. I always think a Jazz Bass makes a great fretless. The pickup configuration just seems to make the right noise. I'm not saying that just because JP played one. My fretless is a J. However, you really need to go shopping and try some out. What suits me may not be your cup of tea. Have fun.

[pintspiller]

VM Squiers are good. Do they do fretless? My VM Jazz was better than the MIM, so would save you a few quid.

[geoffbyrne]

I've played the Squier and it felt very good. My objection is with the lined ebanol fingerboard. And I'm not sure the side dots are in the correct fretless places.

G.

[Conan]

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1473845256' post='3133483']
Looking at the Elwood Europe, 1600 euros is a big chunk more......



G.
[/quote]

I know... probably still pretty reasonable for what it is mind. But there are a few coming up second hand (although I've not seen a fretless yet).

[mrtcat]

Yamaha BBG5's are a far better instrument than their price tag would suggest. You may well have to take a bit of a financial leap to get anything that is really significantly better. That said I really do like the Maruszczyk and you get a lot of bass for your money.

[Bassassin]

Fretless 5er with humbuckers. I'm automatically going to say Ibanez SR, you should be able to find a very nice used high-end example for your budget. The skinny necks are a bit marmite for some though.

[DarkHeart]

I think I went a bit ott with my significant birthday bass with my new Alpher but I wouldnt swap it for anything!

[geoffbyrne]

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1473957314' post='3134538']
Fretless 5er with humbuckers. I'm automatically going to say Ibanez SR, you should be able to find a very nice used high-end example for your budget. The skinny necks are a bit marmite for some though.
[/quote]

Hadn't really thought of those, Jon, so I must have a look. Wonder if there's any in Guitar Guitar in Glasgow....... Hmmmm.

G.

[andyonbass]

Snap this one up!! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/291464-acg-j-type-fretless-bass/page__fromsearch__1

Edit... sorry that's a 4 . As you were!!

Edited September 16, 2016 by andyonbass

[geoffbyrne]

Alan's work is superb - I played a few at the Moffat Bash, but I'm uncomfortable with flat fingerboards (over & above the fact it's a 4).

G.

Edited September 16, 2016 by geoffbyrne