Finding an unlined fretless

[monkey_dancer]

Hey,

I've been thinking about getting a new fretless for a while because while I love how my vigier plays I don't totally love how it looks and active electronics aren't really my thing.

Problem is it doesn't seem like there's a lot out there in terms of passive unlined fretless basses. I would just get a fender but they're all lined and I hate the look of lined fretless fingerboards.

So anyone got any good tips other than endlessly watching the classifieds for something to come up? Passive, simple and classic looks, unlined fingerboard. Budget is around £1000 probably, I'd rather go lower but could do more for the right instrument potentially.

Thanks!

[bartelby]

When I was looking towards the end of last year I was surprised by the lack of new unlined fretlesses.
You could get a £200 Stagg and then there was nothing until you got to £1500 or so, apart from the Ibanez Portamento.

[Trueno]

How about a MIM fender or something similar and buy an unlined neck separately. I fitted an unlined Status neck to a P bass once.

[Bass_Guardian]

I also am struggling to find a decent unlined fretless under £800

[nige1968]

Warwicks are unlined by default, as was the Tony Franklin if you can find one. Old Japanese fretless Fenders come up from time to time too.

Edited May 22, 2017 by nige1968

[mark76]

Eastwood makes a copy of the original Ampeg fretless bass that would be in your price range

https://www.eastwoodguitars.com/collections/bass/products/eub-1

[GreeneKing]

[quote name='mark76' timestamp='1495448110' post='3303722']
Eastwood makes a copy of the original Ampeg fretless bass that would be in your price range

[url="https://www.eastwoodguitars.com/collections/bass/products/eub-1"]https://www.eastwood.../products/eub-1[/url]



[/quote]

Good shout!

[therealting]

I have an unlined Revelation P that's actually very good. Entwhistle pickup and plays and sounds great.

[mark76]

https://www.revelationguitars.co.uk/guitar/rpb-65-fretless/

There you go. Two options for well under £800

Edited May 22, 2017 by mark76

[Grahambythesea]

Ibanez SRF700 or Aria FEB (semi) both come unlined.

[mr zed]

This is what I would be going for (I have no association with the seller).

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/302520-fender-tony-franklin-fretless-p-bass-sunburst/page__p__3294259__hl__tony%20franklin__fromsearch__1#entry3294259

[monkey_dancer]

Cheers for the suggestions everyone!

I've definitely thought of putting one together before but to be honest I can't be bothered and I'd rather buy something nice straight off.

The eastwood design kind of appeals to me but it doesn't look as if they're easy to find.

Is the revelation stuff really decent? Might be an option if it's good for the money. I've seen some of their guitars before and always been a bit suspicious because of the very low prices.

That Tony Franklin though...

[therealting]

[quote name='monkey_dancer' timestamp='1495471948' post='3303984']
Is the revelation stuff really decent? Might be an option if it's good for the money. I've seen some of their guitars before and always been a bit suspicious because of the very low prices.[/quote]

If it helps, I have two pre-CBS Precisions, two Canadian Dingwalls (a Super P5 and a Super J5), a Sadowsky, a Conklin, and a couple CIJ Fenders. My Revelation fretless P weighs 8.5lb, plays nicely with a low action and sounds very decent.

[monkey_dancer]

Good to know! Thanks that's helpful.

Might have to see if I can find somewhere to try one if possible. Or just save the money and take a gamble.

[Grangur]

The Revelation web site is good for showing where you can buy one locally. Who actually has one in stock will no doubt be another matter.

[therealting]

If you're in SE London, you're welcome to come try mine out.

[prowla]

I have an unlined fretless P-bass I made from parts; it's got a Mighty Mite neck, which is rather good.

[dannybuoy]

Surely a used Tony Franklin like this ticks all your boxes?

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/302520-fender-tony-franklin-fretless-p-bass-sunburst



I just picked up a lovely Godin A4 with an unlined board for just over £1K new, but it might not be what you were looking for style wise though. If you were after passive only, the preamp only affects the piezo, so it's effectively a passive bass if you solo the magnetic pickup!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3zYPr3vMpNc

Edited May 22, 2017 by dannybuoy

[philw]

I suspect Adrian Maruszczyk will have something that suits.

I rather like this one: https://www.public-peace.de/bass-of-the-month/2139-public-peace-proudly-presents-the-bass-of-the-month-march-2017

P

[TheRev]

I'm currently having lustful thoughts about this.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/SRH500F-NNF/electric-basses/ibanez-srh500f-nnf-fretless-bass-in-natural-browned-burst-flat?LGWCODE=SRH500FNNF;56375;6335&gclid=CO-TmtDwhdQCFUg8GwodQSUPLw

Though it looks like it has dark fretlines?

Or have a look around the build threads, I'm sure one of those blokes could make you something that falls within your budget.

[monkey_dancer]

I saw one of those ibanez basses in a shop and it does have dark lines. I quite liked the look of the fingerboard though, less a fan of the rest of the bass lol

[Geek99]

There's a couple for sale right now in the marketplace, budget depending of course

[monkey_dancer]

Yeah I've enquired about the Tony Franklin because it's beautiful. Keeping my eyes on the marketplace in general while I look, you never know when something cool will show up.

[geoffbyrne]

Or....... for that sort of money you could go to one of John Shuker's courses and build your own.......

G.

[Hutton]

I have a Cort B4 Artisan unlined Fretless. It has an ash body, Bartolini pickups and preamp as well as Hipshot tuners. All this for £400. For the money it is a great bass, especially if you can pick up a used one, and well worth a look.

Edited May 23, 2017 by Hutton