Short Scale Lined Fretless?

[Frank Blank]

Does anyone own, have experience with, or can recommend a short scale (30” or less) lined fretless bass, electric or acoustic?

[ikay]

A Rob Allen Mouse is a fabulous little bass (30" scale) if an acoustic/upright like tone is what you're after. I love mine, it's a cheeky little thing, the sort of bass that makes you smile when you pick it up!

There are two for sale on BC at the moment which is a very rare occurrence:

 

Edited April 28, 2018 by ikay

[Frank Blank]

5 hours ago, ikay said:

A Rob Allen Mouse is a fabulous little bass (30" scale) if an acoustic/upright like tone is what you're after. I love mine, it's a cheeky little thing, the sort of bass that makes you smile when you pick it up!

There are two for sale on BC at the moment which is a very rare occurrence:

 

Oh sweet baby Jesus and the saints...

[alyctes]

There is always the fretless bass uke as an option

[Frank Blank]

39 minutes ago, alyctes said:

There is always the fretless bass uke as an option

As yet I've not found one I got on with.

[Grahambythesea]

I expect Chowny would build you one if they don’t already do one as stock.

[Frank Blank]

They do the SWB-1 in fretless but I would prefer a lined neck and I’m not sure I like any of the SWB-1 finishes. If Chowny did a lined fretless version of the SWB Pro I’d order one in an instant.

[Maude]

On 28/04/2018 at 11:39, ikay said:

A Rob Allen Mouse......... 

 

A little off topic so I apologise, but what's the idea with the extended fingerboard under the E string? Is it meant as a thumbrest or just design? I'm curious

[Frank Blank]

5 minutes ago, Maude said:

A little off topic so I apologise, but what's the idea with the extended fingerboard under the E string? Is it meant as a thumbrest or just design? I'm curious

I believe it to be a thumb rest.

[Chownybass]

 

15 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

They do the SWB-1 in fretless but I would prefer a lined neck and I’m not sure I like any of the SWB-1 finishes. If Chowny did a lined fretless version of the SWB Pro I’d order one in an instant.

Howdoo!

Lined / Unlined / Fret board Markers / Clean fretboard / Side dots lined up with frets / Side dots lined up between frets.

Everybody prefers some DIFFERENT combination of those. 

The way we manage fretless is... 

We make fretted basses, and then order a bunch of fretless necks. As the basses are bolt-on, this means if somebody orders a fretless bass - we just have to take it into the workshop and switch the neck.

We opted to make clean board, no fretlines, side dots lined up *on* the fret. Because this seemed to be the most requested option. 

We can't make a half dozen variations of this, because for the factory guys it means constantly changing the jig on the machines and is not practical for economy of scale. It's a constant negotiation with our factory guys on the sizes of runs we make (typically we need at least 6 of each colour, and to make at least 24 of any particular bass. This is less of a problem now than when we started however as we typically order about 50 - 75 basses at a time now)

You can order any of our SWB basses (Swb Pro or SWB-1 active or passive) with a fretless neck on. It's worth noting that the fretless necks are one piece (so if you put one on an SWB Pro you are losing the 5 piece maple and walnut neck). It's also worth mentioning that the fretless necks do not have a colour matched headstock (for obvious reasons)

Hope that all makes sense. 

That said. Fretless SWB is awesome. You should all buy one. Just ask @Happy Jack ;-) 

 

 

[naxos10]

ACG 30.5" short scale bases are excellent so I would suggest having a chat with Alan Cringean.

[Grahambythesea]

Why not just buy the bass you want and ask your neighbourhood luthier to take the frets out and put in line markers. Sorted.

[Frank Blank]

51 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said:

Why not just buy the bass you want and ask your neighbourhood luthier to take the frets out and put in line markers. Sorted.

This is an option I am seriously considering.

[Frank Blank]

On 4/30/2018 at 07:59, Chownybass said:

Howdoo!

Lined / Unlined / Fret board Markers / Clean fretboard / Side dots lined up with frets / Side dots lined up between frets.

Everybody prefers some DIFFERENT combination of those. 

The way we manage fretless is... 

We make fretted basses, and then order a bunch of fretless necks. As the basses are bolt-on, this means if somebody orders a fretless bass - we just have to take it into the workshop and switch the neck.

We opted to make clean board, no fretlines, side dots lined up *on* the fret. Because this seemed to be the most requested option. 

We can't make a half dozen variations of this, because for the factory guys it means constantly changing the jig on the machines and is not practical for economy of scale. It's a constant negotiation with our factory guys on the sizes of runs we make (typically we need at least 6 of each colour, and to make at least 24 of any particular bass. This is less of a problem now than when we started however as we typically order about 50 - 75 basses at a time now)

You can order any of our SWB basses (Swb Pro or SWB-1 active or passive) with a fretless neck on. It's worth noting that the fretless necks are one piece (so if you put one on an SWB Pro you are losing the 5 piece maple and walnut neck). It's also worth mentioning that the fretless necks do not have a colour matched headstock (for obvious reasons)

Hope that all makes sense. 

That said. Fretless SWB is awesome. You should all buy one. Just ask @Happy Jack ;-) 

I totally missed this post somehow, even though it answers all the questions I've emailed you about *cleans glasses*.

[berries]

On 28/04/2018 at 10:34, Frank Blank said:

Does anyone own, have experience with, or can recommend a short scale (30” or less) lined fretless bass, electric or acoustic?

Hello,

I'm also looking for that. Only electric though, and preferably in the 2 HH Stingray format.

Oh, and it should not cost more than £300, although I could go further for the right bass.

A lined fretless short scale version of the SBMM Ray4HH would be ideal.

Not asking for too much am I?

 

How did you get on? Did you get a Chowny?

Pics please.

Edited May 8, 2022 by berries
Afterthought