PatrickJ Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 Hi Guys, I'm looking for some 4 string fretless bass recommendations , new or used but no more spendy than 1000 GBP. I've an unlined fretless on loan to me right now and am really enjoying playing it but it's too heavy to be a keeper for me. I can't find much in the way of offerings from the usual suspects of Bassdirect or Anderton's - I'm hoping the Basschat faithfuls can come up with some ideas. I appreciate I could have any bass defretted and that's plan B but a nice ready made fretless would be ideal :). Thanking you in advance . 1 Quote
PatrickJ Posted January 4, 2021 Author Posted January 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Ibanez Portamento Is that the Ibanez SRF700? Quote
uk_lefty Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 I picked up an unlined Warwick fretless Corvette that is incredibly light and has bags of mwaaaahhh. Decent bass. Quote
Al Krow Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 42 minutes ago, PatrickJ said: Is that the Ibanez SRF700? That's the one. I have the 705. Light as a feather, lovely tone, Ibby quality, very playable neck and a ridiculous 30 fret range! Quote
PatrickJ Posted January 4, 2021 Author Posted January 4, 2021 12 minutes ago, Al Krow said: That's the one. I have the 705. Light as a feather, lovely tone, Ibby quality, very playable neck and a ridiculous 30 fret range! Good to hear, it's definitely on the shortlist. Quote
martthebass Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) My personal fave is a 2EQ EBMM Stingray, not easy to find one under 9lb though. Should be able to find a used one around £1000. Edited January 4, 2021 by martthebass Quote
TheLowDown Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) My fretless(es) are mostly lightweight(around 7.9lbs) unlined Harley Bentons for less than £150. Spending a lot of money is best if you have specific requirement, so I would get something that's cost effective until you know what you want. Edited January 4, 2021 by TheLowDown Quote
sshorepunk Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) I had one of the sire fretless jazz bases, lovely fretboard but was lined, which I prefer sold it as I needed to cut my collection at the time, but will be buying another very soon About 400 quid they were at the time, lot of bass for the money and sire have a good rep’ Edited January 4, 2021 by sshorepunk 1 Quote
philparker Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, uk_lefty said: I picked up an unlined Warwick fretless Corvette that is incredibly light and has bags of mwaaaahhh. Decent bass. I may have one of these for sale, shortly, - I will post in the 'For Sale' if you are interested, when I can get round to taking photos etc. Edited January 4, 2021 by philparker spelling 1 Quote
Paul S Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 I had a lot of fun with a Westone Thunder 1A fretless. The unlined neck was gorgeous. Not light, mind. 1 Quote
TheGreek Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 Big fan of Bass Collection Nanyos - most are under 9lbs with great tone - if you can find a fretless under £200, grab it. I have a fretted one you can borrow @PatrickJ when you bring the fretless back... 1 Quote
TheGreek Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 Quick look on ebay shows several examples of basses mentioned here. Personally I wouldn't say "NO" to the Mayones Be4, but there are others which others may prefer/recommend. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/4713/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=bass+guitar&_dmd=2&rt=nc&Body%20Type=Fretless&_dcat=4713 1 Quote
lownote Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) Portamento, or way down the price list but very very playable, the Revelation P bass as sold by Bass Gallery. Under £200 new and a cracking bass IMHO. I do wonder whether it's worth keeping the Portamento as the Rev keeps being my go-to bass. Edited January 4, 2021 by lownote12 1 Quote
PatrickJ Posted January 4, 2021 Author Posted January 4, 2021 14 minutes ago, TheGreek said: Quick look on ebay shows several examples of basses mentioned here. Personally I wouldn't say "NO" to the Mayones Be4, but there are others which others may prefer/recommend. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/4713/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=bass+guitar&_dmd=2&rt=nc&Body%20Type=Fretless&_dcat=4713 I'd clocked that BE4 on eBay, I've already messaged him to confirm the weight. I like the Spector/Streamer design of it. I had Mayones Jazz bass which was very nice but since I quit that band and haven't gigged since I sold it as I didn't need a 5 string anymore. Quote
PatrickJ Posted January 4, 2021 Author Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) 58 minutes ago, philparker said: I may have one of these for sale, shortly, - I will post in the 'For Sale' if you are interested, when I can get round to taking photos etc. Thanks for the offer but I'd probably pass on the Corvette. I had a fretted GPS 5 string a while ago but it suffered from a bit of irritating neck dive that I couldn't get on with. I wouldn't pass up a Stage One Streamer of semi-hollow Infinity though. Edited January 4, 2021 by PatrickJ Quote
Sambrook Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 Plus one for the Portamento. My 5 string has seen off competition from some very high end basses, cos it's so versatile. With white nylons on, it's near perfect... 2 Quote
philparker Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 40 minutes ago, PatrickJ said: Thanks for the offer but I'd probably pass on the Corvette. I had a fretted GPS 5 string a while ago but it suffered from a bit of irritating neck dive that I couldn't get on with. I wouldn't pass up a Stage One Streamer of semi-hollow Infinity though. Hey, no problem - I will eventually get around to advertising it. I had a quick look at those on eBay and the Mayones Be-4 looked quite nice for all of those on offer. Quote
caitlin Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 thread stealing, just to check, @philparker it's a 4 string not a 5, right? so i can crawl back under my rock rather than pestering you about it? 1 Quote
Bunion Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 3 hours ago, martthebass said: My personal fave is a 2EQ EBMM Stingray I’ll + that, I have one and it weighs a gnats testicle over 8lb. worth looking round for one they are fantastic. Quote
PatrickJ Posted January 4, 2021 Author Posted January 4, 2021 Current short list Ibanez SRF700 Ibanez SRF700 Fretless Bass, Brown Burst Flat at Gear4music Mayones BE-4 Mayones Be-4 Fretless Bass Guitar natural Amazaque with case | eBay Sandberg TT4 £945 - Pristine Sandberg California Fretless TT4 Passive Jazz (In Two Parts) - Basses For Sale - Basschat 1 Quote
knicknack Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 I played a Sandberg fretless the other day and it was a monster... That'd be my choice! But i am biased! 1 Quote
sprocketflup Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 Another vote for the Ibanez here, the necks are sublime ( As long as you like a slim fast neck of course lol) 1 Quote
Bunion Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 18 minutes ago, PatrickJ said: Sandberg TT4 £945 - Pristine Sandberg California Fretless TT4 Passive Jazz (In Two Parts) - Basses For Sale - Basschat Is that still for sale? I noticed the add was from jan 2020 that was after I commented on it of course... Quote
TheGreek Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 There's a SRF700 on Gumtree for just under £400 https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/ibanez-srf700-fretless-bass-brown-burst-flat-/1393804256 Quote
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