cheap, reasonably well made fretless?

[lv]

Any recommendations for something at $400 or less?

[The Golden Boy]

Years ago I had a Yamaha fretless. It was a decent bass, it was inexpensive... I just couldn't play fretless.

[lv]

Years ago I had a Yamaha fretless. It was a decent bass, it was inexpensive... I just couldn't play fretless.

Thanks, I'll check them out. I can't play fretless either, I need the lines! :)

[Ishouldbeking]

Check out the SX line... just cheap fender copies, but they're known for being of comparable (or sometimes far better) quality than MIM fenders.

http://www.rondomusic.net (http://www.rondomusic.net/)

And they're just a smidge over a 100 bucks, so they're a dang good deal to boot. I have a Precision (fretted, though) and beyond needing a setup, it's a great bass. Haven't personally played the fretless models, but people rave about them over at talkbass.

here's one model (there may be others, i just looked real quick):

http://www.rondomusic.net/sjb62mgfllpb.html

I quite like the matching headstock, which is a nice added feature.

[tkozal]

Years ago I had a Yamaha fretless. It was a decent bass, it was inexpensive... I just couldn't play fretless.


I bought a used Yamaha BB200 fretless about 15 years ago, perhaps $200 or so. Great starter, and frankly beyond fretless. One p style pickup, very nice...

now I have a Fender Jaco as my main fretless, still have the Yamaha

[Baconator]

I picked up a MTD Kingston fretless for just a bit over $400 from Bass Northwest - I think around $420. It is an amazing bass and definitely worth the extra coin IMO.

[RickC]

I'm not sure if they're made anymore, but the Cort Artisan B4FL (there may also have been a B5FL) is an outstanding budget fretless. Bartolinis, and the ebony-over-wenge neck gives it a serious Warwick kinda vibe. I think I paid $450 new for mine several years ago, at Mars Music.

/rick

[fretless]

Recently I got one of the new Squier Modified Jazz Fretless models. Sunburst, no pickguard (an obvious design nod to Jaco), Duncan designed p/ups, and most importantly a lined ebonal fretboard.

The fretboard is hard as nails, like good ebony, and it really allows you to get that rich, sustaining "mwahh". Pickups are solid, as is the overall construction. Mine needed no tweaks to play well, and I could find no obvious flaws.

Got it for $225. Street price anywhere is never more than $250 or so. A fantastic bargain for a bass that really will satisfiy your jones for a fretless and will not leave you wanting. Highly recommended.

[GDking]

Any recommendations for something at $400 or less?


Spend a little more Lou and buy my 5 string pedulla Penta buzz you know you want another one :D

[Verence]

Check out the SX line.

+1

The only real problems with SX guitars are hardware and sometimes the frets (which aren't an issue in this case). The necks and bodies are great quality. Get a fretless SX bass and replace any hardware if it seems cheap. You'll have an awesome fretless bass for under $200, easy.

[Ishouldbeking]

+1

The only real problems with SX guitars are hardware and sometimes the frets (which aren't an issue in this case). The necks and bodies are great quality. Get a fretless SX bass and replace any hardware if it seems cheap. You'll have an awesome fretless bass for under $200, easy.


Yeah, eventually i'll probably swap out the pup in my SX 62 P-bass, but as is it doesn't sound bad at all. Someone did a blind-test comparison in which he recorded his SX P bass against a vintage 70's precision and asked folks which they thought was better and more "real" precision sounding... guess which one won.

Again, beyond needing a setup something fierce, they really are a steal, and for the price they make the ideal backup bass because no matter what happens to it you won't feel that bad.

[TehSuperFox]

I was just about to post this exact same thread.

I've been thinking about getting a fretless bass to screw around with because I really love the sound of them. Would the SX models be decent for achieving a thick jazz sound like that of Jaco's?

I suppose that would also mean I would need to get a cheap bass amp...

[landru64]

look for a used guild pilot.. they're great.

[Bassomatic]

Find a mid 80's Guild Pilot w the EMG package. I had a fretless one years ago that I gigged the hell out of. Stellar bass for the loot, and light as a feather. You can find them routinely for $400 or less. The only thing mine needed to make it a champ was a fretboard touch up by Harvey Citron.

[henryjurstin13]

I have a jazz copy SX... it shipped for $125. Can't beat that... invest in a bridge & pickups... you'll have a pretty sweet bass less than $400. I played that Cort B4FL once.... WOW! Wish I'd picked it up then... very impressed for the price tag.