Any suggestions for my next fretless?

SC Bassboy

SC Bassboy

May 7, 2007
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Birmingham, AL
#1
Greetings fellow TB'ers. Over the last few years I've gotten pretty serious about fretless and have been looking for another one for a while. The issue is that I can't seem to find what I'm looking for (insert U2 joke here). It occurred to me that I should just let you guys know what options I'm looking for and see if anyone suggests a instrument I never considered. Here we go..
1. Must be a 5 or 6 string
2. Would prefer normal or wide string spacing
3. I'm on the fence about a maple fingerboard but anything else is fine
4. Two octave neck preferable
5. Fret position lines but only if there are "fret" markers on the face of the board
6. Active/passive EQ
7. Under 3K price tag
8. Must weigh under 8lbs (Just kidding. I couldn't care less)
 
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#2
SC Bassboy said:
Greetings fellow TB'ers. Over the last few years I've gotten pretty serious about fretless and have been looking for another one for a while. The issue is that I can't seem to find what I'm looking for (insert U2 joke here). It occurred to me that I should just let you guys know what options I'm looking for and see if anyone suggests a instrument I never considered. Here we go..
1. Must be a 5 or 6 string
2. Would prefer normal or wide string spacing
3. I'm on the fence about a maple fingerboard but anything else is fine
4. Two octave neck preferable
5. Fret position lines but only if there are "fret" markers on the face of the board
6. Active/passive EQ
7. Under 3K price tag
8. Must weigh under 8lbs (Just kidding. I couldn't care less)
Click to expand...

If you can find one of these brands, GET IT:

Pedulla
Zon
 
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#3
I play a Sire M7 fretless (4), but I would say it rates as one of the best fretless basses I've owned.
I've had a Pedulla Buzz, Peavey B-Quad, G&L ASAT, and a Peavey Foundation.
The Sire is right up there with the B-Quad and the ASAT, way above the Foundation, and nothing can touch a Pedulla Buzz, it's in a class all by itself.
That being said, I'd recommend a look at the Sire M7 5 fretless...
 
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#4
Reedeaux said:
I play a Sire M7 fretless (4), but I would say it rates as one of the best fretless basses I've owned.
I've had a Pedulla Buzz, Peavey B-Quad, G&L ASAT, and a Peavey Foundation.
The Sire is right up there with the B-Quad and the ASAT, way above the Foundation, and nothing can touch a Pedulla Buzz, it's in a class all by itself.
That being said, I'd recommend a look at the Sire M7 5 fretless...
Click to expand...
I have looked at some of the Sire fretless models. Do you have the alder or ash body? Also, could you post a few pictures of your fingerboard? Thank you
 
#7
I’ve been very happy with my fretless Willcox Lightwave Saber. The infrared optical pickup allows you to use any type of string you like. You’re not restricted to magnetic strings. Featherlight. And not too hard on the eyes.

They are available in several different configurations. 4 and 5-string. Fretted, fretless - lined and unlined.

Might be worth a look. :)
 
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#9
I have a Tony Franklin and would highly recommend it, but the fretboard is black/smooth/blank. I originally thought the same way but after playing the T.F. a while I realize that I don't miss them (frets / fret lines) at all. Just play the side dot markers. Same diff...... your mind adapts quickly.
 
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#10
My fretless 5s are Warwick, Lightwave and Rick Turner. The Turner is probably not for everyone being hollowbody 35" piezo, the Warwick is a traditional mag pickup bass, but the Lightwave is a little more out there with optical pickups and a high-tech feel. Only the Warwick has the active/passive option. If you can ignore the lack of passive, I'd check out a Lightwave fretless 5. They do lined fretless.

View attachment 4415655 View attachment 4415656 View attachment 4415654
 
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#12
Dan Bone said:
I have a Tony Franklin and would highly recommend it, but the fretboard is black/smooth/blank. I originally thought the same way but after playing the T.F. a while I realize that I don't miss them (frets / fret lines) at all. Just play the side dot markers. Same diff...... your mind adapts quickly.
Click to expand...
Be aware, most side markers.do not sit at the intonation point, but in a useless position somewhere between notes. As if it were fretted and the marker position didn't matter. I've filled them with epoxy and wood dust then drilled and filled glow powder/epoxy at the intonation points for frets 3,5,7,9,12,15.etc.
 
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#13
tubedude said:
Be aware, most side markers.do not sit at the intonation point, but in a useless position somewhere between notes. As if it were fretted and the marker position didn't matter. I've filled them with epoxy and wood dust then drilled and filled glow powder/epoxy at the intonation points for frets 3,5,7,9,12,15.etc.
Click to expand...

Really? I thought that on most unlined fretless basses the side dots are supposed to line up with where the actual fret would be on a fretted instrument? I have an unlined StingRay and the side dots are certainly in the right position.
 
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#15
N4860 said:
Really? I thought that on most unlined fretless basses the side dots are supposed to line up with where the actual fret would be on a fretted instrument? I have an unlined StingRay and the side dots are certainly in the right position.
Click to expand...
I've never had one with misplaced side dots, but apparently some cheap instruments are off? My MiJ fender is right, and the cheep rondo i just sold was, too.

For the OP's ask, I sure like my new Ibanez 6. It has line markers on the side, not the face. I am not a big fan of that (prefer unlined with side dots) but you might like it! It's a killer bass, a real smooth player with a lot of tone options.
 
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#16
You may as well go custom at that price range.

Beardly Customs, Brady Muckelroy, and Tom Clement can do everything you want and more.

Spend the time to nail down the specific details you really want and see what they can offer. I have a Beardly and two Mucks, and had a custom Clement before moving to medium scale basses, and there is no wrong answer amongst those three.
 
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#20
ficelles said:
My fretless 5s are Warwick, Lightwave and Rick Turner. The Turner is probably not for everyone being hollowbody 35" piezo, the Warwick is a traditional mag pickup bass, but the Lightwave is a little more out there with optical pickups and a high-tech feel. Only the Warwick has the active/passive option. If you can ignore the lack of passive, I'd check out a Lightwave fretless 5. They do lined fretless.

View attachment 4415655 View attachment 4415656 View attachment 4415654
Click to expand...
Are those like "taking bass pics" special carpets?
Cause that is so cool :D
 
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