bassatnight Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 What is the best fretless that money can buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 The one that suits you best. Twee answer, but true. I have a Westone Thunder IIIb that'll go in the coffin with me. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 How long is a piece of string? My Aria Pro II SB-R150, custom fitted with an unlined ebony touchboard and Alembix AXY pickups and tone circuit, is as close to perfection as I've had. Fretless basses that have passed through my hands have included CLF (designs for Fender, MusicMan and G&L), Wal, Pedulla, Goodfellow, Tyler, Jaydee, Kubicki, Status, Warwick, Sadowsky, and Yamaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yybass Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 My only experience is Fodera Beez Elite, F Bass AC6, Ken Smith BSR6EF, Modulus Quantum 6, Wal, Ken Smith BSR 6TNE, all are have indidvidual tones; the F Bass AC5/6 has more to dial into. A lot rests on your own taste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 It's mostly down to finding a neck you like and the fingerboard material. Ebony is my favourite, I think rosewood is a bit too dull-sounding, I think phenolic boards or the polyester finishes on Pedulla boards sound too bright. Some people swear by Stingrays but I never really fell for mine, I thought it was a bit lifeless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 The best I've played is an Alembic. I'm a big fan of ebony boards on fretless basses, they sound great and are so hard-wearing. I'm not sure if the Alembic is the best fretless bass in the world but it's the best I've played so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Strings make a huge difference, I use black nylon wound some like the ebony board/rounwound combo, there must be those who favour regular flats. It might be worth getting a cheap bass de-fretting it and experiment with string types even pickups to narrow your options before you splash out on something special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 As has been said it's horses for courses. My defretted MM SUB floats my boat nicely YMMV. If your asking what's the most expensive, then a quick trawl through the boutique luthiers price lists will get you an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Mine is the best one that money [b]can't[/b] buy...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 [quote name='Bilbo' post='973630' date='Oct 1 2010, 09:54 AM']Mine is the best one that money [b]can't[/b] buy......[/quote] Actually yeah the one I always wanted since I was about 16 was a Wal. So I agree with Bilbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 (edited) It's really only a question that you can answer, by trying as many fretless basses as you can. All that's going to happen if you post a question like this is that people will chime in with what their favourite fretless bass is. i would sooner give up music completely than have to play some of the basses mentioned in previous posts - that doesn't mean those basses are bad just that they don't suit me. Is this a serious question to try and find the best fretless bass for you or are you just "tyre kicking"? If it's the former, post back with the maximum you're prepared to spend and I'll make some recommendations for instruments you should at least try before you part with your money on anything. Edited October 1, 2010 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99ster Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 [quote name='Bilbo' post='973630' date='Oct 1 2010, 09:54 AM']Mine is the best one that money [b]can't[/b] buy......[/quote] Yep. Has to be a Wal. I PX'd my fretless Wal in a moment of madness...& have been traumatised by the memory for the last 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=100025&hl=fretless"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...amp;hl=fretless[/url] bigger thread on that link above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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