Valhalalf Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Hey guys I've started doing some acoustic trio sets in pubs and at weddings using my jazz bass which is fine but not in the vibe of the acoustic thing. I really want to bring something a little different to these gigs than my usual gigging bass. After lots of um-ing and ah-ing over whether I shoud buy another acoustic or an EUB or a Ukele I think I'm now set on getting a fretless semi acoustic bass in the Godin A5 style. I really like the idea of the thinner electric body for comfort but with the piezo acoustic bridge. I know there's a lot of expensive options (Godin, Renaissance, Rob Allen) but after tralling the interwebs I was hoping some people on here could point me in a different direction. I really liked the look of the Fender a/e pbass with it's semi body, f hole and acoustic bridge plus the option of blending in the lace sensors for a touch of electric bass. But perhaps a bit out of my price range atm and kinda hard to come by. Any suggestions will be most appreciated Edited April 9, 2012 by Valhalalf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) I've got a Yamaha Bex. I bought it off Tom the EssexBassCat on this forum. A very nice bass, if you like the styling, and typical Yamaha high quality. I don't think they're still made, but worth a look I think. If you want you can come look at mine. As well as the obvious soap-bar there's a piezo pickup under the bridge and a pan knob to blend output between the two. Here she is, 'Mavis' Edited March 26, 2012 by Len_derby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Lovely bass that. A picture doesn't do justice to that instument at all, it's quite impressive up close. Glad it's gone to a good home Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 How about a Warwick Alien - not bad for just under £350... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) I like the look of the bex, very pretty, and a bit of googling shows they did do a fretless version but it seems more likely to find rocking horse poo. I did look at the Alien basses but I really wanted to move away from the full body acoustic bass. I've found acoustic basses arent quite loud enough unplugged with other instruments and as we go through a PA I'd rather go for the comfort of a semi. Just been looking at the epiphone zenith fretless. If only it had 5 strings, I'd be getting my credit card out now. Edited March 26, 2012 by Valhalalf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1332789817' post='1593191'] How about a Warwick Alien - not bad for just under £350... [/quote] Where are these £350?? Looking to upgrade my Takamine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1332794463' post='1593313'] Where are these £350?? Looking to upgrade my Takamine. [/quote] Here ya go [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_alien_standard_fretless.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_alien_standard_fretless.htm[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1332794958' post='1593326'] Here ya go [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_alien_standard_fretless.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...rd_fretless.htm[/url] [/quote] I was looking at these yesterday. They're Rockbass, that's why they're £350. I've only ever played 1 Rockbass & there was nothing "Rock" about it. The components was the nastiest things I've touched. But Thomann give a 30 day return period so if it's junk, then you aren't stuck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1332789817' post='1593191'] How about a Warwick Alien - not bad for just under £350... [/quote] That's super fly! May look into getting one someday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1332794120' post='1593306'] I like the look of the bex, very pretty, and a bit of googling shows they did do a fretless version but it seems more likely to find rocking horse poo. [/quote] If you're working within a strict budget what about defretting or neck replacement for a fretted bass you like the look of?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1332795300' post='1593336'] I was looking at these yesterday. They're Rockbass, that's why they're £350. I've only ever played 1 Rockbass & there was nothing "Rock" about it. The components was the nastiest things I've touched. But Thomann give a 30 day return period so if it's junk, then you aren't stuck with it. [/quote] Well Warwick are leading manufacturers of musical marmite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1332799025' post='1593426'] Well Warwick are leading manufacturers of musical marmite. [/quote] Very true. I tried a Warwick $$ & really liked it. I dare say there's good Rockbass's out there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1332797168' post='1593384'] If you're working within a strict budget what about defretting or neck replacement for a fretted bass you like the look of?. [/quote] That's an obvious option I had overlooked, will have to keep my eye out for something. I'm still quite taken with the fretless Epiphone Zenith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Doesn't quite fall within the rules as it's fretted but from a purely aesthetic pov this is my fave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1332853341' post='1593953'] Doesn't quite fall within the rules as it's fretted but from a purely aesthetic pov this is my fave [/quote] It's really nice but leans a bit more towards the electric vibe than the acoustic vibe I'm after It also turns out the Zenith has been discontinued and I can't find a fretless version in stock anywhere Always the way lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razze06 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 (edited) [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/epiphone-zenith-fretless-bass/33025"]Epiphone zenith fretless seems in stock here[/url] Edited March 27, 2012 by razze06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Fretless Epiphone Zenith on ebay right now - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260984396214?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 [quote name='razze06' timestamp='1332866305' post='1594188'] [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/epiphone-zenith-fretless-bass/33025"]Epiphone zenith fretless seems in stock here[/url] [/quote] I haven't phoned GAK yet but I always presume if you have to call then it's a special order jobby and there's none to order. I've spoken to a friend at a music shop who's gonna have a word with the epiphone rep and see what's shaking. I did see that one on ebay last night but initially was put off with the lack of personal description. Read the question/answer bit now where there was a bit more detail. It's in my watch list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 As predicted I phoned GAK and DV247 and they were out of stock and won't be getting anymore in. My mate called the epiphone rep and there is non in the UK for distribution so it's second hand or a rare find on the Zenith. I think the search has continued Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 [quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1333026951' post='1596366'] ....My mate called the epiphone rep and there is non in the UK for distribution so it's second hand or a rare find on the Zenith. I think the search has continued.... [/quote] [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1332866564' post='1594192'] ....Fretless Epiphone Zenith on ebay right now.... [/quote] [shouting] One on ebay right now for £450.... [/shouting] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 Shhhhh! I know and I'm watching it, but don't want to get into a bid war with another Basschatter lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 [whisper] Ah. I don't think anyone noticed[/whisper] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1333029412' post='1596422'] [whisper] Ah. I don't think anyone noticed[/whisper] [/quote] [whisper] I don't want a hollow body so I wont be bidding either [/whisper] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 [quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1332780572' post='1593029'] Hey guys I've started doing some acoustic trio sets in pubs and at weddings using my jazz bass which is fine but not in the vibe of the acoustic thing. I really want to bring something a little different to these gigs than my usual gigging bass. After lots of um-ing and ah-ing over whether I shoud buy another acoustic or an EUB or a Ukele I think I'm now set on getting a fretless semi acoustic bass in the Godin A5 style. I really like the idea of the thinner electric body for comfort but with the piezo acoustic bridge. I know there's a lot of expensive options (Godin, Renaissance, Rob Allen) but after tralling the interwebs I was hoping some people on here could point me in a different direction.I really liked the look of the Fender a/e pbass with it's semi body, f hole and acoustic bridge plus the option of blending in the lace sensors for a touch of electric bass. But perhaps a bit out of my price range atm and kinda hard to come by. Any suggestions will be most appreciated [/quote] I was in a similar situation myself, considering the defret route, but I would prefer an unlined board. Check out this link and drop me a pm if it is of interest to you. There doesn't seem to be too much around at the moment in terms of fretless five string basses. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/171481-5-string-status-electro-for-sale-or-trade-for-5-string-fretless/page__p__1587031#entry1587031"]http://basschat.co.u...31#entry1587031[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Drop Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 (edited) Have you tried an Italia Mondial bass? They are electric HBs with some very interesting tones. They pop up used pretty cheap, and the two I've tried played great and sounded amazing. I think you can get some very different results by trying it with different strings as well. They look pretty cool too, at least to me. edited to add: Ignore this if you are looking for a fretless only, of course. I have played a Rob Allen Deep 4 and it was the single coolest instrument I've ever heard for upright tones. So expressive and amazingly well built, they are masterpeices. If I had a band that I needed that kind of vibe for I'd sell anything to get one used. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyf9KBDkXjM[/media] Edited March 29, 2012 by One Drop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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