Hugh971 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 HI, I'm after a cheap fretless bass. This will be my first fretless so a big part of this is so I can see if I like fretless and stick to it. My main influence in fretless playing is Jaco's more groove oriented stuff (not so much the soloing) but I'm not trying to be Jaco but I am specifically after a jazz due to the the bridge J pickup though I will consider other suggestions. At the moment I'm looking primarily at these 2 options[list] [*][b]Vintage Fretless Icon [/b](http://www.thomann.de/gb/vintage_vj96mrjp_fretless.htm) - This seems to be regarded quite well around here. [*][b]Cheap Harley Benton Fretless Jazz [/b](http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm) - I've found next to nothing about this online. It looks very good for the price but it's a bit of a risk. Has anyone ever played a Harley Benton bass and if so was it any good? [/list] Can anyone help here? I'm leaning towards the Vintage at the moment. Thanks Hugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 These are good too. You can pick them up for £200 or under secondhand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVP7EEl8HfE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='Hugh971' timestamp='1390045131' post='2340794'] HI, I'm after a cheap fretless bass. This will be my first fretless so a big part of this is so I can see if I like fretless and stick to it. My main influence in fretless playing is Jaco's more groove oriented stuff (not so much the soloing) but I'm not trying to be Jaco but I am specifically after a jazz due to the the bridge J pickup though I will consider other suggestions. At the moment I'm looking primarily at these 2 options[list] [*][b]Vintage Fretless Icon [/b]([url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/vintage_vj96mrjp_fretless.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...jp_fretless.htm[/url]) - This seems to be regarded quite well around here. [*][b]Cheap Harley Benton Fretless Jazz [/b]([url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._jb_40fl_sb.htm[/url]) - I've found next to nothing about this online. It looks very good for the price but it's a bit of a risk. Has anyone ever played a Harley Benton bass and if so was it any good? [/list] Can anyone help here? I'm leaning towards the Vintage at the moment. Thanks Hugh [/quote] There's one on ebay at the moment http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-Jazz-Vintage-Modified-Active-Pick-ups-Bass-guitar-/291058945956?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43c4770fa4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Another +1 from me for the Squier VMJ - just got one through a trade on here & it's lovely. Quite intrigued by the Harley Benton for so little money, if I'd seen that before getting the Squier I might well have taken a chance on it. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clashcityrocker Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Ash body on the Harley Benton, surprising on a 100 quid bass I been considered the Vintage but that Harley is damm cheap,same pick ups too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh971 Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1390049589' post='2340865'] Ash body on the Harley Benton, surprising on a 100 quid bass I been considered the Vintage but that Harley is damm cheap,same pick ups too? [/quote] I don't know if the pickups are them same ones, just says Wilkinson. It looks like the Harley Benton was only released in December which maybe why I couldn't find anything about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I get the impression that Squier models, particularly the VMJ, are the direct inspiration for many of the copies around. Surely that Harley Benton is a deliberate copy of the VMJ. I wonder if we'll see a Harley Benton Classic Vibe series soon. Before I kiboshed my buying budget and was considering a fretless, I was looking at a Harley Benton fretless jazz bass. But, it wasn't this one. I think it had a sunburst finish. Then the link disappeared. Good to see that it's been replaced by something that looks even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 How about this. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/220888-aria-sb-40-fretless-bass-in-black-with-lightweight-hard-foam-case-now-l110/page__p__2333560__hl__fretless__fromsearch__1#entry2333560 Worth every penny if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 When I saw the thread title I was ready to jump in with 'Vintage all the way', as I have quite a soft spot for them. Having now had a look at the Harley Benton, it looks a fabulous deal for the money. Must be the same Wilko Pickups as the Vintage Jazzer. Assuming the tuners and bridge are are not made of cheese, it could be a winner. I believe Thomann's return procedure is pretty slick if you decide otherwise after having tried it out. However, don't discount some of the lovely S/H ones which appear on here from time to time. Cheers Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1390053788' post='2340941'] How about this. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/220888-aria-sb-40-fretless-bass-in-black-with-lightweight-hard-foam-case-now-l110/page__p__2333560__hl__fretless__fromsearch__1#entry2333560"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2333560[/url] Worth every penny if you ask me. [/quote] Now that is one to go for - Aria quality and looks at that price? Jump on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clashcityrocker Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Anyone know what the neck pocket is like on the Vintage /Harley? Always nice to know you can swap necks about with your fenders :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1390053788' post='2340941'] How about this. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/220888-aria-sb-40-fretless-bass-in-black-with-lightweight-hard-foam-case-now-l110/page__p__2333560__hl__fretless__fromsearch__1#entry2333560"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2333560[/url] Worth every penny if you ask me. [/quote] Modern Arias are surprisingly good & highly underrated - if this had been a lined fretless, I've been all over it. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1390078905' post='2341305'] Modern Arias are surprisingly good & highly underrated - if this had been a lined fretless, I've been all over it. J. [/quote] When I got my first unlined I thought this too, but you soon get used to it and your finger discipline gets better and your hearing improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1390080958' post='2341334'] When I got my first unlined I thought this too, but you soon get used to it and your finger discipline gets better and your hearing improves. [/quote] My first fretless was unlined - had it for over 10 years & struggled to do anything presentable with it, simply down to my poor intonation. I've since had 2 lined fretlesses which I can record with & would happily gig with, if my band was in a gigging position at the moment. I suppose if I dedicated myself to mastering an unlined board, it would come eventually but I think having the lines as a near-subconscious reference, allows me to play OK without a battle. J.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) I had a Harley Benton for a bit, something like this [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_450fl_bk_progressive_series.htm."]http://www.thomann.d...ive_series.htm.[/url] Obviously not a J-type. Unlined, active. It was well worth the price. Knobs were a bit iffy (one wasn't in straight). The nut was way too high, though I didn't know that at the time. It had heaps of sustain, played acoustically. The Squier VMJ is good too. Edited January 19, 2014 by alyctes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 And there's yet another new interesting looking Harley Benton fretless bass. A U-bass copy, it appears. http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_kahuna_clu_bass_fl.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 MB1 has a nice Westone fretless for sale on this very forum and it looks pretty damn good and is more than fairly priced IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 [quote name='Hugh971' timestamp='1390045131' post='2340794'] [b]Cheap Harley Benton Fretless Jazz [/b]([url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._jb_40fl_sb.htm[/url]) - I've found next to nothing about this online. It looks very good for the price but it's a bit of a risk. Has anyone ever played a Harley Benton bass and if so was it any good? [/quote] Yes I have and no it wasn't. (Different model to this one though.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I'm inclined to think they're like any ultra-budget bass - pot luck whether you get a decent, useable one or a hopeless piece of junk. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1390128350' post='2341642'] I'm inclined to think they're like any ultra-budget bass - pot luck whether you get a decent, useable one or a hopeless piece of junk. J. [/quote] Which is what makes ebay a raffle. I'm getting to think 50% are basses being moved on again and again. FWIW if I've got a good bass I sell it in BC. If it's a dog it goes to ebay. I don't suppose I'm alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 A friend of mine has the Vintage, very nice it is too... may have to get over the fake relic look and the strange headstock shape. Has decent bits on it and plays very nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 A Yamaha on Ebay for £70 B.I.N, price [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-Fretless-Bass-/331110594895?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d17bab94f"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-Fretless-Bass-/331110594895?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d17bab94f[/url] John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh971 Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 I decided to go with the Vintage Icon in the end. I bought it before I saw your post about the Yamaha, I actually did a search on ebay yesterday for 'Fretless Yamaha' with no results. Oh well, it's too far for me to travel anyway. I'll let you know what I think of it when it arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I'd have ordered both from Thomann and just sent back the one you liked the least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh971 Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1390168004' post='2342301'] I'd have ordered both from Thomann and just sent back the one you liked the least... [/quote] Tempting, though I'd then be paying delivery back to Germany on a bass either way. Also the Vintage Icon is only £224 with a free lead from GAK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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