zawinul Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Ok experts im looking to order a custom bass. Looking for advice please. I want a.fretless that is punchy, trebely, not dull woody and sounding like an upright. What kind of pickups should I get? Single coil or dual coil? I want active so which pickups and pre-amps for aggressive punch? Cheers Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 (edited) Could you stretch to a Wal? Can't beat the fretless tone IMO... Open, rich and clear whilst still retaining a thunderous low end. Some great examples in the used market. Fretless models tend to be a touch cheaper and unless your after a specific wood top it will be identical to one you would order. If you are anywhere near London you are welcome to pop round and try mine Edited September 2, 2015 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zawinul Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Hi Camden Rob I used to have a Wal, back in the day sold it for peanuts. Facepalm. no cant stretch to what they cost now!! I've been recommended acg by a lot of people! It's really trying to get the right pickups for a glassy raspy sound, hard to achieve on fretless but I will get there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 (edited) [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1441179779' post='2856610'] Hi Camden Rob I used to have a Wal, back in the day sold it for peanuts. Facepalm. [/quote] I think a lot of people did that... Someone on here (I forget who) had an original JG with the leather scratchplate and sold it... It's difficult to pridict what will happen. I've sold a few fenders for peanuts that I may well be regretting in twenty years time [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1441179779' post='2856610'] I've been recommended acg by a lot of people! [/quote] I've not owned an ACG, but I did have the pleasure of trying a couple at the London Bass show a couple of years back. I also follow the build thread on here with interest. Alan puts out some cracking looking instruments with an impressive spec (lots of in house made parts as opposed to other manufacturers pickups, pre amps etc.) I reckon a passive fretless with one of his multicoil pickups near the bridge would be quite something.... Edited September 2, 2015 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 If you are going for an ACG, just speak to Alan. He knows how his pickups sound. Excellent choice which gives you access to his filter pre-amp which is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 two things I'd recommend in a fretless are an ebony fretboard and an active Mids control. if you're new to fretless, having a fretted "twin" also helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I always preferred Precisions when it came to fretless, but after hearing a fretless Stingray, that is what I'd choose next: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnnewhuLuj8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I have a couple of fretless ACGs and a fretless Eve. Don't know where you are in the world but if you are anywhere near me you would be most welcome to try them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zawinul Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Wow would love to, I fear you live far away from me in Bournemouth!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1441173395' post='2856568'] Ok experts im looking to order a custom bass. Looking for advice please. I want a.fretless that is punchy, trebely, not dull woody and sounding like an upright. What kind of pickups should I get? Single coil or dual coil? I want active so which pickups and pre-amps for aggressive punch? Cheers Z [/quote] ACG, Wal or if you are feeling radical Lightwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 [quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1441745821' post='2861507'] Wow would love to, I fear you live far away from me in Bournemouth!! [/quote] That's a shame. Well FWIW I would suggest that if you do go down the ACG path take a good look at the filter pre amp. It does take longer to get you hear around but the experimentation is worth it; they seem to really click with fretless basses. As for pickups, I have one with two of the FB humbuckers and another with SB single coils. I thnk it's really more about personal preference, but I think the FBs are cool and can sound a lot like single coils so the best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 You can always put coil taps on humbuckers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1441751713' post='2861563'] You can always put coil taps on humbuckers. [/quote] Indeed, good point. ACG have some mighty fine RFB p/ups that with a suitable switch can give you series/parallel/single coil so a gazillion options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zawinul Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 Thanks for all the input!! Getting close to ordering from Alan, not sure whats putting me off as I'm not finding much joy trying to actually buy a fretless 'off the shelf' ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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