geoffbyrne Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 (edited) I have a significant birthday coming up (70). I'm playing jams & open mics quite a lot and I've just been asked by an up-and-coming Indie band to work with them. So I'd like to treat myself to a better fretless bass. I have a Yamaha BBG5A that The Bass Doc took off the fretted fingerboard & put on a lovely piece of ebony. It plays & sounds great since I replaced the single coils with the 'buckers off an RBX375, but it's still a cheap guitar, I'd like something similar with a bit more quality. Here's a pic before the ebony fingerboard was fitted: I need: 5 string. Buckers (2) no lines on fingerboard. Dots in proper fretless positions. Active with a decent pre-amp. 34" scale. Decent quality. I'm prepared to spend a max of £650. Suggestions? G. Edited September 14, 2016 by geoffbyrne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 $650.00 is the sweet spot for a quality used bass. I would look at used G&l, Ibenez or MIJ Fender bass offerings. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 (edited) Look out for any used Maruszczyk instruments coming up. However, I've not seen many fretless ones... For a wee bit more, you could have one made to your specs. That's what I plan to do following my recent "significant" birthday (50th) and once funds become available... http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/maruszczyk-instruments/mi-bass Edited September 14, 2016 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1473838426' post='3133419'] Look out for any used Maruszczyk instruments coming up. However, I've not seen many fretless ones... For a wee bit more, you could have one made to your specs. That's what I plan to do following my recent "significant" birthday (50th) and once funds become available... [url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/maruszczyk-instruments/mi-bass"]http://www.public-pe...ruments/mi-bass[/url] [/quote] Looking at the Elwood Europe, 1600 euros is a big chunk more...... G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Here you go - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfield-bass-guitar-/162201173277?hash=item25c3f17d1d:g:y-8AAOSwknJX19k0."]http://www.ebay.co.u...8AAOSwknJX19k0.[/url] Pull the frets, fill the slots with Plastic Wood and spend the money on a nice holiday. Many happy returns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 I was hoping for something constructive.... G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1473845256' post='3133483'] Looking at the Elwood Europe, 1600 euros is a big chunk more...... G. [/quote] Having said that, it's absolutely right. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 You probably wouldn't want to spend the £18k that the Bass Gallery wants for the ex-Jack Bruce fretless Thumb NT 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Oh, all right. I'll be serious. I always think a Jazz Bass makes a great fretless. The pickup configuration just seems to make the right noise. I'm not saying that just because JP played one. My fretless is a J. However, you really need to go shopping and try some out. What suits me may not be your cup of tea. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintspiller Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 VM Squiers are good. Do they do fretless? My VM Jazz was better than the MIM, so would save you a few quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 I've played the Squier and it felt very good. My objection is with the lined ebanol fingerboard. And I'm not sure the side dots are in the correct fretless places. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1473845256' post='3133483'] Looking at the Elwood Europe, 1600 euros is a big chunk more...... G. [/quote] I know... probably still pretty reasonable for what it is mind. But there are a few coming up second hand (although I've not seen a fretless yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Yamaha BBG5's are a far better instrument than their price tag would suggest. You may well have to take a bit of a financial leap to get anything that is really significantly better. That said I really do like the Maruszczyk and you get a lot of bass for your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Fretless 5er with humbuckers. I'm automatically going to say Ibanez SR, you should be able to find a very nice used high-end example for your budget. The skinny necks are a bit marmite for some though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I think I went a bit ott with my significant birthday bass with my new Alpher but I wouldnt swap it for anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1473957314' post='3134538'] Fretless 5er with humbuckers. I'm automatically going to say Ibanez SR, you should be able to find a very nice used high-end example for your budget. The skinny necks are a bit marmite for some though. [/quote] Hadn't really thought of those, Jon, so I must have a look. Wonder if there's any in Guitar Guitar in Glasgow....... Hmmmm. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyonbass Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) Snap this one up!! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/291464-acg-j-type-fretless-bass/page__fromsearch__1 Edit... sorry that's a 4 . As you were!! Edited September 16, 2016 by andyonbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) Alan's work is superb - I played a few at the Moffat Bash, but I'm uncomfortable with flat fingerboards (over & above the fact it's a 4). G. Edited September 16, 2016 by geoffbyrne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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