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Acoustic (fretless) bass recommendations?


ForestPoetry
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I've been thinking about getting an electro-acoustic bass, preferably fretless. Something I can noodle around with for fun in my spare time, pretend I can play Latin Jazz, that sort of thing.

I've seen a few options out there but it seems fairly limited. I really like the look of that Sigma one but I don't want to be spending more than £250 ideally. Beater budget effectively. is is nescessary to have a larger budget so as not to get a rubbish preamp? 

In the event I bought a fretted one (as there are many more options available), could anyone tell me how much a good de-fret job (inc. filling in line markers) is likely to set me back? Cheers!

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This is about to sell for a completely stupid price - currently £134, closing at 21:01 tonight:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RRP-840-Michael-Kelly-Dragonfly-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Gig-Bag-NEW-Superb/312123539045?hash=item48ac033e65:g:IGMAAOSwH~ta6eDH

I have the fretless 5 version, great build quality and tone, Fishman electronics, visually gorgeous (if it's not too ornate for your taste). Worth the £800+ list price.

 

Edited by josie
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8 hours ago, ForestPoetry said:

Totally missed that! Did you get it in the end? Pics?

No, I was tempted but decided it would just be greedy. It went for £287 in the end - hopefully to someone who will fully appreciate it.

Do look out for the Michael Kellys though, it's not a well known name, so they tend to go second hand for a lot less than a similar quality from a better known maker.

Vintage make nice acoustic basses too, easier to find in your price range, but not as nice as the MKs.

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Depends on personal taste but I've always liked the look of the Aria FEB's. 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aria+feb&client=ms-android-tmobile-gb&prmd=vimn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2i9eVkfzaAhWJK8AKHWUIBI0Q_AUIEigC&biw=360&bih=512#imgrc=FjlSPQSEfFo92M:

Gear4Music have them for £220. Not tried one (daren't) but Aria usually make decent budget gear. 

The Harley Benton ones are good as well, I have a fretted and fretless and they're both good. 

 

Edited by Maude
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On 5/9/2018 at 16:42, josie said:

This is about to sell for a completely stupid price - currently £134, closing at 21:01 tonight:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RRP-840-Michael-Kelly-Dragonfly-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Gig-Bag-NEW-Superb/312123539045?hash=item48ac033e65:g:IGMAAOSwH~ta6eDH

I have the fretless 5 version, great build quality and tone, Fishman electronics, visually gorgeous (if it's not too ornate for your taste). Worth the £800+ list price.

 

What do you string yours with? I have laBella deep talkin flats on mine and they sound awesome acoustically but because the B string is exposed core across the bridge the piezo doesn't pick it up as well as the other 4 strings. Not really too much of a problem cos I bought it to play acoustically in the first place but it would be nice to take it to amplified sessions sometime instead of to EUB.

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D'Addario chrome flats, same as on my electric fretless. If you're after a UB sort of sound, tape-wounds are generally agreed to be best, but I'm trying for a slide/shimmer bassline (inspired by the slide guitar in some of my favourite blues bands, including the one I play in :-) and the silvery sound they give is exactly what I want.

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  • 2 weeks later...

If you want a full size bass and you are on a budget, I can wholly recommend the Harley Benton basses. If you fancy dabbling in the world of Ukulele bass, then Harley Benton also do a great Kala'esque fretless version.

If you have a little more money to spend and staying full size, the rockbass Aliens from Warwick are very good value, as are the Takamine and Crafters.  

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