My new fretess bass sounds funny

[Bass Novice]

I recently bought a Harley Benton fretless bass, it was only a cheap one around £150. Im not expert and it is only my second bass so I do not have much to compare it to. However I think it sounds tinny and hollow when I press the string against the neck, like the neck is not solid.When I play notes the sound is kind of echoey (if thats a word). Comparing it to my Squier Affinity, which isn't an expensive bass, it is not nice or deep sounding? How can I make this sound better? Would changing strings help, or a better pick up? What pick ups would be best?

[PaulThePlug]

I'll leave this to the fretless communities, just to say there us a lot of love for Harley B on here, and i have a few... what model?

 

Slacken and re-tighten the neck screws in not thru neck, witness points (press the string down at saddle and nut.

New Strings. Are you going for flats? The Adagio Flats (Adv Music on the bay) are a great place to start for the £.

 

Son has a Vintage VF? Fretless and a cheapy Gear for Music Acoustic, always nice to hear.

[BassApprentice]

Any chance of a picture of the bass? I can probably guess what Harley Benton it is, but always easier to pass comment if people know which bass it is.

 

 

[SurroundedByManatees]

Maybe pickup height isn't set correctly? Faulty input or lead could be a possibility too. From what I've heard these basses should sound decent stock.

Edited 2 hours ago by SurroundedByManatees

[lemmywinks]

Is it used? If so then it may have cheap AliExpress strings on it which can sound a bit too tinny/metallic.

 

Not sure what echoey means, is it buzzing the neck ie has backbow? Does the truss rod turn ok? 

[Bass Novice]

The model is JB-40FL and looks like this...

 

2 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

Any chance of a picture of the bass? I can probably guess what Harley Benton it is, but always easier to pass comment if people know which bass it is.

 

 

The model is JB-40FL and looks like this...

 

[Bass Novice]

3 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

I'll leave this to the fretless communities, just to say there us a lot of love for Harley B on here

 

 

Yes I know, the good reviews on here is why I chose it 🙂

[42Hz]

Check the distance between the stríngs and the (fret)board. If there is not clearance for the string to vibrate the tone will die - especially the deep tones.

Most basses - even the cheapest of cheapest - will (if they have no serious defects) play at least decently if setup properly.

So it is very likely something that can be solve by proper adjustment.

 

As You probably bought this from new and may not be able to set it up yourself I would recommend starting by complain about the issue to Thomann and hear what they can offer.