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Which fretless? Purchasing advice for a guitarist, please!


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Hi. I haven't been on this forum in a long time. Anyway, for a few years I've really wanted a fretless bass, mostly for recording purposes. I'm a guitarist, and I have a cheap Squier P-Bass but I love the fretless sound so much, so I think I'm going to get one. My goal is to get as close to an upright bass sound as I can...I realize I'll never get it exactly, and I am totally fine with that. There is a stipulation that you guys might loathe me for: I need it to have fret inlays, so I know what I'm doing. I can hold my own on bass with frets, but I don't have time to study real fretless technique so I'm going to need the inlays so that I can get my intonation perfect quickly. This is something I can't be talked out of, I'm afraid. The other stipulation is that it has to be cheap.

 

For a long time, I've been looking at the Dean HBF Fretless bass. I figure, it's a semi-hollow, it's fretless, and it has fretlines. It's also pretty cheap at $400. Sounds perfect.

 

But today I found this one: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Fretless-Jazz-Bass?sku=519637

 

Even cheaper, and the reviews on it are great. The only problem is, it's not semi-hollow. Do you guys think that'll make a huge difference as far as my goals are concerned?

 

If you were a guitarist needing a cheap, inlayed fretless to get close to an upright sound, for recording, which of these would you choose? Maybe you'd recommend something else?

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I have a Rogue VB-100 that I've installed an acoustic pickup in, and set up with nylon tapewound strings. I've also added some felt between the floating bridge and the body, and on top of the bridge, under the strings to soften the sound a bit. I've been thinking of defretting and filling the slots with wood veneer strips, but haven't done it yet. It's sounding pretty upright-ey already, and I think the defretting would get it one step closer. How 'bout you try it first and let me know how it goes?

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Do you think the difference in sound between a semi-hollow and a solid body would be significant?

Not really. The difference is subtle.

 

If you want an upright-y tone, you need to account for all variables. That means:

 

- Flatwound or tapewound strings

- Making sure the nut and action are correctly set up (rare on an off-the-rack fretless)

- Playing technique (play near the end of the neck with a light touch)

- EQ to taste

 

The size hollowbody you've suggested doesn't have the air volume to do much acoustically. Add in the fact that you're looking at semi-hollows, and there's even les resonance to take advantage of.

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Posted

 

for $280.00 you can't beat the Squier Vintage Modified fretless. And it has fret markers.

 

 

I just got around to setting mine up seriously, last weekend. I've had it since Christmas, and with a proper setup it went from my #4 to my #2. It was still definately playable from the factory, but it is capable of more.

 

The pickups sound ok...not great, the finish is great, the hardware is usable but should be replaced if you will be performing professionally...start with the bridge.

 

Squier Vintage Modified Fretless

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Posted

From my experience playing them (I played the VM fretless and what may be the same Dean you're looking at) I'd say that the Squier is the better instrument.

It's not ideal for pursuing an upright sound, but with the setup tips Takeout gave you, it'll be as good for upright tone as any other bass anywhere near that pricerange.

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Posted

for $280.00 you can't beat the Squier Vintage Modified fretless. And it has fret markers.

 

 

+1. they're nice basses for the money. I wish they didn't have lines, though. :(

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Posted

 

Not really. The difference is subtle.


If you want an upright-y tone, you need to account for all variables. That means:


- Flatwound or tapewound strings

- Making sure the nut and action are correctly set up (rare on an off-the-rack fretless)

- Playing technique (play near the end of the neck with a light touch)

- EQ to taste


The size hollowbody you've suggested doesn't have the air volume to do much acoustically. Add in the fact that you're looking at semi-hollows, and there's even les resonance to take advantage of.

 

 

 

Hey, thanks for the advice. That's precisely the kind of thing I needed to know. At that rate, it really does look like the Squier is my best bet. Also, I'm pleased to hear that you guys approve of flatwounds; I was planning on putting them on in hopes it would bring me closer to an uprighty sound. I hear that it's healthier for the fretboard (well, fingerboard I suppose).

 

What kind of action would you recommend? Something on the higher side, or low down?

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Posted

 

What kind of action would you recommend? Something on the higher side, or low down?

If you want the buzzy "mwah" type fretless sound, you need lower action. If you want a thumpy, low-sustain tone, higher action (which also lets you play a little harder without fretboard clanking).

 

Also, as mentioned above, the foam-mute trick: take a piece of egg-crate type foam, wedge it under the strings right in front of the bridge. You'll have to move it around and figure out what size works best for the tone you want, but it's a quick way to get the tone you've described. I used this on my (fretted) 60's Mustang on a recording session I was engineering - the bass player loved it, and never took his bass out of its case. Sounded amazingly upright-like in the mix, and that was the direct signal.

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Posted

If you want the buzzy "mwah" type fretless sound, you need lower action. If you want a thumpy, low-sustain tone, higher action (which also lets you play a little harder without fretboard clanking).


Also, as mentioned above, the foam-mute trick: take a piece of egg-crate type foam, wedge it under the strings right in front of the bridge. You'll have to move it around and figure out what size works best for the tone you want, but it's a quick way to get the tone you've described. I used this on my (fretted) 60's Mustang on a recording session I was engineering - the bass player loved it, and never took his bass out of its case. Sounded amazingly upright-like in the mix, and that was the direct signal.

 

Ahh, thanks for the tips! buzzy-mwah is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

Now I'm really excited to get it! I'm finishing up an album this year, but I'm already planning out our next one, which will be a kind of futuristic spy music. Nothing says spies like some sexy, sexy fretless bass. :idea:

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Posted

Judging by your description of the music style I would seriously consider the Ashbory. They're really cheap and should be great for p*ssing about with, especially if you only want it for one project.

 

Otherwise the Squier modified J Bass is pretty amazing value for money. Also look at rondomusic.com for the fretless basses there, also great value for money.

 

My personal fretless is a Kramer and its the balls... but they don't make them anymore. If you can catch one second hand you won't be disappointed.

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