I’ve gotten my hands on a couple fretless basses to test out. I love the feel and tone and was surprised to find it felt very natural to play. I want to try some more.
I’m hunting for a first fretless of my own now. Unfortunately, there are very few options on the used market locally. Nothing on FBM and MGR has nothing I’d want to start with.
Guitar Center has a used Ibanez SR300F (circa 2010) for $300. The weird “Style Sweeper” pot is going dead (I presume a relatively easy fix), and I’d want to solder in a new 9v connector to replace a previous owners shoddy work. Otherwise I’m looking new at like an Ibanez SR370EF for $430. That seems like not a major premium for a nicer instrument in better shape.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Get the Ibanez at GC if they’ll fix the bad pot? Just be more patient-er and wait for something decent to pop up used? Give it a couple months to see if the GAS subsides or grows for the Ibanez 900?
i mean we’re all different. but if it were me and at that price, i would simply get one that works correctly. it’s not like it’s a ton of money, and there always seems to be a ton of basses like that on reverb.
GC’s tech was out sick yesterday when I tried it. I might buy it at $300 if they fix the pot. There is stuff around that price on Reverb, but when you add on shipping costs, it evens out with a new Ibanez 370 from Sweetwater or GC.
Following this closely as I am in a similar situation. Unsure if Fretless is for me, so Ibby seems an affordable way to go. The only thing I noticed about the SR370EF is they seem kinda heavy (8.15 as per Sweetwater).
I don’t know if you’re willing to look at a short scale fretless, but if you are, you can’t go wrong with the fretless Sire U5. I paid about 550 €. Should be similar in USD. Sire ships it with flats, so that saves 40-50 €/$.
Here are my two U5’s, one fretted, one fretless. Really solid hardware. Really well built. And the J bridge pup is silent!
It is a beautiful bass, with a beautiful sound. I fortunately managed to pay only under 900€ for it, reason why I considered it. Had I not this deal, I would’ve gone Sire or something up to 500-600€. It’s my relaxing/nostalgic bass.
I do believe that everyone should own a fretless, as I have noticed that my fingering has improved quite a bit since I got the fretless, not having to rely as much as “counting” frets by touching them. I’m not a fretless expert, but I do love the tone. It is light due to being semi-hollow… and it has all the comfort of a SR bass.
I don’t think I want short scale fretless. I have not yet owned either a fretless or a short scale, so I don’t know if either one is really right for me. I don’t want to change too many variables at once.
I’ve done a few IT works here and there and some shops in my home town offer me discounts… it was already cheaper than Thomann… with my discount was 900€
SRD905F AFAIK is a 2024 release… so hard to find deals on used.
If you are going to get and Ibanez why not from the resident’s Signature model Gary Willis. There are 3 price point. However that only comes in 5 string.
30 (fret) neck will be a new adjustment unless you already have their 30 frets bass counterpart, and the confusing side dots and inlays marking plus the dark fret line on a faux ebony fingerboard is absolutely not fun.
Usually an unlined Fretless the side dots represent the line which indicate where to play, since it has nearly invisible line the fingerboard has normal fret line inlays on this one is similar to my Ibanez which has Fretless side dots and conventional dots. Not a fan!
I haven’t played 5-string yet. Trying to change fewer variables. Although I’m more inclined to get 5-string than short scale. The cheapest one is also $950, which isn’t cheap.
I’m also confused because that still has the same orientation of side dots laid out like on a fretted neck.
I’m not set on Ibanez specifically, just that they have the most budget-friendly entry ones, and I love the look of that 900f. Otherwise, I’m open to maybe a fretless Sire or something.
The SRH and the portamento are two of my favourite fretless basses
I like my GWB-35 well enough but it’s pretty meh, the preamp isn’t great…if I’d paid full price for it I’d be less happy. I think the 2 “better” models are a significant improvement but they’re pretty expensive. Ibanez won’t even sell you the pups/preamp of the better models if you can’t prove you own one.
did you go with the a lined fretless or unlined? I just got a sr500 from GC its a lot of fun super light, bart soap bar pick up,fast neck only thing I don’t like the angle plug in, bur the price was right for a used 4 string. I will post a picture of it as soon as I figure out how to post pictures
I bought it second hand, via FBM. It’s perfect - no dents, scratches or other marks. For the money, it’s excellent. In fact, I was playing a punk song on it this evening
Have you looked on Reverb?
Do a search for Fretless Bass (New or Used or B Stock) and your price range and I bet something will come up. I’m not a Fretless player at all but want to learn because I love the sound, especially Karn and Palladino recordings. I know I’ve seen some B-Stock Kingston basses from MTD selling for cheap there but don’t know if any were Fretless.
