Electric Fretless Basses

(Originally written by motteherbeuse/translated from Audiofanzine FR) Bass guitar made in Korea with two great Bartolini pickups, passive/active operation, five controls (master volume, tone, low, mid, high) and active/passive switch. Great natural wood finish considering its price range. Accurate machine heads. Slim exotic wood neck. UTILIZATION Ergonomic neck and good access to the upper frets. A real delight! Weight and playability are very subjective things depending on the bassist. Given that I'm small, I carry the bass quite high with a short and very wide strap to avoid any backbone problems. That way I can easily carry the bass for three or four hours straight without getting tired (I haven't tried to play longer). The bass sounds good in active mode with the following EQ settings: few highs and mids and more lows. At first you'll have to play around with the controls and memorize their layout (from right to left: lows, mids, highs). Once you've done that you'll get the sound you're looking for, if you have a good amp (which doesn't necessarily mean an expensive one). SOUNDS It's perfect for me because I play Breton folk music. I play it with a 35-watt Hartke DE (used for monitoring). It allows me to play a lot of glissandi like with a double bass. I also use it with another band as support bass to play country music with an Ampeg B50 (for monitoring), though I usually play my US Jazz Bass. The NB4FL is good enough on its own and it doesn't need an effect pedal for the music styles I play. The only pedal I own is a Boss TU2 tuner I always take with me, especially when I tune double flat (DGDG) to play country music, which would normally require a 5-string bass. It sounds great like a double bass. I get a deep, round and clear low D sound when I set the low control to max. OVERALL OPINION I've been using it a lot for eight months and I didn't try out any other fretless bass guitars. I only read several forums and I don't regret my purchase, especially because the value for money is very good! I recommend fretless beginners to learn by heart all intervals from one point to another (points are placed on the neck) to avoid pitch problems. More so considering that notes are not always exactly between two points. With a fretted neck, frets are always narrower so use your ears. There have been times at the end of live gigs when people come to me and ask about my bass, even people who are not musicians. And it looks wonderful. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again and I recommend it to every bassist. Have musical fun!

-Made in Indonesia -Two Duncan Designed single coil jazz pick-ups -Three knobs (Bridge volume, neck volume, master tone) -Ebonol fingerboard with white celluloid fret lines -Thin jazz style neck with 9.5" radius -Available only in 3-color sunburst -No pick-guard -Standard 4 barrel Fender style bridge UTILIZATION The neck is very thin at the headstock end which makes this bass really comfortable for playing for prolonged periods. The build and set up of this bass when it arrived to make this a really enjoyable instrument to play. I don't really like the fingerboard on this bass, the ebonol definitely has a distinctly different feel and tone to wooden fingerboards. This bass is lighter than my Mexican made Fender so it's nice to play for longer without shoulder ache. I find the standard jazz bass set up of bridge pick-up volume, neck pick-up volume and master tone is a really good way to dial in a great tone and not too complicated either. SOUNDS I use this bass with both my Ashdown MAG300 combo and my Roland Bass Cube 30 combo and it sounds great with either. This bass definitely has a mid range growl to the sound which sounds great played with fingers or a plectrum. The tone pot on this bass has a nice range so can be used with great creative effect to provide some good tones. The bridge and neck pick-up volume knobs can also be used to sculpt the tone hugely. I plan on re-stringing this bass with flatwound strings soon as I believe it will suit the tone of the pick-ups better. OVERALL OPINION My favorite thing about this bass is the feel of the neck as it allows me to play fast comfortably. My least favorite thing about this bass is the fingerboard as it feels unnatural to use although I'm sure the material is helping contribute the the nice tone this instrument has. I think this is a good instrument for the price and makes a good first fretless bass to test the waters into fretless playing with. I'd prefer if there where more choices in colour and if there was a pick-guard but these factors don't matter a great deal to me.

(Originally written by benabena/translated from Audiofanzine FR) I know, I didn't post a picture. And the bass guitar is right in front of me. And my camera isn't far away. Life can be hard. Made in China but some parts are the same as the parts of a real Warwick. 24 frets, two MEC JJ active pickups, volume for both pickups, pickup balance control, low and high knobs. Alder body, bolt-on maple neck, striped ebony fingerboard. Blue stain finish, which I personally like. Provided with strap locks. Only problem by delivery: The output connector was lose but I tightened it in a few seconds. UTILIZATION Ultra-pleasant neck for my extra-large hands. I find Warwick bodies very ergonomic to play sitting (I'm old) and standing. The controls are ergonomically placed on the body. Regarding its weight, you can feel it's a 5-string and its heavier than its 4-string sister. But you'll forget about it very fast. Good circuitry, very effective controls. I play without effects and I haven't discovered all sound possibilities yet. SOUNDS Raw rock music with wild spasms... I connect the bass directly to the mixer till I get the matching stack (I'm thinking of a Gallien Krueger). The bass guitar has a huge and versatile sound range depending on the musician and the settings. It is very responsive. From double bass-like sounds to very hard and smacking sounds to classic sounds, the possibilities are impressive. But the instrument is so responsive that the musician must have a very accurate playing. Every nuance is reproduced... OVERALL OPINION The most impressive thing is the sound range depending on the playing style. Awesome value for money. Perhaps I was lucky and I got a good one. It's feasible. It's hard to find one. I had to insist on this model at the store because it's not referenced in the catalog. I can imagine fretless lefties aren't much business for a store... I think I will keep it for life, I already eat and sleep with it. And I would buy it again. If I buy another bass guitar it will be a custom instrument from a luthier, whom I'll explain thoroughly what I want from it.

made in china, vol,vol, tone boost active, 9 volt battery, 24 frets, esp pickups precision, jazz pickup configuration, esp neck and bridge. UTILIZATION easy access on last frets,sound adjust a little tricky , shape and weight good. SOUNDS acoustic b200h 200watt, 4x10 and1x15 cabinets, effects, compressor, distortion, bass chorus, digital delay, bass synth, sounds all good,clean or distorted. style of music all even metal. OVERALL OPINION like it no least,value used or new good, sound quality is good. no other models tried, choice again yes.

Briefly: Hot Dang this bass is cool! Well, OK I'll elaborate. This is the Fender Precision Fretless Tony Franklin signature 4 string bass. I have a think for sunburst basses. This bass also came with a hip red tort pickguard. Other colors are Olymic White, a Natural Amber color and Black. Actually there is a fretted version out on the market too, but I have not played that yet. A studio I was recording at had one of these beauties so I was able to play it off an on for a few weeks. Normally these will cost $1700. The price tag is a bit hefty but you are getting alotta bass for the price. It is rare that you see a fretless Precision, but even rarer that there is an extra hot Jazz bass pickup added in the bridge position. Throw in a 3 way pickup selector like what is on the early Stratocasters and you have endless options of tone. It can do the Jaco sound as well as just sound like a thumpy fat P-bass. The C-shaped neck is nice and full, but not a baseball bat. Sometimes really thin Jazz bass necks cramp my hand, this neck is perfect. The electronics are passive, so no fooling around with batteries here. The fretboard is ebony. What's so good about that? You can use any strings you want since Ebony is a hardwood roundwound strings will not leave marks as they would on a rosewood board. There is a Hipshot D-tuner which lowers the E string down to a D. This feature is note-worthy, but not really essential to my playing. There are not many ways this bass could be improved. If I made more money or if it were cheaper I'd but the fretted model as well. Well built. They through of everything. The D-tuner, ebony fingerboard, hot wound Jazz pickup. The neck plate is unique. It features Tony's signature which can be removed if you are not crazy about it. I could care less, it's a neck plate, no one sees it anyway. Tony Franklin dreamed it up and Fender built it! A great fretless P/J bass. This bass can do a fat warm ballad or a cutting rocker. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is a bass that will make you tilt your head like a dog that so badly wants to say, 'Huh?' The SR2010ASC Ashula Limited Edition by Ibanez takes their popular 4-string fretted SR series and tacks on to additional strings over a fretless section of the fretboard. Essentially it is like being able to have a fretless and a fretted bass in one bass on one neck. It is tuned E A D G then repeats D and G for the fretless end of the fretboard. I did not buy this bass but I spent a decent amount of time demoing it for people in a local shop. The bass can be had for right around $1000 Surprisingly the neck is bearable. It is a bit daunting at first, but you will get the hang of it in a few minutes. A really cool feature is you have two separate volumes for the fretted and fretless pickups. The preamp is the familiar volume, blend and bass and treble boost. The overall electric tone of Ibanez never really excited me. I have played and owned a few, but never get a tone I'm in love with. The instruments play and feel great, just hard for me to dial in a sound. 5 piece neck and an Ash body which is reasonably light for Ash. Rosewood fretboard, Chrome hardware and a very cool natural finish. The most innovative bass I think I have ever seen. If George Jetson were to buy a bass it would be the Ibanez SR2010ASC This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Pro player for 30+ years in a few name acts. Currently working in two classic rock/original bands. Musicians Friend-$699.00 Absolutely the best buy of any bass I've tried. Action much superior to my USA Fender Deluxe Jazz V and a fatter tone. Perfectly articulated low B string and low fast wide neck that plays like a dream.Beautiful finish in sunburst w/maple board.Puts basses at more than twice the price to shame. A real pro player's ax at a median price. A little on the heavy side due to the ash body but not excessively. Too bad this bass at double the price can't be made in the USA. It would be worth it. $3000.00 for a 55-94 is a little silly. Flawlessly constructed, beautifully finished and set up to play perfectly out of the box(unheard of !). Fantastic bargain for pro or learner and anyone in between.Start makin' em' in the USA Lakland ! This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I am buying this bass at my local peavey dealer it is costing me a full 1600 dollars for the redwood finish. Plays wonderfully compets with every other fender rickenbacker warwick or stingray and beats them this is the only bass that can match the recent legendary Fender Hot-Rodded American P-bass i have one of both now the action is sweet the sound is killer looks are magnificent neck-through string through active electronics strap locks play one and you will understand. the only problem is the 6 month waiting period on the bass it must be hand built buy order. I haven't done harder testing because i have to wait six-months to get it but from what i can see it should be good If you want a expensive high class bass the will make you shake just by hearing the name buy this if not go with somthing else. and if you want to buy this you need to be dedicated you don't want to buy it then six months later when you get it realize you hate playing bass. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this bass in Monroe Washington at a little music store many years ago to play in a three piece cover band. I must have tried 200 bass guitars previous to purchasing this one, for some reason it sounded and played like a dream compared to other brands and models. "It was love at first sight". If I recall correctly I think i paid in the nieborhood of $700.00 give or take a few. The sustain power is awsome, it is smooth and has great tone. I have owned this guitar since around 1985 and it still plays and sounds like I just bought it. It is heavy Solid This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this MIM bass used but in like new condition at auction on Ebay for $240. I wanted a fretless with a thin neck and this fit the bill nicely. The neck is thin and fast and the fretlines and side markers make it easy to find your place on the neck. The classic J-Bass body is well balanced and still looks as cool as ever. The tone with flatwounds is pure warmth. This lends it perfectly to old rock and jazz and, being old, well, that's what I play. The tuners seem to be too easy to knock out of tune with their big, clunky keys. The pick-ups are weak and produce a prodigious hum if you crank the volume too high near the amp or a computer, or a flourescent fixture, or...for instance. This thing would make an excellent weapon for hand-to-hand combat. It's built like a fortress and could easily kill a man. The neck joint looks like it could have a little gap in it, but it's tight and stable. The finish is smooth an glossy and shines up nice. The bridge is standard Fender (read: cheesy) but works to get the job done. Good sustain and tone and an overall solid feel make this bass a classic for a reason. Here's the skinny: If you want a fretless that sounds good, looks good, is reasonably priced and plays like butter, look no further. Be ready with a good amp, since the pickups need help, but other than that, it's definately a keeper. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Paid $1600 for the guitar. I lusted over the bass on the wall for some 4 months...figuring (scheming) about how I could get the money into my savings faster so I could buy it. I was looking at basses to switch over too but honestly I had my sights narrowed on an American Standard Jazz (5 string Rosoce Beck model) and a Red Carvin. The Jazz had that fantastic thump we all expect...and the Carvin had effects out the...well effects city. When I got done I asked the counter guy if there was something between the cool sound of the Jazz and the Carvin...he showed me the Warwick. Game over...the Warwick fit me, fit my hands, fit my sound requirements...I'd found the guitar that I could afford that I LOVED. The wood body...the deep wood tones in the wood...the way the bass resonates when I play it. The neck to body aspect ratio in terms of looks. It's a "longer" scale bass which I was looking for (being an owner of a Hofner (real short scale)) I needed something to stretch out on. I have to have a ready supply of 9 volts. The shop where I had purchased the bass had replaced the volume knobs and they may have been Warwick but they weren't all Thumb style. So I called Dana B. Goods (sole distributor here in the states) and the guy took down my name and addr and sent me a new set of knobs. (he asked the shop's name as well...) The bass had been played probably loaned out and had some dings but nothing major or anything that I worry about. Much of my disappointment relates to the vendor and NOT with the guitar so this may not be a fair measure. Dana B. Goods WAS responsive beyond my needs, much to the chagrin of a previous reviewer. The guitar is made of an African wood called Ovangkol and I believe the neck is bubinga, another African wood akin to Ironwood (very dense and tough to dent). The Workmanship was obviously fantastic when I picked it up and looked it over. I'd looked over dozens of basses before finding the Warwick (ones I could afford and others I couldn't) so I was looking for the most insignificant of defects or detractions. In my estimation my Warwick has none. I've owned "Gumby" (not my name saw it on Dana B. Goods) for over a year now and I LOVE playing it...unplugged and plugged...passive and active. The neck dives but I don't really mind...it's less than an issue. The sound...well...the guys I play with know when she's plugged in. They can hear the difference between the '60s technology in the Hofner and the '90s technology in the Warwick. If I purchase again it will be a Warwick. I'm loaded down with German basses. :) This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I had this bass on order on Sept. 31st, 2002, from Tom Lee Music. It was the most readily available fretless four-string at the time. Over 2 months later, on December 5th, it finally came in after a long delay from the Yamaha distributor. The price was $319 plus tax. The fretless sound is very unique, and I must admit that sliding up and down the fretboard kept me entertained for quite a long time. Now I use it mainly for an alternate sound, which you can't get on a fretted bass. This bass is very light and weighted wonderfully, and an awesome way to practice precision (lined fret spaces), and a nice transition to upright bass. It is mist green color, which you don't see on too many guitars. The delay in Yamaha's shipping of the bass was one of the only downsides. I understand how it could take a couple months to get in, however, we heard different stories from different people working there. One said it was in, then another said it wasn't yet, so it was really hard to tell when they were telling the truth or lying. Also, the bass was not set up too well, the axion was too high, but I managed to work on that myself. Also, the jack for the patch cord wasn't very great when I first got it, the patch cord wouldn't go in all the way unless you really pushed hard on it. I had the same experience when trying out the same bass (fretted) at a local music store. Very lightweight, and I would say of average quality, especially for the $319 (canadian) price. It feels a little weak and not as strong as some other basses I own, but that could just be the lightness of it. There is a small dent on it, I don't know how it dented but it annoyed me that it dented so easily. It's definitely worth the price. If you want to start fretless, this is the way to go... unless you have a lot of money in which case I suggest you get a 6 string fretless Carl Thompson bass. Yamaha does well though, and I will have this bass until I can afford something better. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com