Buying a fretless

[OptimusBass]

Looking to buy a fretless bass, I'm aiming to get one for under £300 as Im new to fretless and I mainly just want it for playing around with at home.

I have checked out two, I have taken a look at the Fender Squier fretless and I have also looked at the John Wilkinson Vintage series fretless. Now I hear that the build quality is ok on the Vintage but not as good as the Squier but I love the beaten up look on the Vintage model though. Yet the sound on the fender with that "faux" ebony neck I think sounds great, Any tips, advice or other possible options?

By the way, I'm certainly no Pro at playing a fretted bass so I really do need a fretless with the fret markers on!

[Len_Derby]

I've got a Yamaha BBN4F fretless. I bought it second-hand from the 'Basschat' on-line forum. I paid about 200 I think. It's got a lined fingerboard. The fret lines are nice and subtle too, so they're not easy to see from a distance. The audience think I'm much better than I really am. Ha ha!
I've always thought Yahama gear is really good value for the money. They tend to go their own sweet way on design and looks though, so I think you either love 'em or hate 'em.

[OptimusBass]

Hi Len,

Yeah I checked out some Yamahas. not too keen on them. i realy like the traditional Fender Style. Im torn between the Fender Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (squier) and the Vintage Icon VJ96 Bass. Both in the same Price range £200-£280 As I am new to fretless I dont want to fork out loads of money when learning a new style. I am leaning towards the Squier as it looks nicer and sounds good but I cant work out whether I like the look of the vintage with its deliberate "wear and tear" paint job

[Straightshooter]

I have a Squie Vntage Modified fretless - it's very good. Maartin Allcock used one on Beth Neilsen Chapman's tour so it's capable of doing a professional job too.
http://www.maartinallcock.com/

[Dan-79]

Originally Posted by OptimusBass

Looking to buy a fretless bass, I'm aiming to get one for under £300 as Im new to fretless and I mainly just want it for playing around with at home.

I have checked out two, I have taken a look at the Fender Squier fretless and I have also looked at the John Wilkinson Vintage series fretless. Now I hear that the build quality is ok on the Vintage but not as good as the Squier but I love the beaten up look on the Vintage model though. Yet the sound on the fender with that "faux" ebony neck I think sounds great, Any tips, advice or other possible options?

By the way, I'm certainly no Pro at playing a fretted bass so I really do need a fretless with the fret markers on!

Just put a post up about doing a de-fret job yourself, if you never played fret-less before why not keep your eye out for a cheep fretted bass and convert it yourself and save yourself some £$£$, its really not that difficult.
heres the link : http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/ba...read.php?t=134

[Jacqueslemac]

Or log into the basschat forum. There are always secondhand ones coming up.

[Dan-79]

Theres the Warwick - Rockbass - Streamer, thats not a bad under £300 fretless