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#1938040 - 05/06/08 12:15 PM

Cool, inexpensive fretless

RalphM
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Picked up this Squier fretless at GC the other day

This is essentially the Squier version of the Jaco bass -

I'd never played fretless before and I had no problem jumpin' right in with this bass. It's got the looks, the tone, and it's a great "player".

I'm lovin it - and at less than $300 new, I think it's a steal.

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#1938044 - 05/06/08 12:29 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

getz76
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Congrats.

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#1938052 - 05/06/08 12:51 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: getz76]

Phil W
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Deal.

Soundclips please!

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#1938061 - 05/06/08 01:11 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

kenfxj
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I picked one up myself about a month ago. I bought it having on hand a fretless Fender neck I planned to swap in. I also intended to switch to flatwounds. After getting it home and playing it I decided to stick with the ebonal Squier neck and the stock rounds.

Incredible value, these Squier Vintage Modifieds.

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#1938095 - 05/06/08 02:09 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: kenfxj]

Paul K
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Originally Posted By: kenfxj

....(snip)...ebonal...(snip)...

You know, that ebonal stuff gives a rather pleasing slap and pop sound. Not like frets, but a bunch more snap than rosewood. IMHO, very cool.

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#1938139 - 05/06/08 03:32 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Paul K]

dcr
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Yes, that is an outstanding deal. Good call!

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#1938141 - 05/06/08 03:33 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Paul K]

jeremy c
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Nothing wrong with Ebanol. As far as I know, it's not an endangered species. $;\)$

Not like Naugahyde. I think Naugas are extinct. I haven't seen any Naugahyde in years.

I just sold my Wendler fretless that had an ebanol fingerboard and got a new Wendler that has an ebony fingerboard. Wow, what a difference! It cost a lot more than $300. $\:\)$

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#1938241 - 05/06/08 06:13 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

b5pilot
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Congrats! I love the look of a sunburst j-bass. I tried one of those the other day and they are very nice. I wouldn't mind getting one but if I did my wife would have my head on a platter.

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#1938247 - 05/06/08 06:27 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: jeremy c]

Luke73
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Great work on the new Squier RalphM!

Those Squiers are incredible value!

Originally Posted By: jeremy c

I just sold my Wendler fretless that had an ebanol fingerboard and got a new Wendler that has an ebony fingerboard. Wow, what a difference! It cost a lot more than $300. $\:\)$

Hey Jeremy, what strings are you using on the Wendler with the ebony board?

I'm thinking my new fretless might be an ideal opportunity to try out TI Jazz Flats....

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#1938320 - 05/06/08 09:22 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Luke73]

theTragicRich
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Sounds like a wonderful fish! I don't think I've ever played an ebonol fingerboard. All of mine have been rosewood except my starter fretless which was... plastic I think. It's supposed to be pretty resistant to fretwear right? How does it sound? The growl too bright, or does it come off pretty natural?

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#1938337 - 05/06/08 11:39 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Luke73]

jeremy c
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Originally Posted By: Luke73

Hey Jeremy, what strings are you using on the Wendler with the ebony board?

I'm thinking my new fretless might be an ideal opportunity to try out TI Jazz Flats....

That's what I'm using: TI Jazz Flats.

If you want that Jaco growl, you won't get it. Otherwise, they are wonderful strings.

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#1938339 - 05/07/08 12:09 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: jeremy c]

Luke73
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I'm not really after the Jaco growl - would prefer a warmer rounder fretless sound, but still want the notes to sound nice and articulate - maybe a little less "thumpy" than what I would think of when I think of flats.

I've ordered some TI Jazz flats - they'll be here tomorrow. I think they might be just what I'm looking for.

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#1938391 - 05/07/08 05:23 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Luke73]

Phil W
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Yes, I've just switched to TI jazz flats on the Wal. I lost that Jaco growl from the old roundwounds but I hated the brightness of new rounds anyway. They are a thinner gauge and lower tension to what my bass was used to though so I had to have a thorough set up.

They are wonderful strings.

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#1938397 - 05/07/08 05:41 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Phil W]

Davo-London
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They're alright I suppose. If you like that sort of thing.

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#1938440 - 05/07/08 06:44 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Davo-London]

RalphM
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I love the tone possibilities with this bass - it features "Duncan Designed" pickups. With the treble all the way up you're in Jaco territory. I prefer a more muted tone and when you roll off the highs it instantly becomes warm and phat. That's saying a lot when you consider that it's a passive bass and there's only one(typical Jazz Bass) tone control.

I took the bass to band practice last night. I took it along mostly as a "show and tell" kind of thing. My bandmates were so taken in by the "new" sound that they want me to use it on gigs now.

Quote:

After getting it home and playing it I decided to stick with the ebonal Squier neck and the stock rounds.

I think the neck on this bass is just amazing. Ebanol? Who cares?
It's very fast and slick. And after all, the n e c k is what you play.

Edited by RalphM (05/07/08 07:02 AM)

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#1938447 - 05/07/08 06:54 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Davo-London]

Luke73
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Originally Posted By: PhilW

so I had to have a thorough set up

...that's fine - I'm happy doing a full setup.

.....looking forward to trying them out - everything I've read about the TI Jazz Flats leads me to believe they'll be what I'm after.

Originally Posted By: Davo-London

CEO Save our Roundwounds

Would you like me to send you some tired old DR Sunbeams?

$\:D$

$;\)$

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#1938466 - 05/07/08 07:12 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

rizzo9247
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I bought one of those fellers from musiciansfriend's scratch and dent section for just over 2 beans. I slapped a new bridge on it along with TI flats and it sounded superb. It didn't fit what I was doing at the time and couldn't justify 4 basses, so I flipped it. I regret selling it, but what can you do, we all have the one that slipped away... I find it funny, because it can easliy replaced at that price sometime in the future. I did not sell it with the TI flats, I'm not that crazy $\:\)$

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#1938521 - 05/07/08 08:21 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

jeremy c
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Originally Posted By: RalphM

I think the neck on this bass is just amazing. Ebanol? Who cares?
It's very fast and slick. And after all, the n e c k is what you play.

I thought you played the strings.

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#1938541 - 05/07/08 08:56 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

kenfxj
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Originally Posted By: RalphM

Quote:

After getting it home and playing it I decided to stick with the ebonal Squier neck and the stock rounds.

I think the neck on this bass is just amazing. Ebanol? Who cares?
It's very fast and slick. And after all, the n e c k is what you play.

My initial plan was to go with the rosewood (since I had one handy) but like I said, I'm digging the Ebonal.

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#1938551 - 05/07/08 09:11 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: kenfxj]

Mike Chini
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I actually bought one of these but the guys at GC were giving me 20 minutes of administrative problems so I just left without the bass. I then went to a couple of other stores but their stock was a mess...warped necks, scratchy pots etc. I think it's a great buy but if at all possible, try and play one in person first. It sounded really good though so I may still pick one up again.

#1938565 - 05/07/08 09:38 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: jeremy c]

Paul K
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Originally Posted By: jeremy c

Originally Posted By: RalphM

I think the neck on this bass is just amazing. Ebanol? Who cares?
It's very fast and slick. And after all, the n e c k is what you play.

I thought you played the strings.

Sure. But I play the radio.

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#1939081 - 05/08/08 06:38 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Paul K]

Luke73
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I play the fool.

$\:D$

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#1939410 - 05/08/08 05:56 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: RalphM]

JazzerT
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Just played one myself today - SWEET!! Plays better than my other fretless 4's and sounds just as good.

Just a hint on strings - I've been using LaBella Nylon wound strings on my fretless 4's since '87 and on my fretless 7 since the day I got it. Tone controls and fingers determine how much roundwound bite or growl or woody upright tone you want. And they don't eat fingerboards while you're performing.

#1939421 - 05/08/08 06:12 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: JazzerT]

jlrush
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Good score Ralph. I want one of those too. $\:D$ They're darn good looking basses.

Howdy Jazzer, welcome aboard.
A friend had nylon strings on his fretless and there was a great discrepancy in volume between the higher and lower strings. The G and D were much weaker than the other two. Is this common with nylons?

Edited by jlrush (05/08/08 06:14 PM)

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#1939436 - 05/08/08 06:38 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: jlrush]

JazzerT
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Thanks jlrush!
I had a bum D string once - replaced it and all was good. I bought a set of don't-remember-the-brand British made nylons (NOT Rotosounds) long time ago. They were inconsistent, string to string. Other than that, LaBellas have been great - as great as a set of strings can be that get replaced once every 6 years.
.....if that frequently!

BTW - have a Cort GB75 - has Barts and a Bart pre, set up same as a Lakland. WOW! Records great, plays great!

#1939453 - 05/08/08 07:37 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: JazzerT]

jlrush
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That's interesting to hear about your Cort. Mine has Mighty Mite pups and preamp. I like them just fine, but have wondered about Bart pups and preamp, and thought about replacing them just for grins.

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#1939456 - 05/08/08 07:47 PM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Luke73]

Chewbubba
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Originally Posted By: Luke73

I play the fool.

$\:D$

That made me laugh

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#1939677 - 05/09/08 07:32 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: Chewbubba]

rizzo9247
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As I mentioned in a previous post, it was an excellent bass for the money. My only problem is that it had a little "fret buzz" which kind of turned me off a bit. I felt that if you missed your fingering just a tad you would hear a little buzz because the surface of the ebonol board and the inserted fret lines were not completely level. If you own one, run your fingers between the strings up and down the fretboard and see if you feel the little dips in the neck like I had.

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#1939703 - 05/09/08 08:07 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: rizzo9247]

CMDN
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Everybody plays the fool... sometimes.
There's no exception to the rule.
It may be factual, it may be cruel.

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#1939746 - 05/09/08 08:55 AM

Re: Cool, inexpensive fretless [Re: CMDN]

jeremy c
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You're the Main Ingredient.

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