Saw a nice fretless yesterday.

[philthygeezer]

Just by chance, I spotted a 3 band fretless honeyburst SR4 at a pawn shop! It's got one ding through the finish at the base and the neck is dirty, but the back of it has no belt buckle rash. Probably about a 2003 methinks. It sounds good unplugged, but might be a little on the heavy side. The guy had roundwounds on it, which seems criminal. I didn't get a chance to plug it in.

They want about USD$835 (CAD$850+14% tax) for the thing though. I tried to talk him down and he said, "No.". So I walked away.

 

[Brim]

Sounds beautiful - a bit high on the price though for a used one.

What's wrong with roundwounds on a fretless? I don't get why people are freaked out about this - it truly brings out a great tone (mwahhhhhh) of the bass. I've got my fretless Sterling strung with Super Slinkies - it sounds phenomenal!

 

[philthygeezer]

Sounds beautiful - a bit high on the price though for a used one.

What's wrong with roundwounds on a fretless? I don't get why people are freaked out about this - it truly brings out a great tone (mwahhhhhh) of the bass. I've got my fretless Sterling strung with Super Slinkies - it sounds phenomenal!

I hate it when the fretboards get all marked up! Is this only a problem with rosewood though?

 

[bassmonkeee]

I hate it when the fretboards get all marked up! Is this only a problem with rosewood though?

Yeah, roundwounds leave some evidence on the fretboard. Are you looking at it, or are you playing it? If rounds is the sound you want, use rounds. If flats create the sound you want, use flats.

 

[prickly_pete]

That price is fair. It would most certainly fetch that on Ebay. btw, the fretless EBs don't have rosewood boards, they are pau ferro.

 

[philthygeezer]

That price is fair. It would most certainly fetch that on Ebay. btw, the fretless EBs don't have rosewood boards, they are pau ferro.

This is why I wonder if the Pau Ferro gets marked up as much as the rosewood. This one didn't have a mark on it. I thought maybe the rounds were just on for the sale.

So should I scoop it and play it for awhile? If I could get the same cash on the 'bay for it I'd really only be renting it at small cost...

 

[prickly_pete]

I've had flats on my fretless SR4 since I bought it new. It was ordered from the factory for me by a local dealer, so I am the only one besides the EB staff that has ever played it. Any string is going to make wear marks on a fretless wood fingerboard -- rounds much quicker that flats of course. I believe that pau ferro is a harder wood than indian rosewood. I don't believe you would lose much if any on that base if you sold it later. Try to get the dealer to let you have it for that price straight up and exclude the sales tax.

 

[philthygeezer]

I've had flats on my fretless SR4 since I bought it new. It was ordered from the factory for me by a local dealer, so I am the only one besides the EB staff that has ever played it. Any string is going to make wear marks on a fretless wood fingerboard -- rounds much quicker that flats of course. I believe that pau ferro is a harder wood than indian rosewood. I don't believe you would lose much if any on that base if you sold it later. Try to get the dealer to let you have it for that price straight up and exclude the sales tax.

Thanks, I'll give the sales tax thing a go. I'm curious to hear what it sounds like plugged in.

 

[shamus63]

Thanks, I'll give the sales tax thing a go. I'm curious to hear what it sounds like plugged in.

If he doesn't budge, come back in a week and ask him again.

 

[shamus63]

BTW ~ my '97 Sterling FL just came in today (strung w/RW's)...not a mark on the fretboard.

I have to wonder if this bass was even played...not that I'm complaining at all!

 

[Dr Stankface]

Trans red rocks doesn't it?

 

[shamus63]

Trans red rocks doesn't it?

It is a cool finish...this makes Trans Red #3 for me, the other two being an '89 and a '96 (both Rays).

 

[Bill]

I've been getting a little ansy for another Stingray...trans red might just be the ticket!