Five or Fretless? GASsing for another Warwick

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Chipps

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I'm newish to bass (let's call it a year) though I've been into guitars for years. I've really enjoyed my introduction into the world of the low-end and I'm keen to play more. (I'm currently playing in a regular rehearsal/jam night blues band plus other bits and pieces and, while I'm no natural, I've found bass LOADS more enjoyable and comfortable than guitar). That suits me as I have no rock star aspirations... Anyway...

I've always loved having nice guitars (Fenders, a Gibson, a couple of PRS) and I have the same attitude to bass. I have a great, used Corvette 4 string (bubinga/wenge/wenge) and love it. I'm now looking to add to the stable - not because I need to, but because I want to... And we all know there's nothing wrong with that. So...

Should I:

a) Man-up and learn to master what is already a great four string bass?
b) Upgrade or trade up to another different/better [edit] Warwick (natch) bass?
c) Go five string and have fun trying to get the hang of that?
d) Go fretless four string and have fun trying to get the hang of that?

Sorry if the topic's been covered before...

All heckling welcome :wink:
 



Of course the topic's been thrashed a zillion times
and the cumulative wisdom is ALWAYS the same:

"ALL OF THE ABOVE".


I personally suggest the FL, cuz if you dig it you'll
have something special to offer, and if you don't,
you can sell the FL to me [real cheap] !! The only
times you can be certain that any advice is worth
exactly what it cost you ..... is when it's free.


 
Well, yeah... Golem is right... "All of the above" is a good choice...

If it was me though, I'd go with a bit of a) and a bit of d), but that's because I like fretless...

So there is a great many number of ways through which proper buoyancy of your naval embarkation can be obtained, and all have equivalent value...
 
How about:

e) Get an upright bass (either electric or acoustic... or both)
 
So you reckon that instead of just being terrible at fretless four string, I should go upright too and make a right jobby of it all? Sounds ideal :-)

As someone who still finds the nut on his Corvette about a fret further from where I'm expecting it to be, I'm not sure I'm going to take naturally to fretless as it is... Should be fun though.

As you're just down the road from me, I expect some notification if you're ever going to sell any of those fretless Warwicks you seem to be hiding.
 
Tbh if you haven't played a five string your not missing much. I did play 5 strings (fretelss and fretted) then dropped to 4 strings. I had to get a 5 string later as i missed it too much, you can see what i've now got in my sig, all thats left is a cs 5 string fretless and i think i'll have all the warwicks i'd ever need....anyway going a bit off topic....

Why not go fretless and 5 string lets you explore both at once. or if not grab a 4 string fretless as they are fun as hell to play. not to mention playing fretless will really help with bass playing in general and other ear training and stuff, which is all handy to know.
 
I reckon going five AND fretless might be too much of a mind-melt... And I only fancy a five string so I can play stuff in E and Eb without having to work out where the 7th should be... :)

Perhaps I should get a cheaper (non Warwick!) fretless and see if I'd like to complete the set. Or else I could splash out on a 'wick and then I'd be forced to get better at it...
 






  • (I think he's getting the hang of this .... )






 
I think you'll have loads more fun with a lined fretless than a 5 string. On my gas list, a corvette ash passive, yummy... But for cheaper thrills, I'd consider a Squier VM jazz!
 
For a cheaper fretless... just for a try out... I think my Rockbass Streamer is excellent. Not too many choices tone-wise (this is the passive version), but it sounds like a monster through the EBS Microbass... and the neck is superb. Not sure what prices are like for RBs now, but I got a really good deal on mine as it had been lying around the shop for a while.

I had a fretless Active Corvette rockbass for a while, and it was a very good bass, but the neck wasn't as playable as the cheaper Streamer, and it had to go to help pay for the $$. I've got a simple rule, no more than 3 basses at a time... one in, one out!
 
Very succinct... :)

I'll get to work tracking a fretless down and combine it with a good tuner to see if I can get some half-decent notes out of it. Earlier this evening I was leaning (back) towards a Fender/Squier Jazz, but having just spend two hours jamming with the blues band on my Corvette, I'm back in Warwick land again! We'll just have to see if any bargains crop up.
 
That's a good idea.
There's some amazing bargains going around.Ya should sit tight,keep an eye on ebay/craigslist/here,& when something comes up at a great price,jump on it.
How are ya in the amp/effects department?
If you cant decide on what type of bass to get,a new amp &/or effects might be just the ticket. :idea:
 
I'm OK for an amp (got an Ampeg Portabass combo), and I get to borrow a huge SWR rig at the rehearsal rooms. If I get out and gig where there isn't a PA then I'll look at getting a bigger amp stack - I do like the trouser-flapping experience.

As for effects. I currently don't fancy any. I have a box full of guitar effects and I'm happy to just keep my bass signal pure...

So... any UK folks with a Warwick fretless going spare, send me a note!
 
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