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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| To anyones knowledge did Ovation ever produce an electric solid-body fretless bass? thanks,steve |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7251
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Why yes they did. The Ovation Magnum I came in a fretless version. The Typhoon semi-hollow Storm Series guitars also had a Fretless in the lineup. I do not know if there is a current Fretless Viper Bass, but I'll just bet they'd make'ya one if you asked. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | While on the subject of fretless basses, has anyone out there ever heard of (or played) a "WishBass"?
www.wishbass.com
Saw a small ad in GP today and checked out the website.
The owner (one Steve Wishnevski) lists on his credentials a couple year stint at Ovation/New Hartford under Jim Rickard amongst others.
Anyone? |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | The prices on those wish basses are ludicrous, if you take out the price of materials, pickups & hardware & break the cost down to man-hours alone, he's got to be producing these things for less than mimimum wage. They look well made from good materials, if a little eccentric. I can't believe they're so cheap. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | NO truss rod. NO finish. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | They will have some kind of neck reinforcement. An adjustable rod is not necessary if a neck is built right in the first place, in fact an adjustable rod places stress on a neck which a non-adjustable neck reinforcement doesn't. There is a finish, it's just not a high gloss finish. They're obviously cutting corners, but small-shop USA-produced basses at those prices? The hardware & pickups look cheap, I don't think they look particularly nice or well designed, but they appear to be well made from good woods, and they cost less than an import! |
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December 2001
Posts: 7251
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | If you check out the Ordering page you will see a ton of cool upgrade options including adjustable truss rod neck. This looks like a decent bass, and the price it unbelievable. I guess if you can only spend less than $500, you might was well get something cool. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I agree with Miles.
I mean a couple of 'em are downright hideous-looking, but some look rather cool. I was thinking of getting a cheap "gigging" bass and the wood-look fits into the whole acoustic, "wooden" motif. (I also kinda like the idea of helping an underdog "cottage" industry.)
I'D consider buying one.
Was just throwing it out to see if anybody knew anything about 'em. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 21
| A friend at work ordered a wishbass as his first bass (I think he had about $375 into it, including my recommended upgrades to fretted neck and trussrod). He ordered the "totally wild" model, and the neck on it is very reminiscent (sp?) of an upright bass; nice and meaty with at least 3-piece construction (can't remember exactly how many, but it was real solid and reasonably well done). Judging by the size of the neck, I can almost buy the "trussrod optional" argument but I recommended a trussrod to my friend to tweak the relief (honestly, I'm not even sure the trussrod would have much effect on that much wood lol). The TW looks very cool, but it a bit neck-heavy due to the combo of the massive neck and the cutout in the body. The pickup was an EMG select (needs to be shimmed to the proper height with foam) and sounds ok but that is easy enough to fix IMHO. I thought the craftsmanship and woodworking was pretty decent, and the wax finish reminded me of a warwick that I used to own. I was actually pretty impressed, especially considering the price. The owner was very pleasant to deal with, and offered some helpful advice to get my friend what he wanted. My friend wanted something different to learn how to play (major music fan becoming a participant), and we agreed that even if the instrument becomes unplayable it would look nice as sculpture hanging on the wall lol. I was pretty well surprised for the money; it's got a cool vibe and plays well enough. Replace the pickup and I'd gig it...
and Paul T, my apologies for not getting back to you sooner - things have been busy lately. When ya coming back for another party lol? My door is always open... |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Anyone interested in a fretless Magnum I?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2531070142&category=4713 |
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Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 56
| That bass does not look "fretless" to me. The fretlines are clearly visible on the neck.
Perhaps they are flush with the neck itself, and thus only serve as position markers rather than actual frets.
Alina |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Lots of frettless basses have lines inlaid into the fret slots as a visual aid. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7251
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | The Magnum I's that I have seen, including mine, and the Typhoon fretless for that matter both have lines where the frets would be if it had them. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | "Training Wheels"
(kinda' like the salt and the lime when drinking tequila!) :cool: |
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Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Most of the time you don't use the fret-lines, even when you begin on a fretless. It kinda reminds me of playing slide without the slide. |
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Fretless bass