do'nt know where to look

[no propellers]

I am looking to get a new bass. I want a fretless, preferably a 5 or 6 string. Right now i have a Schecter C-4, an a Epiphone Sheraton II; both of which I want to sell so I can afford a decent fretless, probably used. I want to spend about 600 or so. i don't really know where to look, my local shop doesnt have a good selection and ive had bad expereicne with buying guitars online, and me not trying them out first.
I thought at first that the Schecter had decent tone, but now it just seems dead. i want a warm tone, i love the tone of double basses, and i would liek a bass that would give me that color of tone.
I've been keeping my eye on craigslist, but nothing yet.

[DaveMustaine12]

I know you said you had bad experience buying things online, but I am going to suggest this bass: http://guitarplaza.com/deanedfretel2.html
I used to own it; it's a great instrument.
If you still don't want to order online, then you could have your local Dean (or whatever other brand you go for) dealer order it for you so you can try it out first.

[FunkMetalBass]

Are you opposed to a defret? The only reason I ask is because stock fretless basses are only slighty more common than lefty basses, and finding 5 and 6 string fretless even online at that price is difficult.

If you are looking for a new stock fretless, I'd recommend getting a neck-trough Brice fretless from http://www.rondomusic.net and using the difference in price to upgrade the electronics.

There's also the Gary Willis sig for a 5-string fretless, but I think they may be a tad over $600. You'd have to check. Never played it, but it's an Ibanez and Gary Willis has a nice tone.

If you want to go used, Carvin fretlesses are always popping up on eBay and they sound decent and play great. Deans frequent eBay also, but I prefer the look and feel of Carvin basses.

[no propellers]

Are you opposed to a defret? The only reason I ask is because stock fretless basses are only slighty more common than lefty basses, and finding 5 and 6 string fretless even online at that price is difficult.

ive thought about the defret. i would want to switch out the pickups too. im not sure exactly how hard it is, but i would like to explore the option of a 5 string first.

[Sablate McNuff]

Pickups are extremely easy provided you find something that just drops in.

The defret is actually ridiculously simple. Probably an hour or two of work over a couple of days.

[DaveMustaine12]

Yeah, defretting is pretty easy. All you need is several tools and you are ready to go. There are plenty of good guides on defretting out there.

[no propellers]

what kind of pickups would you suggest?

[FunkMetalBass]

I like EMG and SD Basslines myself. They use a pretty standard size pickup.

It's going to depend on the size of the pickups installed as I'm sure you probably don't want to have to route a cavity.