Vintage - V940FL (Fretless)

Wintermute · 05-07-2005, 10:50 PM

[url=http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintagebass.html]Manufacturer's Website[/url]

MSRP = £250
I paid = £220

Note - Not available outside the UK, to my knowledge.

Playing experience - Nearly three years. Tried several other fretlesses before buying this one.

Four string, 34" scale, Bubinga body, black hardware, maple neck, unlined fretless rosewood fingerboard. Two octave range (what would be 24 fret, if it had frets). Active 'Wilkinson'-brand active electronics in a P/J configuration. Controls are Volume, Treble, Bass and Pickup Balance. Bolt on neck.

This is a very nice bass.

The Bubinga body means it is fairly heavy - it's actually a little heavier than my six string. But you soon adjust to it, and if it's really a problem, a wide padded strap should more than solve it.

Everything about this bass screams "Smooth". When I pick it up, it's all I can do not to rub my face on it. The natural Bubinga finish and the un-varnished neck give it a very natural, fast feel. It's well balanced, giving me zero neckdive whether I'm standing or seated.

The tone is warm, and punchy. The active EQ offers a fair range of tones, but the bass EQ is certainly more powerful than the treble. The treble does a pretty reasonable job, but if you turn the bass up to full, you can say goodbye to your eardrums. I mean, I know fretlesses are known for being boomy, but wow. All the controls have a central detente to help you find the midpoint.

The Precision pickup is a little noisier than I'd like, but every company in the world makes P/J pickups. If I'm feeling bored and rich in the future, I may replace them.

It stays in tune very well, which is always critical for a fretless. I check it every time I use it on my Boss GT-6B (review coming up later) and it seldom needs anything but the most minor tweak.

This bass also has the added advantage that if you use it, people will stop and stare. It is very, very pretty.

It is everything you'd expect from the flagship model of a very respected budget brand. I would't be surprised if in the UK Vintage outsold Squier. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't. They're certainly better quality. And this is the most expensive, and the most luxurious 4-stringer they do.

For the price, I find it hard to fault. I prefer this bass to basses worth twice as much.

You will not find a better fretless for the price.

4.5/5

WhoDidTheElf · 05-07-2005, 10:52 PM

Why do you tourcher us with this??!?!!?....WHY?

Nice bass btw and great review.

Machines · 05-08-2005, 03:35 AM

I have one of these too - superb bass and amazing value.

Here's mine...

good rats · 05-08-2005, 04:00 AM

Great review. I love the look of that bass so goddamn much. SHame they don't seel outside of the UK.

Radiobass81 · 05-08-2005, 09:38 AM

Nice review.

owlandtree · 05-08-2005, 09:40 AM

Nice little fretless. Good review....well said.

fallen_angel2121 · 05-09-2005, 11:22 AM

Very time I see it I want it. Then I remember that if I keep spending my wages on bass then I'll never, ever learn to drive.

Its a tricky choice.

Fallen Angel

lobsterjohnson · 05-24-2005, 05:27 PM

did you play the fretted version
and if so how was it

Killer Fridge · 05-24-2005, 05:55 PM

ive played the fretted version, and i have to say it is VERY nice indeed, especially for its price, a worthy purchase i must say

although, in andertons i did find one of the musicman stlye vintages and the frets were all sticking out the edges, cut my finger to pieces playing it, nasty stuff

Wintermute · 05-24-2005, 06:17 PM

Mmmm, the lower ranges of Vintage do vary in quality. A friend of mine has a Jazz replica which fell apart quite quickly, but I have a Stingray which is still going strong years later. No problems with the frets on it.

Killer Fridge · 05-25-2005, 06:16 AM

well im sure there are no problems with the frets on the reviewed one

Wintermute · 05-25-2005, 06:43 AM

Actually no, because they're missing completely! Lazy Vintage...

neal_672 · 05-25-2005, 01:48 PM

Anybody know any UK websites where you can buy these? Reputable ones preferably, because the only shop near me that used to stock them has recently closed...

Killer Fridge · 05-25-2005, 02:18 PM

http://www.andertonsonline.co.uk

i think they stock them (actually im pretty certain they do, theres only one shop and i was in it yesturday)

in fact, heres a direct link to the vintage section
http://www.andertonsonline.co.uk/acatalog/Vintage_Bass_Guit.html

Esp Griffyn · 05-25-2005, 02:39 PM

Yeah, my bro has one of these basses, and therfore I own this bass too. Its very nice.

/was first to own one

Mine seems to be a lot more orangy than all these ones.

neal_672 · 05-25-2005, 02:48 PM

Thank you very much for the links

Machines · 05-26-2005, 02:28 AM

And some more V940 pics...

Wintermute · 05-26-2005, 02:51 AM

Mmm... god they're good looking instruments. Yours has a darker grain of Bubinga than mine, from the look of it.

Random.bass.player. · 06-23-2005, 03:20 PM

Im sure i've seen a fretted version of this , then again , i may be wrong , I normally am.

Killer Fridge · 06-23-2005, 03:29 PM

yeah you probably have, they arent uncommon

05-07-2005, 10:50 PM	#1
Wintermute There Can Be Only One Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lancaster, UK - Coldest place in the Universe Posts: 13,885	Vintage - V940FL (Fretless) [url=http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintagebass.html]Manufacturer's Website[/url] MSRP = £250 I paid = £220 Note - Not available outside the UK, to my knowledge. Playing experience - Nearly three years. Tried several other fretlesses before buying this one. Four string, 34" scale, Bubinga body, black hardware, maple neck, unlined fretless rosewood fingerboard. Two octave range (what would be 24 fret, if it had frets). Active 'Wilkinson'-brand active electronics in a P/J configuration. Controls are Volume, Treble, Bass and Pickup Balance. Bolt on neck. This is a very nice bass. The Bubinga body means it is fairly heavy - it's actually a little heavier than my six string. But you soon adjust to it, and if it's really a problem, a wide padded strap should more than solve it. Everything about this bass screams "Smooth". When I pick it up, it's all I can do not to rub my face on it. The natural Bubinga finish and the un-varnished neck give it a very natural, fast feel. It's well balanced, giving me zero neckdive whether I'm standing or seated. The tone is warm, and punchy. The active EQ offers a fair range of tones, but the bass EQ is certainly more powerful than the treble. The treble does a pretty reasonable job, but if you turn the bass up to full, you can say goodbye to your eardrums. I mean, I know fretlesses are known for being boomy, but wow. All the controls have a central detente to help you find the midpoint. The Precision pickup is a little noisier than I'd like, but every company in the world makes P/J pickups. If I'm feeling bored and rich in the future, I may replace them. It stays in tune very well, which is always critical for a fretless. I check it every time I use it on my Boss GT-6B (review coming up later) and it seldom needs anything but the most minor tweak. This bass also has the added advantage that if you use it, people will stop and stare. It is very, very pretty. It is everything you'd expect from the flagship model of a very respected budget brand. I would't be surprised if in the UK Vintage outsold Squier. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't. They're certainly better quality. And this is the most expensive, and the most luxurious 4-stringer they do. For the price, I find it hard to fault. I prefer this bass to basses worth twice as much. You will not find a better fretless for the price. 4.5/5 Last edited by Wintermute; 12-18-2006 at 04:34 AM.

05-24-2005, 05:27 PM	#8
lobsterjohnson MX Ashdown Club Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Eastern PA Posts: 998	did you play the fretted version and if so how was it
	Digging: Torche - Meanderthal

05-25-2005, 02:18 PM	#14
Killer Fridge Mx Pirate Cook Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,249	http://www.andertonsonline.co.uk i think they stock them (actually im pretty certain they do, theres only one shop and i was in it yesturday) in fact, heres a direct link to the vintage section http://www.andertonsonline.co.uk/acatalog/Vintage_Bass_Guit.html Last edited by Killer Fridge; 05-25-2005 at 02:20 PM.

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05-07-2005, 10:52 PM	#2
WhoDidTheElf ^can't tune to C# right.. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CA, USA Posts: 3,368	Why do you tourcher us with this??!?!!?....WHY? Nice bass btw and great review.

05-08-2005, 03:35 AM	#3
Machines MX Ashdown Club Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 3,086	I have one of these too - superb bass and amazing value. Here's mine...

05-08-2005, 04:00 AM	#4
good rats fgsdfg Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,564	Great review. I love the look of that bass so goddamn much. SHame they don't seel outside of the UK.

05-08-2005, 09:38 AM	#5
Radiobass81 El Cartero de Neruda Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 19,425	Nice review.

05-08-2005, 09:40 AM	#6
owlandtree Captain Jondlechit Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan. Posts: 1,393	Nice little fretless. Good review....well said.

05-09-2005, 11:22 AM	#7
fallen_angel2121 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 254	Very time I see it I want it. Then I remember that if I keep spending my wages on bass then I'll never, ever learn to drive. Its a tricky choice. Fallen Angel

05-24-2005, 05:55 PM	#9
Killer Fridge Mx Pirate Cook Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,249	ive played the fretted version, and i have to say it is VERY nice indeed, especially for its price, a worthy purchase i must say although, in andertons i did find one of the musicman stlye vintages and the frets were all sticking out the edges, cut my finger to pieces playing it, nasty stuff

05-24-2005, 06:17 PM	#10
Wintermute There Can Be Only One Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lancaster, UK - Coldest place in the Universe Posts: 13,885	Mmmm, the lower ranges of Vintage do vary in quality. A friend of mine has a Jazz replica which fell apart quite quickly, but I have a Stingray which is still going strong years later. No problems with the frets on it.

05-25-2005, 06:16 AM	#11
Killer Fridge Mx Pirate Cook Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,249	well im sure there are no problems with the frets on the reviewed one

05-25-2005, 06:43 AM	#12
Wintermute There Can Be Only One Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lancaster, UK - Coldest place in the Universe Posts: 13,885	Actually no, because they're missing completely! Lazy Vintage...

05-25-2005, 01:48 PM	#13
neal_672 Mx Bob Dylan Obsessive Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North East England Posts: 8,656	Anybody know any UK websites where you can buy these? Reputable ones preferably, because the only shop near me that used to stock them has recently closed...

05-25-2005, 02:39 PM	#15
Esp Griffyn Time is the Enemy Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Indra Bridge Posts: 24,223	Yeah, my bro has one of these basses, and therfore I own this bass too. Its very nice. /was first to own one Mine seems to be a lot more orangy than all these ones.

05-25-2005, 02:48 PM	#16
neal_672 Mx Bob Dylan Obsessive Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North East England Posts: 8,656	Thank you very much for the links

05-26-2005, 02:28 AM	#17
Machines MX Ashdown Club Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 3,086	And some more V940 pics...

05-26-2005, 02:51 AM	#18
Wintermute There Can Be Only One Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lancaster, UK - Coldest place in the Universe Posts: 13,885	Mmm... god they're good looking instruments. Yours has a darker grain of Bubinga than mine, from the look of it.

06-23-2005, 03:20 PM	#19
Random.bass.player. Boots to Faces OI OI OI Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Blackburn , Lancashire Posts: 231	Im sure i've seen a fretted version of this , then again , i may be wrong , I normally am.

06-23-2005, 03:29 PM	#20
Killer Fridge Mx Pirate Cook Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,249	yeah you probably have, they arent uncommon