Samick 4-String Fretless Bass

I purchased this bass used in 1994. It has no model number on it, just a Samick logo and serial number, and I've never seen one since. Unknown body wood, but it's the lightest instrument I've ever picked up! The neck is maple with rosewood fretboard, and is incredibly thin and fast. As stated, it is a fretless model, but the fret positions are marked with inlays. It has the P/J pickup arrangement, a 3-way selector switch and standard bridge. All hardware is black except for the chrome bridge.
Although I don't really know the history of this instrument, it has all the features I need. Given the light weight and thin neck, it earns a perfect 10.

I play speed metal, so this bass is a perfect match. I don't care for a punchy, obnoxious bass sound in metal (sorry, I don't worship Steve Harris), so the solid, subtle tone of this Samick is ideal. Playing with the J-pickup on and tone knob set low, I get a nice "hum" that complements the guitars rather than overpowering them, ala Megadeth. With the P-pickup on and running through a BOSS Super Overdrive, I can get that Cliff Burton "For Whom the Bell Tolls" distortion with no problem. And running both pickups through distortion with the tone maxed can produce a great NIN/Ministry industrial guitar sound.
What it's NOT good for is finger picking or fast, funky wizardry. The thin neck and terminally low action mean there's no room to get those fingers going. Slapping is out too. Basically, this instrument is made for playing fast rhythms with a pick, and getting those nice ringing high notes. I play through an ancient Randall RB-60, which isn't the best choice for this type of bass. But I've played on Peavey and Crate amps and gotten a beautiful sound.
I'll give it an 8 for sound. If you want to play grunge or death metal, it doesn't have the rumble for it. But if you want to play fast and not sound like mud in the mix, it's great.

I bought this at a local shop where it was being sold on consignment, so the setup was negligible. The only finish flaw was on the headstock, where there were signs of a crack or chip that had been acceptably repaired but poorly refinished. Other than that, the only problems were one loose tuner and a split pickup that insists on rattling now and then.
The actual feel of this bass is hard to describe. If like a heavy, massive slab of wood, this isn't for you. But if you appreciate a lighter instrument, this is perfect. It plays incredibly fast, and is easy on the shoulder. The action is very low, which suits me fine. And other than the doctored headstock, the condition was (and still is) like new.
I'll dock a single point since the neck isn't very good for anything fancy, but the look and feel are tops.

Because it's not very heavy, I would be concerned about dropping this bass, snapping the neck off or damaging the finish. The tuning keys are plastic, which doesn't seem so good on a bass. The strap buttons and knobs are plenty sturdy, but the jack is horrible -- my cords always slip out, so I have to wrap them around the strap.
It's a reliable enough instrument and currently the only bass I have. I only use it for studio work, not gigging. If I was playing live, I'd use this very cautiously. If you want to run around the stage smacking cymbals or roadies with your axe, get something with a little more "meat" to it. But for recording or no-frills live playing, it should be just fine.

I've been unable to find any info on this model, and Samick's website is geared more towards investors and dealers if you ask me. Dealers are few and far between in my area, but I've had no need for help.

I started playing guitar in 1990, switched to bass in `91 and then went back to guitar in `95. I've played two-ton Martin Stingers on down to entry-level Yamahas. I'm partial to light instruments (I play Jackson Dinky guitars), so when I cover bass duties, my Samick is everything I could hope for. In every guitar shop I've been in, people are surprised when I say I have a Samick fretless, but whether it's really rare or not is beyond me. But it's my baby, more so than any of my guitars.
If you're a first-time player, this is NOT the instrument to learn on; it's great in the right hands, but it's not a toy. It's no Alembic or Pedulla, but it is serious instrument. Any guitar player looking to take up bass will feel right at home with one of these. If you want to pick up a fretless bass for a reasonable price - and if you can find one like this - it's a great piece of equipment. Too bad mine isn't for sale!