Kinal Fretless 5 - sell or trade for fretted

[pdeon99]

Superb playability and quality. Active Bartolini pup. A pro bassist told me this particular bass was the best fretless he had ever played. I have switched to 4-string basses, so I am selling this beautiful bass in near-perfect condition, seldom played in past 3 years. Mike Kinal is a renowned custom builder in Vancouver, and this one cost about $2500 new (and a 5 month wait). Asking $1700 or trade for an equivalent high quality 5-string fretted (or difference in cash). Location near Toronto.

[bongomania]

Pretty! If you don't mind, what's the weight, scale length, nut width, and string spacing at the bridge? And is the battery compartment underneath the ramp? Thanks!

[pdeon99]

Yes, it is a georgeous bass - if it was fretted, I'd be keepin' her.
Weight is 7.5 lbs approx (digital bathroom scale).
Scale length is 34".
String spacing at the nut is 1-1/2"; at the bridge it is 3"; at the end of the fretboard it is 2-5/8".
The battery and electronics are accessed from the back, in a copper shielded cavity under a large (grain matched!) oval panel held in place with 6 machine screws into metal inserts (not wood screws). If you expand the previous image you should see the six screws.
The volume knob is pull-for-passive. Stacked tone controls give you 12 db boost and cut with 0 (center) detent for both treble and bass.
The ramp is an optional attachment. It can be removed, and the finish underneath it is the same as the rest of the body. The neck trussrod adjustment point is under the ramp.

[jzucker]

you have any pix of the actual instrument? Is the pickup hum-cancelling? woods?

[pdeon99]

Those are pictures of the actual instrument taken when new. I have several more regular snapshot type pictures, but I'm struggling to get them under 150Kb for posting. I'll work on that tonight.
The body is Ash; neck is maple; and fretboard is ebony.
Pickup is hum cancelling Bartolini Soapbar into a NTBT-918 internal pre-amp.
The bass was built in June 2004.

[pdeon99]

Here's a picture that I took of the bass, and the electronics compartment.

[pdeon99]

Here's the back of the body, and a closeup of the fretboard.

[pdeon99]

One more shot of the fretboard, and the burl on the the back of the head. Terrific quality throughout.

[jzucker]

you sure about the fingerboard? If it's ebony, it's not gaboon...

[pdeon99]

I can't tell similar-looking exotic woods apart. But just yesterday I confirmed the woods with its builder, Mike Kinal, and he said the fretboard was ebony, so I have to go with that.

[j.weaver]

I think it is Madagascar ebony.

http://www.alliedlutherie.com/ebonyF.htm

[swpyne]

PM sent!

[Groovin]

Somebody grab this!!! My Fretless 5 Kinal is the only bass that will never leave my arsenal.

[DaveAceofBass]

Originally Posted by j.weaver

I think it is Madagascar ebony.

http://www.alliedlutherie.com/ebonyF.htm

Don't know why they call it "Madagascar"...it's really Macassar (Striped) Ebony.

Groovin, I'd love this bass, but I have a gorgeous Linc Luthier fretless and another Kinal on the way....

[Groovin]

Originally Posted by DaveAceofBass

Don't know why they call it "Madagascar"...it's really Macassar (Striped) Ebony.

Groovin, I'd love this bass, but I have a gorgeous Linc Luthier fretless and another Kinal on the way....

What's one more!? :P

[DaveAceofBass]

Originally Posted by Groovin

What's one more!? :P

Too much money for me right now--just bought a sweet new upright last year and my first house a few months ago.

[swpyne]

Another PM sent!

[pdeon99]

Still available - trade deal fell through, but good attempt.

[jdombrow]

I'm confused by your original post. You say you've switched to 4-strings now, but you want to trade your Kinal for a high quality 5-string fretted ???

[pdeon99]

I have switched to 4 strings, but I still would like to have one good fretted fiver in my arsenal.
FYI, my wish list also includes a Jaco model (fretless 4), and a Michael Kelly fretted ABG.