Fretless P bass fans - let's see pics / read your comments / hear clips

**bassybill** · #1 11-10-2012, 09:17 AM

I've realised for quite a while now that I'm mostly a Jazz bass rather than a P bass sort of player (I currently have 2 fretted Js, one fretless J and one fretted P). But I currently have a bit of a hankering for a fretless Precision. Not sure why - might be something to do with listening to some early Brand X when Percy Jones was playing one, before he switched to Wal. The tones he got were very distinctive and just as interesting musically as anything he got after the switch (although different in character, of course). No offence intended to Wal fans as I love those basses myself.

Here's Percy on the P - nice solo in this one at about 2:51.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_p1sfrLEQs

So, let's hear from you guys about yours.

RandyMolson · #2 11-10-2012, 11:20 AM

1972 P w/ 1977 FL neck

1973 FL P w/ fretlines added

1974 P w/ 1983 FL Jazz neck by Kubicki

As and added bonus, fretless P basses in form: 1989 FL P A/E (including piezos)

Marial · #3 11-10-2012, 11:37 AM

Holy crap, those semis are freaking gorgeous!

Paul M · #4 11-10-2012, 12:18 PM

An old picture of my heavily modified 1973 P-Bass. It now has a 1960's style bridge with original chrome cover. It can produce the popular "Jaco" tone but more often I use the solo neck pickup for that deep rich cello-like tone.

PWRL · #5 11-11-2012, 10:22 PM

I know I love mine. It's a great instrument. Listening to David J's playing on old Bauhaus records was one of the things that convinced me to play the bass in the first place, so when I finally found one up for sale, it was kind of a no-brainer.

Bergerman · #6 11-16-2012, 12:33 AM

Love mine...plays like the proverbial butter.

1998 MIM CAR body with 80's Fender Elite USA Walnut neck and ebony fingerboard...Bartolini 8S pickup. Still the only fretless I have ever liked with flats on it!

Figjam · #7 01-11-2013, 11:21 AM

Digging up this thread to say a few things

that brand x song you posted is great, I have never given them much thought and I think I totally dig it. Mostly because that bass tone is spot on with what I like in a fretless. Its also just a great form of fusion. The song Algon is great as well. Looks like I'll be listening to this today.

also that walnut precision neck is gorgeous.

Syco_bass · #8 01-11-2013, 11:31 AM

Here's a little (big actually) P bass. I don't know if it counts, but it is a "P" bass. Sort of, and it is fretless. Sounds killer I think.

Here's a sound clip.

https://soundcloud.com/syco_bass/eub-sound-clip

RobC
Arizona Bass Company

Basshappi · #9 01-11-2013, 12:09 PM

Squire P-Bass Special converted to fretless:

I'll be building another one that will have a unlined maple board.

**garmenteros** · #10 01-11-2013, 12:30 PM

Don't have the soundclips ready yet, but here's a shot of my fretless p...

**Engine207** · #11 01-11-2013, 08:25 PM

Here's mine.

It's currently wearing a Squier Precision Special body with a P/J setup. I've also used a different Squier (sunburst) body, and a MIM P-Bass. It wears a Warmoth maple neck that was epoxied by Lewis Bass and Guitar and has Seymour Duncan SPB-1 and SJB-1 pickups wired VBT, and a Babicz FCH bridge. I have it strung with .045-.100 D'Addario Half-Rounds.

About the P/J setup, I love the sound of a P-Bass, but I really wanted more versatility for the fretless. I heard a Fender Tony Franklin sig bass, and I knew the addition of a jazz pickup was the sound I was looking for.
Photos...

Phalex · #12 01-11-2013, 08:32 PM

Damn you Bill!!

I am IMMUNE to G.A.S.!!! Oh...... You suck!

I've been playing with this very idea myself, but now you have me looking at bassporn!

Zoomie · #13 01-12-2013, 06:44 AM

Ran acroess this thread and thought I would share. This is a beaut. It is owned by a long time family friend. 1975 Fender P Bass fretless. It has had many changes and upgrades, including the neck. Interestingly, the orginal neck hangs above the front door of his home after dying a very warped death. I'll try and post a pic of it as well.

This pickguard is to die for ! It is an orginal Mighty Mite PG circa late seventies or early eighties.

I must have this PG. Guess that I will just have to make an obscene offer on it !

Here is the original neck hanging over the front door of his home. Breaks my heart every single time I see it !

thebeerleader · #14 01-12-2013, 07:45 AM

I don't currently have a P-bass, but thanks to the original poster for pointing me to Brand-X. I liked them instantly.

bluesdogblues · #15 02-27-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

...hankering for a fretless Precision. Not sure why - ...

Same as me

So I'll revisit this thread sometime.

Oh and I don't have any fretless Precision Bass. Only the fretted.
And I always stunned to see Sting's Fretless Precision maple neck (Natural/Blond one and Red One) basses in youtube/else.

The Natural

The Red
same red

sorry if they not the best example vids of Sting Fretless P-basses. Just fast search.

ZSavage · #16 02-27-2013, 02:44 PM

Made in 1974 and played through that all tube amp and neo cab is a wonderful thing!

3234718 · #17 02-27-2013, 04:02 PM

RBX260F

TWISTEDSTRINGS · #18 02-27-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomie

Ran acroess this thread and thought I would share. This is a beaut. It is owned by a long time family friend. 1975 Fender P Bass fretless. It has had many changes and upgrades, including the neck. Interestingly, the orginal neck hangs above the front door of his home after dying a very warped death. I'll try and post a pic of it as well.

This pickguard is to die for ! It is an orginal Mighty Mite PG circa late seventies or early eighties.

I must have this PG. Guess that I will just have to make an obscene offer on it !

Here is the original neck hanging over the front door of his home. Breaks my heart every single time I see it !

LOVE THE PG. Why don`t they still make them now, awesome ??

chuck3 · #19 02-27-2013, 04:53 PM

wow - some really beautiful basses on this thread. My fretless P is a 1978. It's Olympic White but it has mellowed in color. Here are some pics:

Shakin-Slim · #20 02-27-2013, 04:54 PM

I wonder what it is about the fretless P that is so enticing. Sure, the tone is great, but just the way they look is killer. Maybe cause they look like the cooler brother to the more popular fretless J? I have a '76 Ibanez P bass. It came stock fretless, just like the one on the left: http://www.ibanezwiki.com/download/a.../132568/26.jpg. I put a fretted rosewood neck on, though. Thankfully I still have the original maple neck, cause this thread is giving me GAS!