@Nightman i was reading up this morning on sort of the "history" of fretless and the article menchoned that when Jaco pulled his frets, he coated the neck in epoxy which gave it a certain tone especially in the higher register. I don't recall seeing any of his basses look to have a coated neck but it's certainly worth the menchon. I also read up that playing with the nail part of the finger gives more of a fretted sound than playing with the pad of the finger, however not only am I a newbie to fretless I'm a nail biter so it wouldn't matter to me anyways! The swap is really straightforward if you are familiar with doing setups, but if you are unfamiliar with adjusting a truss rod or a saddle it sounds daunting. It's much simpler than it sounds!
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It's all very interesting! I'm familiar with doing setups, and I suspect having the option of a fretless and a fretted neck could be a good thing, but I'd be a little lazy swapping those necks when I'm needing the other type bass. However, as far as I know, you and I have more than one CP Thornton bass making getting over that hurdle quite easy!!
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I am blessed to say that I have two of chucks basses! My other is a five string.
Amen to that!!!
My basses are all 5'ers. I've tried to adjust to a 6-string, but it was a bit of a hurdle for me. The neck is too wide and I forget there are 6 strings! The 4-string necks just feel a little strange/small in my hands, which is weird because I also play 6-strings guitars. I suspect my playing approach to each is so different making the adjustment less confusing.
But for bass, a lot of the song keys I play in I really need the bottom B string to keep that low end vibe happening.
Your fretted 5'er with your fretless 4-string are a good combination!
My basses are all 5'ers. I've tried to adjust to a 6-string, but it was a bit of a hurdle for me. The neck is too wide and I forget there are 6 strings! The 4-string necks just feel a little strange/small in my hands, which is weird because I also play 6-strings guitars. I suspect my playing approach to each is so different making the adjustment less confusing.
But for bass, a lot of the song keys I play in I really need the bottom B string to keep that low end vibe happening.
Your fretted 5'er with your fretless 4-string are a good combination!
Hey, elite CP Thornton bass(es) owners, and particularly owners of the newer TR line! Check this out!!
Bass of the Week: CP Thornton B-034 Bass
Bass of the Week: CP Thornton B-034 Bass
I considered buying that bass, but opted for the tiger ash instead!
@Samuel Newsom, that bass is gorgeous, but your tiger ash is very stunning. 
I think I like yours better, but then both a very nice looking basses.
Actually, they all are very beautiful basses!!!
I think I like yours better, but then both a very nice looking basses. Actually, they all are very beautiful basses!!!
Hello Chuck fans. I'm enjoying the dialogue and pics.
Met with Chuck recently and totally agree with all the compliments he gets here. Heckuva nice guy in addition to being a superb craftsman.
He's building a P/J for me, passive with Nordy pups I selected, custom color and hardware. Haven't seen any other PJs he's built so maybe this is first one.
Expect pictures maybe Septober or thereabouts.
Ken
Met with Chuck recently and totally agree with all the compliments he gets here. Heckuva nice guy in addition to being a superb craftsman.
He's building a P/J for me, passive with Nordy pups I selected, custom color and hardware. Haven't seen any other PJs he's built so maybe this is first one.
Expect pictures maybe Septober or thereabouts.
Ken
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Welcome @Ken Lloyd! I'm looking forward to seeing your P/J CP Thornton!! Which body style did you select?
Thank you nightman.
I believe the body is called TR. The one with thumb rest carved into the body. A feature that's unexpectedly useful and also elegant in design.
I believe the body is called TR. The one with thumb rest carved into the body. A feature that's unexpectedly useful and also elegant in design.
Oh yes!!! You are going to love that TR!!! It's an amazing body style and the functional thumbrest is very elegant!
4 strings or 5?
It's 4. I love 5ers also. Have two exceptional Lakie 5ers. And I move between 4and 5 often. but I don't have a four banger that totally does it for me, so that's my priority with my bass from Chuck.
Well, I think you found the right builder to build a great bass that's going to totally do it for you!
Sounds like your are playing 19mm (Lakland). Is your TR going to be 19mm, too?
Sounds like your are playing 19mm (Lakland). Is your TR going to be 19mm, too?
You learn something every day!!!!
Yesterday, I learned several things that stemmed from learning that Brian Bromberg is a Talkbass member, and has been for a long time!
If you don't know who he is take a look a this link:
Brian Bromberg
Yesterday, I learned several things that stemmed from learning that Brian Bromberg is a Talkbass member, and has been for a long time!
If you don't know who he is take a look a this link:
Brian Bromberg
Oh yeah. Long time B Bromberg fan here.
His version of Dolphin Dance is beyond stellar. And I think he's playing a 300 year old bass.
His version of Dolphin Dance is beyond stellar. And I think he's playing a 300 year old bass.
I played my TR-5 in service Sunday and I know I've said this more times than not, but this TR-5 is the best playing bass!!
