Fretless memories from days gone by?

[CFIrwin]

My avatar is a late 60s production fretless made by Hohner/Bartell.
It's dead gorgeous but doesn't sound like a modern Jazz fretless bass.

I had one of these for many years...it played like a boat oar with strings. Like it was made by out of work cabinet makers who had only seen pictures of basses, but never played one. Took me $500 of set up and mods to make it play decently. Went to chance the bottom strap button out and it was held in by a 3" screw.

It has a really cool unique sound and look though...hope to buy it back eventually.

 

[Chickenwheels]

 

[BassyBill]

I love fretless P basses.

But I’ve always wanted to try one of Ashley Pangborn’s fretless basses with the aluminium fingerboard.

 

[BassyBill]

Who made the fretless basses with the metal “slap plates” inlaid into the top end of the fingerboard?

 

[cxcxcx]

Who made the fretless basses with the metal “slap plates” inlaid into the top end of the fingerboard?

I’ve seen various attempts at this over the years - Alembic is the biggest player I’ve seen with this feature, and there are several builders who have done it. This never became a common production offering thing.

David King comes to mind as the builder that did do at least a few:

 

[Chickenwheels]

Who made the fretless basses with the metal “slap plates” inlaid into the top end of the fingerboard?

I’ve seen a Wal with it.

 

[Chickenwheels]

This is still the high water mark in modern bass playing for tone and, well, everything. This bass still gets played plenty today from what I’ve seen. Tone has changed a tad (less 80s zing).

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

This was one of my favorite fretless basses from the late ‘60s/early ‘70s … not the actual bass I owned at the time, this one is a current eBay item for waayyy toooo much money (no affiliation). It was a great bass ….
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THIS!!!!

 

[BassyBill]

This is still the high water mark in modern bass playing for tone and, well, everything. This bass still gets played plenty today from what I’ve seen. Tone has changed a tad (less 80s zing). View attachment 5126644

I remember him having a Status Graphite neck on that bass at one point, sometime around his Paul Young era. It was a great sounding bass, anyway you take it.

 

[BassyBill]

I remember him having a Status Graphite neck on that bass at one point, sometime around his Paul Young era. That would have been a very interesting upgrade. But it was a great sounding bass, anyway you take it.

 

[Jakeman]

 

[arbiterusa]

I have a 1981 Steinberger L2 unlined fretless that is still the best sounding bass I have ever heard. My old late 70s precision was more than decent but couldn’t hold a candle to the L2, which I why I don’t have it anymore.

 

[coy garcia]

These are my only players...mostly from days gone by even though 2 are converted and 1 is new.

 

[JRA]

What fretless basses from decades gone by do you feel could still stand up well today?

i think my experience is skewed and limited. i've played a lot nice branded axes but i've mostly owned FSOs (lots of fenders, G&Ls) and a few customs (as FSOs).

so, i'd have to say any of the 'leo brand' axes: get an old FSO with a great neck = all good! my newest axes (the last 4 years) are tributes to those old FSOs. but way more fun, of course!

 

[Pauly 4001]

'67? Bartell (pre Hohner/no branding/serial #) Favorite fretless that I have ever, and still own. Bonus... the leather back pad makes it smell like an old Chevy.

I can't say I believe my back padding is leather but it does remind me of the interior of a Chevy Vega.

 

[etoncrow]

Azola Bug Bass II was made by Steve Azola. Unfortunately a divorce ended the business. I still have mine. Love it.

 

[Stewie]

It's a crying shame Leo never made the one on the left

 

[Giffro]

My mid 70's Maton JB4 Fretless Pro

 

[Chickenwheels]

My mid 70's Maton JB4 Fretless Pro

View attachment 5127680
View attachment 5127682

These are beautiful basses

 

[Giffro]

These are beautiful basses

She sure is...saw her in Regent Music Adelaide in the mid 70's ('76 i think) and walked out with her straight away...cant remember what I went in there for loll