Fretless monster

[LeChuck3]

I wanted a Fender Tony Franklin fretless for a while but could not spend $3,100 CAD (with taxes) on a new bass.

So I made a Tony Franken . Squier Affinity PJ body, Allparts Precision Bass neck with unlined ebony fingerboard and DiMarzio DP126 (Model P + Model J) pickups. I should receive them next week.

I installed a Wilkinson bridge with threaded saddles that I had and kept the Squier tuners and pots for now.

And DR Sunbeams strings, of course!

Total: $1,100 CAD

Can’t wait to plug this thing!

 

[Lo-E]

Nicely done!

Allparts necks are really excellent. That’s going to be a really nice ride.

 

[DownRound]

I've been considering doing this very thing, except with a Mighty Mite neck.
Just wondering how it worked out for you, if you're happy with the combination, and if the tone comes close.
Thanks.

Tony Franken...it took a while but then the dim little bulb lit up in my head.

 

[poochiecheeks]

Thats how to do it- very nice
Those allparts necks are great

 

[relayer66]

Nice! I was planning for the last year to do a TF style parts bass…but finally just bought a TF bass. And now I want to change some of the parts on it…ugh. For starters I can’t stand the D-Tuner.

 

[JRA]

Allparts necks are really excellent.

Those allparts necks are great

agreed: top notch!

I've been considering doing this very thing, except with a Mighty Mite neck.

another great neck choice: ebonol = mwah for days! good luck with your fretless!

 

[JRA]

@LeChuck3, curious: did you get your parts and finish the assembly? pics? how does it play? TIA

 

[toddsterbassist]

I've been considering doing this very thing, except with a Mighty Mite neck.
Just wondering how it worked out for you, if you're happy with the combination, and if the tone comes close.
Thanks.

Tony Franken...it took a while but then the dim little bulb lit up in my head.

I tried the mighty mite fretless neck…first one had a bow I could not get out. The neck was only straight with the truss rod maxed and no strings installed. Got it replaced but the replacement mighty mite neck was only marginally better, even after doing a bunch of tweaks. Looks good, doesn’t play like it looks. Not sure if I just have bad luck or if these things are not good.

 

[relayer66]

What pickups are you going to drop into that?

 

[darwin-bass]

I really wanted a TF but realized I'd want to make some mods if I ever got one

• Drop the d-tuner
• Swap to light weight tuners
• Change the neck to J width
• Replace P pickup with MM
• Add and East preamp
• Swap to a top load bridge

So really I guess I didn't want a TF after all. I solved this by building a parts bass

• 32" scale
• 2x2 headstock with super light tuners
• 1.5" neck, wenge / ebony blank plank
• MM pickup
• East preamp
• Top load bridge

I still think the TF looks super cool (as does the OP bass!!!)

 

[LeChuck3]

@LeChuck3, curious: did you get your parts and finish the assembly? pics? how does it play? TIA[/QUOTE]

It turned out extremely well! Plays great and sounds great. I put liquid paper dots on the side of the neck for the first, 11th and 13th « frets », I find it helps with intonation.

 

[LeChuck3]

What pickups are you going to drop into that?

EMG Geezer Butler at the neck and DiMarzio Model J at the bridge!

 

[LeChuck3]

I tried the mighty mite fretless neck…first one had a bow I could not get out. The neck was only straight with the truss rod maxed and no strings installed. Got it replaced but the replacement mighty mite neck was only marginally better, even after doing a bunch of tweaks. Looks good, doesn’t play like it looks. Not sure if I just have bad luck or if these things are not good.

I had a similar experience with a Mighty Mite fretless Jazz neck that I put on a Squier VM. The truss rod was maxed out and it kept bowing even with extra light strings. I sold the bass for cheap and built my PJ. The AllParts neck is great, though, but they don’t sell fretless P necks right now. I might have bought one of the last.

 

[LeChuck3]

I've been considering doing this very thing, except with a Mighty Mite neck.
Just wondering how it worked out for you, if you're happy with the combination, and if the tone comes close.
Thanks.

Tony Franken...it took a while but then the dim little bulb lit up in my head.

The tone is very close, especially when playing with a pick and digging in!

 

[DownRound]

Sounds great!
Thanks for posting!

 

[relayer66]

I really wanted a TF but realized I'd want to make some mods if I ever got one

• Drop the d-tuner
• Swap to light weight tuners
• Change the neck to J width
• Replace P pickup with MM
• Add and East preamp
• Swap to a top load bridge

So really I guess I didn't want a TF after all. I solved this by building a parts bass

• 32" scale
• 2x2 headstock with super light tuners
• 1.5" neck, wenge / ebony blank plank
• MM pickup
• East preamp
• Top load bridge

I still think the TF looks super cool (as does the OP bass!!!)

I just modded my TF with Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners, a Badass II bridge, and Schaller straplocks (the old ones…I do not like the new ones). I put NXYL strings on it. The neck is much thinner than I expected, not much wider than a JB. It’s as good as I hoped, and I can see this becoming my #1. Best of luck on all the fretless parts basses, I bet there will be some great ones here!