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fretless precision - Tony Franklin or defretting MIM?

Wich one?

  • Tony Franklin fretless - 1700 €

    Votes: 38 55.9%

  • defretted MIM standard Precision - 700 €

    Votes: 18 26.5%

  • other suggestion... (this also is the carrots vote)

    Votes: 12 17.6%
  • Total voters
    68
#21
Two things you said:

1. The Tony Franklin amazes you.
2. You'll probably keep a fretless Precision for the rest of your bass playing days.

That tells me the Tony Franklin is worth the money, and you'll enjoy it for a long, long time.

Bob




C'thulhu said:
I have my heart set on a fretless precision bass.
Ever since I tried the Tony Franklin signature fretless a few weeks ago.
It truly amazed me. Amazing tone.

But the price is bothering me a little bit.
I have no problem affording it, but that doesn't mean I have to be reckless with my expenses. 1700 € :hmm:
On the other hand I find this an amazing instrument that suits me.

An idea that also popped into my head is having a precision bass defretted.
My local music store has a MIM standard that I always liked (as fretted). I use it each time to try an effect pedal or amp out.
I wonder how that bass will be like defretted. The MIM costs 575 € and defretting costs 125 €. (so: 700 €)
Good idea or a "steer clear"?

Some pros and cons I myself figured myself.

Tony Franklin
pros: - ebony unlined fingerboard
- I already played it and I think it's awesome.
- It's good enough for Tony Franklin. :) (and I'd be proud to have his signature instrument)
- detuner, but I can install one on the MIM also

cons: - I don't like the colors (but I'd probably get the black one, is even the one in the store.)
- I have no need for the jazz pickup (but offcours I can learn to love it.)
- price off course

MIM standard
pros: - price
- I like it as a fretted bass for the money
- color, I love the Artic White at the store (and I will place a black PG)

cons: - defretted rosewood fingerboard, :hmm: has that good results?
- quality? how about these MIMs? I had some bad experience with the electronics on a MIM Jazz.
- this purchase isnt a fluke, I really want a fretless precision as my main bass that I'll probably keep til the end of my bass playing days. I might regret not getting the TF.


So 1700 € for the Tony Franklin or 700 € for a defretted MIM.

That's a big price difference.
With the difference I can also buy and Ashdown MAG 4x10 combo (I actually like that amp) and a couple of effects (POD X3 perhaps, or Sansamp and a couple of delay pedals).
I will get these things anyway, no matter what bass I decide on.

I know in the end I am the one who has to make the decision and how much money I will spend.
I just want to hear your ideas and experience.
Especially with defretted (precision) basses, defretted rosewood.

Oh, and strings, pickups and bridge will be changed anyway on either bass I end up with. (Roundwound strings.)
Click to expand...
 
#25
RColie said:
Two things you said:

1. The Tony Franklin amazes you.
2. You'll probably keep a fretless Precision for the rest of your bass playing days.

That tells me the Tony Franklin is worth the money, and you'll enjoy it for a long, long time.

Bob
Click to expand...

That is still the biggest consideration.
I know, like most threadstarters, I answer my own question in a way.

But I like to know what other options I might consider.
There is a lot of experience here that can guide me in my decision.

Good thing the purchase is not urgent.
(I'm not in a band with electric bass. DBing in a amateur jazz band.)

Darkstrike said:
I'd just go with the Franklin then, mabye stripping it to natrual(oil rubbed mabye?) finish later, if you really don't like the black, I know you like natural wood.
Click to expand...

Well, the Tony Franklin signature I wouldn't mutulize.
I'd be proud to have his namesake bass, I'll take the color as Tony Franklin likes. :)

And there is always room in the future for a natural bass. :)

But color isn't that big of a deal to me.

For example: a week ago I wouldnt care for Lake Placid Blue. But now that I have one I'm really loving it.
 
#27
Well thats all good then, I think the all black one looks killer. :)

Funny thing, I normally don't dig natural wood finishes so much, but here I am, trying to decide if it's worth a two and a half hour round trip, on foot, up hills, after dark, probably raining, to get my hands on one tomorrow :rolleyes:
 
#28
That's cool. I trade out the original pickguard with the one in the picture once in a while. It keeps GAS at bay. Somehow, I trick myself into thinking it is a new one for a while:D

I chose the TF because I wanted an unlined, untreated ebony P/J. The D-tuner just kind of came with the package. I find that I use it a lot more than I thought I would.

I use just the P pup most of the time, but I kick them both on when I need a little extra clarity. I have no problem finding all the tones I need with the configuration. I've actually come to prefer the simplicity of it. I have a golden amber fretted one, too. I added a D-tuner and changed the bridge out on it, also.

...and yes, I use it for jazz, blues, country, acoustic, roots, folk, rock, etc. It works for just about anything you throw it at.
 
#29
Thunkinfunder said:
That's cool. I trade out the original pickguard with the one in the picture once in a while. It keeps GAS at bay. Somehow, I trick myself into thinking it is a new one for a while:D

I chose the TF because I wanted an unlined, untreated ebony P/J. The D-tuner just kind of came with the package. I find that I use it a lot more than I thought I would.

I use just the P pup most of the time, but I kick them both on when I need a little extra clarity. I have no problem finding all the tones I need with the configuration. I've actually come to prefer the simplicity of it. I have a golden amber fretted one, too. I added a D-tuner and changed the bridge out on it, also.

...and yes, I use it for jazz, blues, country, acoustic, roots, folk, rock, etc. It works for just about anything you throw it at.
Click to expand...

Good salestalk. :)

That's why I like it too, the simplicity. And the fact that one of the greats play on this "simple" bass.
I'm all about the P-style pickup, although I prefer brightness and clarity... and due to endorsment I also must say I like βΘИΞКЯŲŜĦÏИĞ® tones. (:rolleyes: don't ask, fun at the effects forum. :D)

I myself never had positive experiences with PJ and JJ configurations. I can get all the clarity I need by playing at the bridge with a P on the neck.
Perhaps I learn to love it on the TF. The great thing is I don't have to use the J.

And my style: I'm going to use it mostly for metal. Tony Franklin meets Cliff Burton... sorta.
From my experience a fretless precision bass gives me a more suited tone for that genre than the fretless jazz I had.

Darkstrike said:
Well thats all good then, I think the all black one looks killer. :)

Funny thing, I normally don't dig natural wood finishes so much, but here I am, trying to decide if it's worth a two and a half hour round trip, on foot, up hills, after dark, probably raining, to get my hands on one tomorrow :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

The sixer. :) You don't have a car? :confused:

Walking is good for you. :p ;)

Hey, for once I am derailing my own thread. :)
 
#30
C'thulhu said:
Good salestalk. :)

That's why I like it too, the simplicity. And the fact that one of the greats play on this "simple" bass.
I'm all about the P-style pickup, although I prefer brightness and clarity... and due to endorsment I also must say I like βΘИΞКЯŲŜĦÏИĞ® tones. (:rolleyes: don't ask, fun at the effects forum. :D)

I myself never had positive experiences with PJ and JJ configurations. I can get all the clarity I need by playing at the bridge with a P on the neck.
Perhaps I learn to love it on the TF. The great thing is I don't have to use the J.

And my style: I'm going to use it mostly for metal. Tony Franklin meets Cliff Burton... sorta.
From my experience a fretless precision bass gives me a more suited tone for that genre than the fretless jazz I had.
Click to expand...
Tony Franklin meets Cliff Burton, this I must hear!
I should keep out of thes thread now, you guys got me droolin' after a Franklin too, not to mention that I love P's with bridge pickups!:D


C'thulhu said:
The sixer. :) You don't have a car? :confused:

Walking is good for you. :p ;)

Hey, for once I am derailing my own thread. :)
Click to expand...

I have a bicycle.:atoz:
 
#31
Usually, I use just the P, but sometimes the J in combination gives it an extra "bite" that is useful for our brand of hard rock. Most of the songs on my site were recorded with a TF-either with frets or without. Check them out to get an idea. Very good for metal, IMHO.

Warning...One of the songs on there is in the VERY raw form with no EQ, compression, etc.

If I were a salesman, maybe I could get a better price on another one. I'm becoming concerned about the price going up like it did on some of the other Fenders.

___This is NOT something I have heard-I don't want to start any rumors!
It is purely my own concern!:help:
 
#32
Darkstrike said:
Tony Franklin meets Cliff Burton, this I must hear!
Click to expand...

That's how I play and sound like if those two sucked at bass playing. :D

Darkstrike said:
I should keep out of thes thread now, you guys got me droolin' after a Franklin too, not to mention that I love P's with bridge pickups!:D
Click to expand...

Inducing GAS on you is easier than adding two single-digit numbers up my friend. :p ;)

Darkstrike said:
I have a bicycle.:atoz:
Click to expand...

Stop buying so many basses and save up for a car. ;)
There is more you can pollute than just silence.
 
#34
Thunkinfunder said:
Usually, I use just the P, but sometimes the J in combination gives it an extra "bite" that is useful for our brand of hard rock. Most of the songs on my site were recorded with a TF-either with frets or without. Check them out to get an idea. Very good for metal, IMHO.

Warning...One of the songs on there is in the VERY raw form with no EQ, compression, etc.

If I were a salesman, maybe I could get a better price on another one. I'm becoming concerned about the price going up like it did on some of the other Fenders.

___This is NOT something I have heard-I don't want to start any rumors!
It is purely my own concern!:help:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check your band and your bass playing out.

I heard that they are going to discontinue the Tony Franklin. :hmm:

So I should make my decision fast.
 
#35
C'thulhu said:
That's how I play and sound like if those two sucked at bass playing. :D
Click to expand...
I'm sure thats not true, well the second part anyway!:)


C'thulhu said:
Inducing GAS on you is easier than adding two single-digit numbers up my friend. :p ;)
Click to expand...
I, Darkstrike, fully endorse this statment.:atoz:

It's also my new signature.:D


C'thulhu said:
Stop buying so many basses and save up for a car. ;)
There is more you can pollute than just silence.
Click to expand...

If I ever have that much cash handy, I'm buying a custom bass.:D
 
#39
Thunkinfunder said:
Discontinue? Looks like I'll have to sell a bodily organ after all! Maybe I can get two for the price of one kidney.:crying:
Click to expand...

Do you want to get a second one?
I understand that, I am like that.
If I were to buy a TF, and liking it very much I'd probably buy a second one as a spare.

Some months ago I bought the exact same Yamaha I owend for years, just to have a spare one.

Darkstrike said:
I don't deny it, I have problems, the biggest one being that I like them!:D
Click to expand...

LOL
 

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