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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
#41
Absolutely. That way I can have one for each tuning I use, so I don't have to readjust from gig to gig. Or maybe just one to keep stock...or, maybe I really should get two... I think the white body from one of the fretted ones combined with a fretless neck from one of the other ones...No, then I would really need four...

:rollno:



Welcome to my constant thought process.
 
#43
I have a Tony Franklin and I agree, there is something special about them. The feel and sound really is superior to other fretless precisions. (I own a '76 with a maple board and had an '83 with a rosewood board.)
The neck feel, ebony board and the pickups on the Tony Franklin just seem to be a perfect combination.

I was lucky enough to get one used though. $1500 is a lot for a fender.
 
#44
It seems to me getting a replacement neck from Allparts or Mighty Mite (or even Warmoth, though that would probably cost almost as much as the bass itself!) is a less extreme idea than de-fretting a pre-existing neck. I'd go with an Allparts ebony neck...I actually got one of those ebonol Mighty Mites, and the fit doesn't seem right (it's a bit wide for the pocket).
 
#46
I just came back from the store.

I went with the intention (and the money in the pocket) to buy the Tony Franklin.

But...
It was sold. :(
It had been a good week since I last visited the store.
Appearantly someone else also really wanted the TF. The bastard. :ninja: :D

So I had to order it.
But the black one had a waiting time from 3 to 6 months. :(
The sunburst can be there next week.
I ordered that one.
I actually prefer the sunburst over the black body, but I don't like the tort P/G.
Perhaps I'll learn to love it... or replace it.

Now, the waiting torture is on. :hmm:

Appearantly the bassist who swiped the TF also took the amp I was after.
So there is another bassist out there just like me. We're doomed. :scowl: :)
I did also ordered some effect pedals, new pickup for my Squier and a BadassII bridge.

Ah.. the GAS. :help:


Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I figured I can have a cheaper precision bass defretted or with a replacement neck anytime.
(Or a Valenti :))

Oh, and btw: the rumors about the Tony Franklin being discontinued are not true according to the store owner.
 
#47
Damn' well least you'll have it soon enough, though I know the torture of waiting.

A pickguard is an easy swap, hardest part is finding one that looks good on Sunburst, I wonder is it routed so you can play without one at all, Thunkinfunder should know! :D
 
#48
C'thulhu said:
I think epoxy is a wise choice.
But I don't know anything about how to defret a bass, I'll let the store owner do it. He is more capable and he knows it better than me.
Click to expand...

Just remember one thing, you will not inherit the same sound characteristics with an epoxied board, I know, I recently had my fretless epoxied. With just the wood, it tends to absorb any string buzz whatsoever. With epoxy, It does not absorb vibration the same as "bare wood" and shows you some sounds that were not there before. Epoxy will give you a way different sound than the Franklin, so IMO, go with the franklin if that's what you fancy.
 
#50
The TF is not one that you could play without the pickguard.

Maybe a mirrored guard? Or is that the 80's rocker in me?

Keep in mind that if you do change the pickguard out, that 3 way selector slot will have to be carved yourself. As will the truss adjustment scallop-thingy.

If you don't want to do it yourself, you have to take the pickguard off, and send it to someone to make one to match. That means somewhat of a wait without one.

I used a Dremel tool. Take your time, and no one will know the difference.

Let us know when the bass comes in and how you like it!
 
#51
Thunkinfunder said:
The TF is not one that you could play without the pickguard.

Maybe a mirrored guard? Or is that the 80's rocker in me?

Keep in mind that if you do change the pickguard out, that 3 way selector slot will have to be carved yourself. As will the truss adjustment scallop-thingy.

If you don't want to do it yourself, you have to take the pickguard off, and send it to someone to make one to match. That means somewhat of a wait without one.

I used a Dremel tool. Take your time, and no one will know the difference.

Let us know when the bass comes in and how you like it!
Click to expand...

I'm first going to see if I'll learn to like the tort P/G.
I'm not gigging with electric bass at the moment, so looks aren't that important.


And yeah, I'll let you guys know how that thing play... on my own gear instead of at the store.
I do need a more decent amp though. :atoz:

I'm so exited. :hyper:
My experience from playing it at the store (2 times about half an hour) + plus all the positive feedback from TF owners = .... :bassist:

Don't know what I'm going to do with my Yamahas yet.
 
#53
Darkstrike said:
I'd at least keep the one that served you well for years, but then I would hate to sell any gear, I'd miss it lie hell, even if I dont play it while I own it.
Click to expand...

I'm going to give it a year. If I haven't picked up my old bass in that time, it's going out.

Btw, today in my local music store: used Yamaha John Myung signature RBX 6-string, near mint condition for 575 €.

Although I never played a 6 and 4 are enough for me, that thing catched my eye.

Would that be a good deal?

Must... not... buy... that... one.

Welll, luckily I don't desire 6 strings and frets.
 
#55
C'thulhu said:
Btw, today in my local music store: used Yamaha John Myung signature RBX 6-string, near mint condition for 575 €.

Although I never played a 6 and 4 are enough for me, that thing catched my eye.

Would that be a good deal?

Must... not... buy... that... one.

Welll, luckily I don't desire 6 strings and frets.
Click to expand...

..........
























That was the sound of Darkstrike having a minor heart attack.
 
#57
C'thulhu said:
I'm going to give it a year. If I haven't picked up my old bass in that time, it's going out.
Click to expand...

I suppoe that makes sense, but I'll always pick up even the ones I don't play much up every couple of months. I always find what I liked about them that made me buy 'em in the first place, and play 'em for so long, until I pick another one up, goes in cycles. More of my problems, lol at de-railing!:atoz:
 
#59
C'thulhu said:
Inducing GAS on you is easier than adding two single-digit numbers up my friend. :p ;)
Click to expand...

See...

Darkstrike said:
..........
























That was the sound of Darkstrike having a minor heart attack.
Click to expand...

LOL. :D

I thought you might like that one.

Too bad I don't have any pictures to torture you with. (The store doesn't have it on their website, just in the list with the price.)


Well, are you looking up how much it's going to cost to ship a bass to Ireland, and wonder if I'm a guy of good nature?

;)
 

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