Help with picking a Fretless P Style Bass

[Badwater]

It's understandable that a fender guy would evolve to a MusicMan fretless or G&L fretless. That's what Leo did.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I have never played a Tony Franklin Precision, but it sounds great in all the videos I have heard, and I am sure it is super well put together. I am just leery of unlined fretless, especially for a new player. I was able to buy a Pedulla Pentabuzz for a very low price. It has a fingerboard with lines and position markers. It is by far, the easiest fretless to keep in tune I have ever played.

 

[micguy]

The way I play fretless, it's all about the mwah. Mwah comes alive when using the bridge pickup - I wouldn't ever get a P bass for fretless, as it wouldn't work for me (no bridge pickup). I do have a couple fretted P's - I'm not anti P, I'm just not a fan of fretless P's.

 

[citizenchris099]

The way I play fretless, it's all about the mwah. Mwah comes alive when using the bridge pickup - I wouldn't ever get a P bass for fretless, as it wouldn't work for me (no bridge pickup). I do have a couple fretted P's - I'm not anti P, I'm just not a fan of fretless P's.

Agreed. That's why the Tony Franklin seems so rad. Custom J bridge pickup.

 

[micguy]

Agreed. That's why the Tony Franklin seems so rad. Custom J bridge pickup.

A p with a bridge pickup - yep, that'd work for me.

 

[MD]

I've owned and played two fretless basses. So I know whats up.
Where this purchase will differ is it would potentially be
A) my first Fender Fretless
B) first fretless I string w/Rounds (as apposed to tapes)
C) (if Tony Franklin) first unlined fretless

Then the only thing I'd want to be absolutely sure of, it that the TF has side dots in the correct position.
At that price point, I have no doubt they are, but I'd still want to be sure.

 

[citizenchris099]

Then the only thing I'd want to be absolutely sure of, it that the TF has side dots in the correct position.
At that price point, I have no doubt they are, but I'd still want to be sure.

Side dots are present cannot 100% confirm they are in the correct position though

 

[MD]

Side dots are present cannot 100% confirm they are in the correct position though

Side position markers are really important for a quick reference on a naked slab.
IMHO... be sure.

 

[Jazzcat]

Proceed directly to G&L L-Series.

 

[73jbass]

A fretless Stingray is an option also.

 

[Dan55]

Mightymite fretless neck. Bolt it on. Set it up. Problem solved.

 

[oren]

You might think about a fretless Sire P7. I have a fretless V7 (Jazz style) and it's a very sweet instrument. And you can't beat the prices!

 

[NOVAX]

The way I play fretless, it's all about the mwah. Mwah comes alive when using the bridge pickup - I wouldn't ever get a P bass for fretless, as it wouldn't work for me (no bridge pickup). I do have a couple fretted P's - I'm not anti P, I'm just not a fan of fretless P's.

I tend to concur except for the tone of
David J Haskins from Bauhaus-
it isn't so much mwah as it is roarayer!

 

[craigie]

I love your idea of the fretless P. I watched some police concerts from the 80's not long ago and sting was playing a fretless P with a maple board if I remember correctly.

I wast just thinking of swapping my fretless neck back to my pj body. That bass was fantastic. Then I moved the fretless neck into a '60's reissue body and it's just not quite the same. I moved a nate Mendel P neck into the PJ and put flats (and tort of course) like a good TB member and have just never bonded with it. It sits unused sad and lonely. So you've given me the inspiration to change it back!

A jazz with a fretted P neck, you think that will sell? It will look nice with the vintage tint neck, white body and threaded bridge.

 

[NOVAX]

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[Tom Baker]

I've had a warmoth necked fretless P and it was great. I now have a fretless stingray and it's great. weirdly I think it's easier to get a good fretless than equivalent fretted bass. You probably can't wrong with the tony franklin or with a stingray or a G&L - you can also offend go a little more boutique for the same money because people buy them then can't get on with them and sell/trade them at a loss.

 

[citizenchris099]

best video on the Tony Franklin that I've seen

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nope

Screen Shot 2018-05-04 At 3.57.46 AM

• citizenchris099
• May 4, 2018
• squier

and nope

Screen Shot 2018-05-04 At 3.57.56 AM

• citizenchris099
• May 4, 2018

 

[citizenchris099]

Proceed directly to G&L L-Series.

View attachment 3005326View attachment 3005319

I typically purchase gear from Musiciansfriend. I have a decent line of credit and a pretty decent hook up with them to boot. Suffice is to say where does one go online to purchase said amazing looking fretless G&L?

A fretless Stingray is an option also.

same question as above. Musiciansfriend has neither G&L or EB Fretless ...anything

 

[micguy]

I tend to concur except for the tone of
David J Haskins from Bauhaus-
it isn't so much mwah as it is roarayer!

If it works for him, great.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Then the only thing I'd want to be absolutely sure of, it that the TF has side dots in the correct position.
At that price point, I have no doubt they are, but I'd still want to be sure.

I have a bass with a Tony Franklin fretless neck and the dots do line up with the fretline position. But keep in mind that this particular TF neck is the one he used as the prototype when he was working with Fender to design the original signature model. However, I'm sure the production basses are the same. Note; there is no side dot for the first fret like there is on my fretted Fender jazz. At least on my TF neck.

A good luthier knows where to put the dots when building a fretless bass. It's when your buying a bass that was defretted and the dots were not relocated is when you need to verify if they also relocated the side dots or not. There is less guess work of where to place your finger if the dots line up with the natural fretline.