Homebrew 6-string fretless

[Arjank]

Just for sharing.
I did build this bass 20years ago, this was mainly because of Les Claypool. I used it mostly for the Primus coverband I was in (did the vocals too). I also was(still am) a big fan of Michael Manring so this fretless had to be build....I allmost lost the tip of my right hand index finger during the build....

This bass has been on one recording I did with a Dutch funk/jazz outfit back in 2007, after that period the bass has been hangin' on the wall until last week when I installed some fresh strings and did a bit of resoldering. This bass still has this unique sound, somewhere between Claypool and Manring's sound.

Specs:
* 5-piece maple/rosewood neckthrough construction with ebony fingerboard
* mahogany wings
* 34" scale
* string-through-body
* steel bridge with adjustable height per string
* EMG-DC bridge pickup
* EMG-J neck pickup (rarely used)
* EMG bts eq
* Treble frequency selector

 

[Gorn]

Very nice. Is there a link to the recording you mention?

 

[Arjank]

Very nice. Is there a link to the recording you mention?

Yeah, sort of.
Check out the tune "Dry Out", the bass could have been a bit more upfront in the mix though.....https://itunes.apple.com/nl/artist/surfcake/id279195510

 

[Arjank]

You can hear the whole tune here [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Jaco Taco]

Wow, you really didn't taper the neck much as it gets to the nut.

 

[Arjank]

Wow, you really didn't taper the neck much as it gets to the nut.

Maybe it's not very clear on the pic but it get's a lot more narrow near the nut. String spacing is slightly less then e.g. a Ken Smith or Yamaha 6-string. It's relatively "easy" to play since the neck is very flat(not much roundness) at the back.

 

[Arjank]

After I get used to this bass again I'll record a sample of how it sounds and put it on soundcloud.

 

[RickC]

I have a thing for fretless 6'ers as a rule, and definitely like what you've done here.