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Is the Tony Franklin Fretless really worth $2000+?

Thom Fioriglio

Thom Fioriglio

Oct 24, 2019
1,744
3,867
58
Long Island, NY
#1
Hi all,

I've been obsessing about a Lake Placid Blue Tony Franklin fretless bass but man, I don't know if I want to spend that kind of money. New they are now over $2,000 and used going for around $1800. I've read the comments and many say it's the best bass Fender makes and is Custom shop quality.

The thing is, I already own a Lakland 44-64 P/J fretless with a lined ebony board and super slim neck. The interest in the TF is the clean unlined fingerboard. I know it has a Hipshot D-tuner, which I can take or leave. Has anyone owned both? If so, how do they compare?

Unfortunately, there are no local stores that carry a TF Fretless to try.

Thanks.
 
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#4
Thom Fioriglio said:
Hi all,

I've been obsessing about a Lake Placid Blue Tony Franklin fretless bass but man, I don't know if I want to spend that kind of money. New they are now over $2,000 and used going for around $1800. I've read the comments and many say it's the best bass Fender makes and is Custom shop quality.

The thing is, I already own a Lakland 44-64 P/J fretless with a lined ebony board and super slim neck. The interest in the TF is the clean unlined fingerboard. I know it has a Hipshot D-tuner, which I can take or leave. Has anyone owned both? If so, how do they compare?

Unfortunately, there are no local stores that carry a TF Fretless to try.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

So you see my reply
 
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#5
Thom Fioriglio said:
I've read the comments and many say it's the best bass Fender makes and is Custom shop quality.
Click to expand...
i've read the same, and i believe it! too many great/trusted players have endorsed that specific ax as 'stellar'. that said, i'm no longer willing to pay that much for an EB: those days are over for me.

$2K+ seems like a lot of money just to get an unlined fingerboard, but getting the rest of the TF instrument with it has to have some advantages. ;)

i voted "no, not for me!" but it's your money, thom, and snagging "fender's best bass" can't be all bad, right? take @5andFretless up on his offer --- and good luck! :thumbsup:
 
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#7
No way any Fender bass guitar is worth 2 grand. Tony Franklin is my first, biggest hero. I've listened to, and learned, every note he's played since I first saw the video for the Firm's Radioactive in the 80s. I've wanted one of his signature basses since it's release, and when the LPB one showed up? I've lusted after it incessantly...

I have a 2010 Fender American Deluxe Jazz 5. I bought it as a pre release from Fender's factory direct as I have a friend who was head of their Marketing and Sales at that time. I got it for 800 dollars. It was assembled in their custom shop, and was over built, as it was to be a factory rep's copy to show retailers and sell the new Deluxe line. The 2010 thru 2011 versions of this bass are the best Fenders Fender ever made. For many reasons. But I wouldn't pay 2 grand for one. I wouldn't pay 2 grand for a 70s P or J, either. Terribly built basses that history is far too kind toward.

The Tony Franklin is a great bass. But it's a passive, modified P bass. With a name attached. And tho I lusted after one when I could get em for a grand or 1200? I believe 2000 is just too much for what it is. I have a fretless G&L M2500 fretless that sounds as identical to a TF as I've been able to achieve, but I got the bass for 1000. If I were the OP, I'd keep the Lakland. Maybe call them if an unlined board is that important, have them make a neck for it, and call it a day. In the end, Tony Franklin played a Stingray fretless, and a straight P fretless when I learned of him and became a fan. He's a super guy, a great teacher and inspiration, and I don't think it was his intent to create a bass that was unaffordable to a majority of his fans. That's the Fender machine. I won't support Fender and it's pricing nowadays, either. But that's just one fan's opinion. They are great basses. 2000 great? Maybe. But not to me.
 
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#8
@5andFretless has made a a very generous offer. Take you Lakland with you and compare them back to back. Only you know if it is worth it or not to you. Never let anyone else tell you how to spend your money. You earned it, and the choice is yours. If you decide that you want , you could possibly buy a used one and maybe sell your Lkaland if you dont find it necessary to own both. IF you are mainly a fretless player, you might actually enjoy having the option and backup.

I think they are worth the money. They sing like no other Fender Fretless thatI have ever heard. ( Other than the ones Jaco himself played.)

Keep us posted on what you decide.
 
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#11
I have one in black, (although I wanted the LPB color which is killer). The TF fretless is an awesome bass in build quality, tone, and especially playability. Love the unlined ebony board. I think the price is fair as compared to other Fender basses like the AVRI series and Fender CS (I have multiple AVRI and CS basses to compare to). But you have a great opportunity to judge for yourself with the kind offer from your Long Island neighbor. Good luck!
 
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#15
Ghastly said:
Well, plus there's the switching feature... my dad has the sunburst version and it's a great bass. I like the LPB look even better. I would take @5andFretless up on his offer and try his out, but my response would be YES.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I am curious how I will like the pickup selector switch. I got used to the volume blend on my Lakland and I also have a J bass. I'll see if I think it is better, same or a negative.
 
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#16
porterbass said:
I have one in black, (although I wanted the LPB color which is killer). The TF fretless is an awesome bass in build quality, tone, and especially playability. Love the unlined ebony board. I think the price is fair as compared to other Fender basses like the AVRI series and Fender CS (I have multiple AVRI and CS basses to compare to). But you have a great opportunity to judge for yourself with the kind offer from your Long Island neighbor. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. I'll be heading over to 5ForFretless in a little bit to compare. I used to play an unlined fretless years ago, so looking forward to give it another go.
 
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#17
Kind of a curious thread. So here’s my take.

The TF fretless P is the same price as a standard MiA Precision.

But for FREE you get:
Ebony fingerboard instead of pao ferro,
Upgraded pickups and electronics,
Hipshot D drop,
Painted headstock

So on its face you get $4-450 worth of FREE upgrades.

Now consider basic economics. Supply and demand suggests that YOU want one but your store doesn’t have one.

Maybe that says demand exceeds supply? Or maybe it suggests demand is very low. I think both are true. Fender sells 1 bass for every 90 guitars most years and 1 fretless for every 200+ basses. So where would you invest production capital if it were your job?

The way I see it, Fender could increase that bass price by $1,000 and sell the exact same amount.

Seriously. Where can you get an off the shelf fretless with ebony made in US for under $3,000 without waiting for a velocity-model semi custom such as Kiesel, for example?

If you buy a bass of this spec made in USA for under $2,500 you stole it.
 
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#18
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
@5andFretless has made a a very generous offer. Take you Lakland with you and compare them back to back. Only you know if it is worth it or not to you. Never let anyone else tell you how to spend your money. You earned it, and the choice is yours. If you decide that you want , you could possibly buy a used one and maybe sell your Lkaland if you dont find it necessary to own both. IF you are mainly a fretless player, you might actually enjoy having the option and backup.

I think they are worth the money. They sing like no other Fender Fretless thatI have ever heard. ( Other than the ones Jaco himself played.)

Keep us posted on what you decide.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great advice. I have to say, what a great community here on TalkBass and I am very appreciative of my Long Island neighbor's offer to come try it out. He's only 20 minutes from me. I was thinking of bringing my Lakland with me. I think that's a good idea. And also give him a chance to try it and get his opinion. I may be able to get a used one for a decent price.
 
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