Interesting perspective! I appreciate the thought that went into that.
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Is the Tony Franklin Fretless really worth $2000+?
- Thread starter Thom Fioriglio
- Start date
Are you complaining or bragging? The basses you have are probably quite good already.
No it's not. At least not if you're comparing it to a Pro II series precision. It costs just about as much more as you'd expect given the extra features.
Anyway, if you're bothered by the fact that all Fenders are "overpriced", you'll be bothered by the Tony Franklin as well. The only thing that bothers me about it is the nitro finish. I'm sure I'll find my way to picking up one at some point (used) since it seems perfect otherwise.
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I'd also suggest looking at used market. I've played fretless for a long time. But the reality is lots of players buy a fretless and move on because they either give up or they can't see it serving their repertoire. There are always used fretless basses on the market. Aside from the ebony neck there's nothing about a TF that is especially unique.
You're right about the color, LPB is fantastic.
There's a TF in LPB in Reading, PA for $1,599 on the Verb.
In how far /what way is the TF different to other Fender Fretless Jazzes out there?
I find it difficult to give up $2k for ANY bass. So the answer is "no". But I have a TF, got it used (2009), it looks new, nothing has changed in the models over the years. Sexiest bass I own.... black w ebony board is stunning. Put it this way..... plenty of us have them, but very few of us can play em. If I were you, I'd get my money right and patiently wait for the next great deal to come along. Honestly, I'd say $1500. - 1600. is more aligned to what I'd value one of these at.
Cool basses, but since you already have a fretless you dig I'd wait for a good deal. To me that would mean closer to 1,500 than 2000.
And yet it is when you adjust for Fender pulling Strats and Teles offline, essentially murdering a production day. In any wild way it costs Fender more to sell this bass than it costs you to buy it. They only offer it because it attracts buyers as a loss leader. Your case would hold up IF the TF was a common P bass in a different color like many of their signature models.
If I were running an instrument manufacturing entity, you would be my Chief Operating Officer. I think you're pretty spot on with your analysis!
Sure, I've heard people call the Tony Franklin fretless the best bass Fender makes, but I've heard them say the same thing about the Roscoe Beck, the Roadworn 60th anniversary, and several more.
Other than that, if people are actually paying $1,600 for MIMs, than $2,000 isn't really that bad.
Probably the nicest looking bass Fender's making.
Other than that, if people are actually paying $1,600 for MIMs, than $2,000 isn't really that bad.
Probably the nicest looking bass Fender's making.
They are manufactured. They exist. You can buy one.
Fender only currently offers Squier CV, Player or Am Pro 2 Jazz as fretless. You could also get a CS standard Jaco bass. Not truly custom but CS, a great bass. But these are all Jazz, not P.
So the key difference that can't be attained via user upgrade is ebony board and P split pickup routing. In a raw manufacturing sense that's the biggest difference.
But bear in mind the first thing above. Fender fretless basses exist and are produced in very limited quantities. The definition of "scarce". They always sell out stock. And don't forget, they won't simply make more mid cycle because that means fewer Strats. That's a sensible business decision.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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I cannot tell you how many times I've looked prices of BROs (bass related objects) and thought "that is not worth $x,xxx." ...especially in the TB classifieds
If things were priced like we would hope, wouldn't we all be ****** or just poorer and houses full of junk? Just asking for a friend..
One more vote for yes , it is really worth the $2000.00 it will take to get one . I wish Fender would price the stock Custom Shop basses like this .
My main bass is a parts Fender (Tony Franklin body and pickups, American Professional jazz neck), and I really am happy with it. That being said I got these parts new from the Stratosphere a few years ago for about $1,100, and nothing they are producing of the shelf really speaks to me in a comparable way. Looking at other companies and the quality they are putting out, I just don't see Fender being worth it at this point. The roasted necks Musicman is having built in Indonesia for less than 1K beats anything Fender is putting out sub 2K dollars, IMO.
That being said, the hype on the Tony Franklin is real. I had a chance to try one out next to a couple Nash basses a few years go. The Nashes made every American production Fender there feel like more or less a toy, except the TF, which really did hold its own. To me it's the only production American Fender that seems to stack up to the competition in terms of price and build quality. Maybe the used market on it will settle down in a few years. It's just a bad time to be buying anything right now.
That being said, the hype on the Tony Franklin is real. I had a chance to try one out next to a couple Nash basses a few years go. The Nashes made every American production Fender there feel like more or less a toy, except the TF, which really did hold its own. To me it's the only production American Fender that seems to stack up to the competition in terms of price and build quality. Maybe the used market on it will settle down in a few years. It's just a bad time to be buying anything right now.
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It's a fretless Precision that is simply very well put together with quality parts. $2,000 is simply not that big a price for a USA made bass anymore.
I've tried one out at a GC and it really is impressive.
The only other upgrade not mentioned is that it's a nitro finish as well.
The only other upgrade not mentioned is that it's a nitro finish as well.
I don't recall playing a Fender sig bass that wasn't truly exceptional, very much including MIM. Even Squire (Matt Freeman P).
In some cases, I was not a fan … or even less than not a fan… of the bassist or the specs, but good is good and great is great.
Kudos to someone offering a demo! Is it worth it to the OP? Mystery soon solved.
In some cases, I was not a fan … or even less than not a fan… of the bassist or the specs, but good is good and great is great.
Kudos to someone offering a demo! Is it worth it to the OP? Mystery soon solved.
1) I own, and love, a couple of Fender basses. I have owned, and loved, more than a dozen over the years. Several of my parts basses have Fender parts. So I am not anti-Fender.
2) That said, you can go to Warmoth and put together an EXQUISITE fretless bass, with everything made to your exact specifications, AND have a qualified tech assemble the parts for you, for less than two grand. There's no "magic" in Fender parts.
Pick your own body wood and finish. Pick your own neck wood and finish. Then pick your own electronics package.
Build the @Thom Fioriglio signature bass for less than that.
I would also throw in that I got an unlined G&L L2000 fretless for under a grand used and I'm simply thrilled with it.
2) That said, you can go to Warmoth and put together an EXQUISITE fretless bass, with everything made to your exact specifications, AND have a qualified tech assemble the parts for you, for less than two grand. There's no "magic" in Fender parts.
Pick your own body wood and finish. Pick your own neck wood and finish. Then pick your own electronics package.
Build the @Thom Fioriglio signature bass for less than that.
I would also throw in that I got an unlined G&L L2000 fretless for under a grand used and I'm simply thrilled with it.
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