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NBD: Fender PBAC fretless

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#1
I've had quite a run of NBDs so far this year in my search for lighter weight basses but this is probably last or maybe last but one... an 89/90 fretless PBAC to replace my '70s fretless P-bass which is now in the out tray. Wasn't sure if I'd like the PBAC but it's a great bass! Needs some luthier attention as the fingerboard has a little hump around 3-5 on the treble side interestingly just like the '70s one had but other than that it's pretty good for 30+ years. Lots of tone options with active Lace Sensor mag and piezo bridge and that is such a great look, I think it's a keeper :)

[Edit] black nylon tapewounds and chrome dome knobs are my additions.
 
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#2
ficelles said:
I've had quite a run of NBDs so far this year in my search for lighter weight basses but this is probably last or maybe last but one... an 89/90 fretless PBAC to replace my '70s fretless P-bass which is now in the out tray. Wasn't sure if I'd like the PBAC but it's a great bass! Needs some luthier attention as the fingerboard has a little hump around 3-5 on the treble side interestingly just like the '70s one had but other than that it's pretty good for 30+ years. Lots of tone options with active Lace Sensor mag and piezo bridge and that is such a great look, I think it's a keeper :)

[Edit] black nylon tapewounds and chrome dome knobs are my additions.
Click to expand...
Lovely instrument! Hope you get years of enjoyment out of it...
The chrome knobs look great imo.
 
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#7
ficelles said:
I've had quite a run of NBDs so far this year in my search for lighter weight basses but this is probably last or maybe last but one... an 89/90 fretless PBAC to replace my '70s fretless P-bass which is now in the out tray. Wasn't sure if I'd like the PBAC but it's a great bass! Needs some luthier attention as the fingerboard has a little hump around 3-5 on the treble side interestingly just like the '70s one had but other than that it's pretty good for 30+ years. Lots of tone options with active Lace Sensor mag and piezo bridge and that is such a great look, I think it's a keeper :)

[Edit] black nylon tapewounds and chrome dome knobs are my additions.
Click to expand...
My buddy has had one of these from new, one of few he has kept, probably because he earned the money himself as a teenager selling sweet corn out of a van :laugh: May yours bring you as many years of enjoyment and memories. Congratulations.
 
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#10
JRA said:
ha! no kidding! :laugh:

but wow! you did good! that's such a fine looking fretless --- maybe i'm feeling a little GAS envy :D --- it sure is a looker --- congratulations on your new instrument! :thumbsup:
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In defense of my unstoppable GAS I am parting with some as well as acquiring some... so far my Warwick fretted 5 has gone and the '77 P is also for sale, and I parted with a bass rig and a couple of pedals. There has definitely been an overall increase in bass numbers though :)
 
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#16
That is a really interesting bass actually, I was also in the market for one before. I love these oddball japanese Fenders. They're the only ones who dare to make something non-traditional.

There's also very few information on it. It sometimes goes by the name of PBAC-100. Sometimes PBAC-950. No one really knows the difference. It also came under the name of HMT, but with a tilted hockey stick headstock.

Did you check if the battery is hanging loose inside? Seems to be a common problem on these.
 
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#20
Shirobon said:
That is a really interesting bass actually, I was also in the market for one before. I love these oddball japanese Fenders. They're the only ones who dare to make something non-traditional.

There's also very few information on it. It sometimes goes by the name of PBAC-100. Sometimes PBAC-950. No one really knows the difference. It also came under the name of HMT, but with a tilted hockey stick headstock.

Did you check if the battery is hanging loose inside? Seems to be a common problem on these.
Click to expand...

It's pretty tight in there and it looks like padding and a battery clip extender has been added at some point so the battery is held in place. Not sure what the preset is but I'm guessing piezo level. If I'd wired this it would be a lot neater.
 

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