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Possible Tony Franklin Tribute

J. Crawford

J. Crawford

Feb 15, 2008
14,147
2,875
FL
#1
I have always been both a Tony Franklin fan, and a fan of fretless basses. Well, it just happens to be that I have a sunburst P bass body, and a maple/ebony fretless neck on the way to me.

Are you thinking what Im thinking? Poor mans TF Sig?

Im just kinda in the thinking stage. My dad says he is in for the learning process, and up for learning and doing pretty much anything I set my mind to.

So, I want your votes. And yes, its my JV body, but I live by the "only live once" rule, and my basses arent investments. Theyre tools of the trade. ;)

Any input is great! Im a total newb to electronics, but Im sure I could figure it out with the help of you guys.

J.

(And this was sparked by the awesome builds of BassGod76, so if he sees this, I wanted to give him props.)
 
#6
EagleMoon said:
I say go for it. No better way to learn than to jump in there and do it. I'm sure you'll get lots of tips and advice from people here on the forum. Sounds like a fun project. And what better vehicle for modding than a Squier?
Click to expand...

I thought exactly the same. Thats how Tony got his original bass they way it is, modded it until it sounded perfect.. and look where it got him! :D
 
#8
What a silly project.

Why would you waste your time on this?

A Tony Franklin bass is overrated.
Fretless precision basses are terrible things.






here is where I should put the ninja smiley
if there's anything the bass playing world needs more then it's fretless precision basses and Tony Franklin sig basses.
 
#10
J. Crawford said:
I was going to say, when did René become an anit-fretless dude with his brand new Roscoe and such?

Im just waiting for the neck to get here. Should arrive by the weekend.
Click to expand...

Don't worry, zombies ate my brains last night. :)






Oviously I was not serious. :ninja:



Actually, with the new Roscoe, how great that bass may be, the Tony Franklin still is my main bass.


It's hard to bump that wonderful instrument of it's throne.


Seems like a cool build you are planning. :D
I'd love to see the end result.
 
#11
Okay, bringing up a long dead thread of mine.

I love this bass. Many of you, and all that have posted in this thread, have seen the bass already, but here it is just in case:
DSC07607.jpg


Now, I have some good cash coming to me, and seeing I love this bass very much I finally want to do the mods I have been planning to do.

1. Put a J pickup in the bridge position. I cant decide if I want it in the 70s style, or the standard style.
2. A new bridge.. The one I have is original, but the action just isnt quite low enough. If a new bridge wont change this, lemme know so I dont waste money!
3. Get the neck joint fixed. Im afraid to do it myself, so its still the way way it has been.
4. Get a drop D tuner. My bass has American vintage RI Nickel tuners straight from GuitarPartsResource and Im not sure which detuner to look into.
5. Possibly a new pickguard. I love my black, but it doesnt fit quite right. I might just stick with it, or get a tort one. This is kinda an extra thing.

Anybody know of any competent luthiers or techs in the Pittsburgh area who could do these things for me at a reasonable price?

Thanks guys! I hope this all works out. If you have any of the things I need, like a high output Jazz pickup, or a detuner, lemme know so we can talk.
 
#17
J. Crawford said:
Are you thinking what Im thinking? Poor mans TF Sig?

Im just kinda in the thinking stage. My dad says he is in for the learning process, and up for learning and doing pretty much anything I set my mind to.
Click to expand...

I'll do it if you do it! We can share tips, photos, ideas, etc...

Memmer I bought that $80 Squier "firehouse bass"? The main reason was to not have to lug my Feneders and keep them safe, but the other was to practice mods and set-ups and such. Obviously, it's not a fretless, but you can do the TF fretless and I'll do the TF fretted!

My father-in-law has all the shop tools. I can route, and shield, and 3-way switch the **** out of that bass without worrying a bit! Whaddaya say? Let's do it! :hyper::hyper:
 

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