Retractable Frets!!!

[malthumb]

Watch the video, then cast your vote

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[Bob the Bass]

Neat, & what a player !

 

[DrGroovenstein]

sounds kind of thin to me, probably has something to do with the frets not being set in a fingerboard.

 

[lowmid]

yes, the bass sounds way beter in fretless mode

 

[vene-nemesis]

3rd thread about this bass... i like the idea but the fretted part sounds awful.

 

[BassManPatsFan]

23rd thread about this bass... i like the idea but the fretted part sounds awful.

fixed it.
-Alex

 

[Figjam]

I wouldnt expect this from a non noob, whats up malthumb?

 

[EBMatt]

I really don't think that the bass sounds bad at all fretted - it's nothing you couldn't fix with a few EQ adjustments. Also, take into consideration that he puts some reverb on when in the fretless mode, making it sound a bit nicer fretless.

 

[MikeyFingers]

I think this has been posted before, but in case you haven't seen it, here's the site of the guy that makes them. http://mikeyguitar.com/Demo.asp (he did it with a regular guitar too!
I think it's an awesome idea, but I gotta wonder how long that neck is gonna last.

 

[malthumb]

I wouldnt expect this from a non noob, whats up malthumb?

Slow Day + Interesting Concept = Freaky Poll

My personal take on it is that I'd be concerned about the integrity of the neck. What type of hardware is under that fingerboard and what happens to it if you have to adjust relief? Will the frets still line up correctly with truss adjustments? That's just me thinking like an engineer, not a bass player. Some of the issues with the sound of the fretted mode could probably be EQ'd out. What did surprise me is that the fretless mode sounded so good. I would be concerned that any gaps in the fingerboard surface would queer the sound.

Peace,

James

 

[pathdoc2]

Killer idea. Sounds great in both modes.

 

[62bass]

There was/is one for sale in the 12th Fret store in Toronto. It's very well made and sounds very good. Just way too expensive.

 

[pathdoc2]

How much?

 

[Figjam]

Several thousand. For that price, you can get way better im sure...



Im also curious about the truss rod and the fret levels and such.

 

[HaVIC5]

It's ridiculously expensive, so it isn't even work having around as a novelty. Still nice to dream, though.

 

[phxlbrmpf]

Still don't like the fretted sound, must be the pretty middy sound he has going in.

 

[Bigoo7e]

Did anyone else notice on the video... go back and look at it, its a 5 string bass with only 4 strings on it... WOW, great way to sell a product, this same video is also advertising the product on there website. If they can have that much attention to detail how do you think the bass would hold up if you bought one yourself?

Just a thought... any comments?

 

[LajoieT]

I don't mind the freted sound, I'm wondering if a fretjob is even possible???

 

[WillPlay4Food]

Did anyone else notice on the video... go back and look at it, its a 5 string bass with only 4 strings on it... WOW, great way to sell a product, this same video is also advertising the product on there website. If they can have that much attention to detail how do you think the bass would hold up if you bought one yourself?

Just a thought... any comments?

Maybe you should watch the video again. The 5th string is plainly visible around 20 seconds into the video. You can also see the string coming off the bridge saddle throughout the video.

 

[vene-nemesis]

I don't mind the freted sound, I'm wondering if a fretjob is even possible???

Yes, but i bet that any smart guit tech or luthier is going to tell you that if the frets wont roll inside the fretboard once the fretjob is done hes is not going to pay you a new full set of frets.

BTW that bass has no fetboard radius.