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Show Your Fretless
- Thread starter GreyBeard
- Start date
I haven’t checked on this thread in a while and I just did a setup on this so I figured I’d throw it in the ring:
I like it a lot. I got it as part of a package deal several years ago and I wasn’t sure how I’d get on with it but I ended up liking it much more than I thought I would.
When I got it I just threw some strings on it that I had lying around (Hartke nickel rounds, I think) and gave the setup a very cursory check. It was nice and I just left it alone. This is the first time I’ve given it a proper setup and a set of Sunbeams and now I’m liking it even more.
I had contemplated changing pickups and adding a preamp but now I’m having second thoughts. It might be just fine the way it is.
Mine is a '97. Lots of variation in tone with just the passive tone control and pan. I recently put a set of LaBella Gold Flats on it and am surprised at how nice they sound and feel.
I am leaving mine stock as is. It sounds quite nice as is. I have gotten many positive comments on it's sound. More than I've gotten with other basses.
Enjoy!
Here's what my fretless sounds like. Everything is centered, both pickups:
Stock photo of the Tony Franklin fretless Fender Precision. I bought one of these last year to keep and always remind me of my Dad, Mike Green 1930-2020, who was also a great jazz drummer, arranger, teacher, my first bandleader and the man who helped me on my musical journey every step of the way. Thanks Dad. You are always in my thoughts.
Kinda off topic but quick question. I just restrung my BB350F with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings, 45-105's and I'm not loving the tone. I don't know what was on the bass when I bought it but I loved the tone prior. I heard the Ernie's on a fretted bass and loved the tone but not so much on my fretless. The tone is thin for lack of a better term. I know strings are subjective but I'd appreciate some suggestions.
Hey Santa Cruzin. Lived there for a while (I think...ha). Good times. Hope all are safe. Have new models coming out. Look for post from a customer on this thread of a mini bass pair. New design will have many features. Something like a US made Ritter. Will try for some sound bites soon. Just been too busy designing and making. Need to play more.
My slightly customized Fender Tony Franklin Precision. Since these pics were taken i put on a set of LaBella Black Nylon Tapes and love them!
Since posting this, I sold the RIC and got this G&L Kiloton.
Still got the jazz.
Totally is. Don't tell anyone, but it's waaaay more versatile, and far less of a hassle, then the RIC.
But shhhhhhh.
Oh, I’ve owned many models from both brands. Wouldn’t venture to say that, but I love my GL L1k and JB2
for what they do, which is very different to what my Rick Cheyennes do.
I would like to have another Kiloton one day, just not with a 1.5” nut.
