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The Fretless Club

Status
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#761
Bassbus, this particular Status started out as a fretted model with gold hardware. I then swapped out everything for black, ABM bridge, Ultralites etc...

Then it briefly had a lined fretless neck until more recently when I finally had the unlined board fitted that you see here.

The body is rosewood and the back is ash, and the middle core is actually amazaque -but I'm not really sure exactly what that is!?

It plays very well like all Status basses, and sounds great but is maybe just a little bit heavy (due to the ash) at about 4.7 kgs (10.4 lbs).

Rob.

S25Fretless.gif
 
#762
WesW said:
So - did Thor just do the fingerboard - or the body as well?
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Only the fingerboard and a pretty comprehensive set-up: a good amount of work on the nut height, neck shim, and relief to get the perfect amount of "Growl & Mwah" (the fretless version of "Shock & Awe", I suppose ;) ). Besides the amazing job on the epoxy, I should also mention it was a very complete setup that "makes" the final product a beauty.

The body is pure Spector quality, straight from their Czech facilities. The only difference is that it was stained a custom color - the custom order for a lined fretless ReBop took many wrong turns due to incompetence on the part of the dealer, and PJ @ Spector took mercy on me and my far-too-long wait by having it sprayed Blueburst, not a standard color for the ReBop line but something I asked if possible to look nice alongside her fretted "sister", a ReBop 5 DLX FM in Black Cherryburst. :D

Man - every time I see Thor's work, I wanna send him a couple of my basses!!
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As I said it's not cheap, but I purchased the bass with the intention of having it done (I actually had him put me on his wait list *before* I received the bass) and even factored in with the cost of the Spector, I'd put it up against fretless basses a good deal more expensive than the total cost turned out to be in the end. It all depends on what your fretless tone preferences are (bright and "modern" or less bright and more "woody" and how much/how serious you play to invest in the process, but as a great philosopher once said, Invalid Link Removed

Thanks for posting!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliments! I'm currently cleaning and reworking my music/recording space, so when I have some examples of the Spector/Thor epoxy combo recorded I'll posted them here ASAP.

labrat said:
I'd like to join. :hyper: Enough fretless?

08.jpg
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The ability to play chords while still having room for all of Thanksgiving dinner is an underrated one... ;)

04.jpg
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More neck bolts than Frankenstein's Monster, I tell you. Seriously, very nice ERB - just thinking about someone handing it to me and saying "Now, we need you to sit in for a set or two..." makes me sweat. As well as give me back aches.
 
#763
HalfManHalfBass said:
Bassbus, this particular Status started out as a fretted model with gold hardware. I then swapped out everything for black, ABM bridge, Ultralites etc...

Then it briefly had a lined fretless neck until more recently when I finally had the unlined board fitted that you see here.

The body is rosewood and the back is ash, and the middle core is actually amazaque -but I'm not really sure exactly what that is!?

It plays very well like all Status basses, and sounds great but is maybe just a little bit heavy (due to the ash) at about 4.7 kgs (10.4 lbs).

Rob.

S25Fretless.gif
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Have you checked out Invalid Link Removed. All things Status and anything else you need to know about the basses.

http://www.statii.com/forum/news.php
 
#765
Ian Perge said:
Only the fingerboard and a pretty comprehensive set-up: a good amount of work on the nut height, neck shim, and relief to get the perfect amount of "Growl & Mwah" (the fretless version of "Shock & Awe", I suppose ;) ). Besides the amazing job on the epoxy, I should also mention it was a very complete setup that "makes" the final product a beauty.

The body is pure Spector quality, straight from their Czech facilities. The only difference is that it was stained a custom color - the custom order for a lined fretless ReBop took many wrong turns due to incompetence on the part of the dealer, and PJ @ Spector took mercy on me and my far-too-long wait by having it sprayed Blueburst, not a standard color for the ReBop line but something I asked if possible to look nice alongside her fretted "sister", a ReBop 5 DLX FM in Black Cherryburst. :D

As I said it's not cheap, but I purchased the bass with the intention of having it done (I actually had him put me on his wait list *before* I received the bass) and even factored in with the cost of the Spector, I'd put it up against fretless basses a good deal more expensive than the total cost turned out to be in the end. It all depends on what your fretless tone preferences are (bright and "modern" or less bright and more "woody" and how much/how serious you play to invest in the process, but as a great philosopher once said, Invalid Link Removed

Thanks for the compliments! I'm currently cleaning and reworking my music/recording space, so when I have some examples of the Spector/Thor epoxy combo recorded I'll posted them here ASAP.
Click to expand...

Excellent. And great quote. :)

btw - if you need anyplace to host tunes - I've got a hook up or 2.

Do you have a link or contact info for Thor? I'd like to put a link up on my site as well.

Thanks!
 
#768
Ian Perge said:
The ability to play chords while still having room for all of Thanksgiving dinner is an underrated one... ;)



More neck bolts than Frankenstein's Monster, I tell you. Seriously, very nice ERB - just thinking about someone handing it to me and saying "Now, we need you to sit in for a set or two..." makes me sweat. As well as give me back aches.
Click to expand...

:D Haha! Let it never be said I never provide for my family! Did I mention that I surf on it too?

Come to think of it, Thanksgiving is around the corner. Hmmmm.
 
#769
Ian Perge said:
As I said it's not cheap, but I purchased the bass with the intention of having it done (I actually had him put me on his wait list *before* I received the bass) and even factored in with the cost of the Spector, I'd put it up against fretless basses a good deal more expensive than the total cost turned out to be in the end. It all depends on what your fretless tone preferences are (bright and "modern" or less bright and more "woody" and how much/how serious you play to invest in the process, but as a great philosopher once said, Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

I'm such a fan of his work. Isn't it about a 2 year waiting list?
 
#774
labrat said:
I'm such a fan of his work. Isn't it about a 2 year waiting list?
Click to expand...

It's between 18 months and 2 years, yes. But given the sheer amount of work he does: not only Epoxy jobs for bassists, but custom guitar and bass build as well as repair jobs, setups, pickup and preamp installations as well - I have a feeling he's in very high demand for all of these and is most likely one of the top repair shops in upstate NY. (I spent summers up when I was a kid, and remember just how empty and "boring" it was... at least for a pre-teen)

There's also the simple fact that each bass takes a decent amount of time to complete: several coating with curing times of a few days between, sanding/leveling in-between, repeat, and a final two weeks of curing to completely harden. Even if Harris were to hire 5 people, you wouldn't see a 5X increase in production because of the physical aspects involved.

The positive is that you're not without your bass during that time - all you're doing is putting your name on his list. I can say that after a few months the idea somewhat fades to the back of your mind, that you know you're going to have it down but you're not "counting the days". Once you receive his email telling you it's time to send it in, however? I'm not sure I ever packed and shipped a bass as fast as my own.

As I've said, it's not for everyone: players who like a "woodier" fretless tone, who play older basses, and who don't have the money. But even those above in a side-by-side testing would have to admit the quality of Harris' work, what his process imparts to the tone of a "modern" fretless, and that his work is absolutely worth the money. I'll be a fan for life, and when the day comes when I'll be able to purchase a Mike Lull Modern 5 fretless Jazz-type, the first call I'll be making will be to Harris to be placed on The List... again. :D
 
#775
Well, I'm just waiting for my number, I want to join the club... my post and the photo of my fretless Malinek is - as far as I remember - on the previous page (eclipsed by the gorgeous Spector and the breathtaking Status, but still there).
Click to expand...

Numbers seem to happen every few days here - don't worry, it'll happen.
BTW that Malinek is a nice looking bass, and definitely kicks booty with your stage apparel.
 
#776
Beautiful instruments in this thread. Kesslari - I love your Zon, and I know how awesome it must sound and play. I recently parted with my Sonus S/C...

2769356869_a83e64bbae_b.jpg


...only because of this:
3018935127_fa27deb858_o.jpg


That pic doesn't do justice to the top. Here it is next to the other Roscoe...
2973015309_c5d897d7e3_b.jpg


I'm still adjusting to the 35" scale - fretless intonation is undoubtedly a lifetime pursuit for me anyway - but I love the sound and playability.
 
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