Tony Franklin Bass

[Bring The Bass]

Trying to decide between a used or new Tony Franklin fretless. Recently found a sunburst finish that Fender no longer makes. Would be my first choice. New, I know it's either the black or Lake Placid blue. Leaning towards the black. My question has nothing to do with the finish. Does anyone know any specifics on the materials, electronics, etc. between the earlier ones and the ones currently manufactured? My guess is that they would similar. The used one that I'm considering is an '07. Are some years better than others? It's been 18 or 19 years now since Fender has been making the bass. Thanks!

 

[jeff62]

No differences I’m aware of. They are exquisite basses. Love mine. I bought a fretted neck for it and can switch between the two as needed.

 

[Bass1447]

I wish I could find a TF in a 5 string. Not sure if they were ever made. I know... Google.

But to answer the OP. If the sunburst is in great shape. It would be my first choice as well.

 

[atquinn]

I had a 2019 (sunburst) and now have a 2023 (LPN). The 2019 neck had unrounded fretboard edges and an untinted neck. Fretboard edges on the 2023 are more rounded (not as rounded as, say my Am Pro 2 precision's) and the neck is tinted (which looks much better IMO, but doesn't matter to onlookers due to the LPB headstock ). Electronically, they were the same and (if my auditory memory can be trusted) they sound the same. I believe the split P has always been the same (it's hotter than most Fender split Ps and measures in the low-mid 11s). I don't believe the bridge pickup was always branded as a DiMarzio Model J (although it might have always been a Model J). Both of my TFs weighed about the same (8.8 lbs) and they're both neck heavy due to the dumb vintage tuners (including the drop d tuner), but not ridiculously so.

 

[Bring The Bass]

No differences I’m aware of. They are exquisite basses. Love mine. I bought a fretted neck for it and can switch between the two as needed.

I've read about people that have swapped the neck as well because they love the way bass is set up. Guessing that's why they made a fretted option for a few years.

 

[Bring The Bass]

I had a 2019 (sunburst) and now have a 2023 (LPN). The 2019 neck had unrounded fretboard edges and an untinted neck. Fretboard edges on the 2023 are more rounded (not as rounded as, say my Am Pro 2 precision's) and the neck is tinted (which looks much better IMO, but doesn't matter to onlookers due to the LPB headstock ). Electronically, they were the same and (if my auditory memory can be trusted) they sound the same. I believe the split P has always been the same (it's hotter than most Fender split Ps and measures in the low-mid 11s). I don't believe the bridge pickup was always branded as a DiMarzio Model J (although it might have always been a Model J). Both of my TFs weighed about the same (8.8 lbs) and they're both neck heavy due to the dumb vintage tuners (including the drop d tuner), but not ridiculously so.

Thanks for the thorough comparison. Interesting about the fret edges and that's only within a few years apart. Neck dip certainly not a concern. My main bass is a '73 Precision. I'd shop vintage but the right bass for the right price could take forever.

 

[atquinn]

Thanks for the thorough comparison. Interesting about the fret edges and that's only within a few years apart. Neck dip certainly not a concern. My main bass is a '73 Precision. I'd shop vintage but the right bass for the right price could take forever.

If you love your 70s precision, I can't imagine you not loving any Tony Franklin.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Any way you can play them beforehand? Because forget the finish. Get the one with the best tone.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

There is a difference not on hand that know by year but

There are models that came with a Dimarzio DP123 bridge pickup
And then one with a fender pickup with dimarzio style poles and are silver and are raised factory not flat

My high school had a white fretted one with the fender

My mutt I built with a Tony Franklin pick guard had a dp123

His main bass had the dimarzio
As far as voicing goes
The fender was hot but not as much low mids I found compared to the dimarzio

 

[Gino t]

i can't answer your ? but i bought a LPB 2023 TF neck off stratosphere and bolted it onto a Duff McKagan body and really liked sound/playability but it was an aesthetic disaster.

also remember old threads definitely talking about weight differences and maybe pickups/caps/pots

G

Thread 'Tony Franklin signature fretless - verdict?'

Jan 26, 2025

Someone referenced this bass in a recent thread and it got me thinking. I’ve been wanting to try one forever (watched a lot of TF videos with him playing it) but none of the stores where I live ever carry one. Would be interested in reports from those who have owned this bass.

• Geepers
• Replies: 40
• Forum: Basses [BG]

Thread 'Is the Tony Franklin Fretless really worth $2000+?'

Dec 4, 2022

Hi all,

I've been obsessing about a Lake Placid Blue Tony Franklin fretless bass but man, I don't know if I want to spend that kind of money. New they are now over $2,000 and used going for around $1800. I've read the comments and many say it's the best bass Fender makes and is Custom shop quality.

The thing is, I already own a Lakland 44-64 P/J fretless with a lined ebony board and super slim neck. The interest in the TF is the clean unlined fingerboard. I know it has a Hipshot D-tuner, which I can take or leave. Has anyone owned both? If so, how do they compare?

Unfortunately...

• Thom Fioriglio
• Replies: 158
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

 

[Bring The Bass]

There is a difference not on hand that know by year but

There are models that came with a Dimarzio DP123 bridge pickup
And then one with a fender pickup with dimarzio style poles and are silver and are raised factory not flat

My high school had a white fretted one with the fender

My mutt I built with a Tony Franklin pick guard had a dp123

His main bass had the dimarzio
As far as voicing goes
The fender was hot but not as much low mids I found compared to the dimarzio

Interesting. I've seen some with the silver poles on the bridge pickup. Thanks for explaining the reason.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

In my experience the quality of Fender basses was far more consistent in 2007 than today. Especially the more expensive MIA models. I don't remember seeing anywhere near as many flawed, brand new Fender basses back then. These days it seems like a lottery. Many of them are good, some of them even great, but far too many brand new Fenders I've seen in recent years had serious flaws and should never have left the factory.

On the other hand, I would NEVER buy a used bass in this price range untested.

Ideally you should test both basses and inspect them closely. Make sure the neck is straight with no sign of a "ski jump" and that the truss rod works and has room for further adjustment. If both basses are flawless (apart from normal wear on the used one) you should get the one that feels best to YOU. Keep in mind that different strings/setup can make the basses feel COMPLETELY different.

If testing the basses isn't an option (which I'm guessing might be the case when you have to ask for advice about this) the safest choice will probably be the new one, and to buy it from a store with a good return policy.

 

[Bring The Bass]

In my experience the quality of Fender basses was far more consistent in 2007 than today. Especially the more expensive MIA models. I don't remember seeing anywhere near as many flawed, brand new Fender basses back then. These days it seems like a lottery. Many of them are good, some of them even great, but far too many brand new Fenders I've seen in recent years had serious flaws and should never have left the factory.

On the other hand, I would NEVER buy a used bass in this price range untested.

Ideally you should test both basses and inspect them closely. Make sure the neck is straight with no sign of a "ski jump" and that the truss rod works and has room for further adjustment. If both basses are flawless (apart from normal wear on the used one) you should get the one that feels best to YOU. Keep in mind that different strings/setup can make the basses feel COMPLETELY different.

If testing the basses isn't an option (which I'm guessing might be the case when you have to ask for advice about this) the safest choice will probably be the new one, and to buy it from a store with a good return policy.

Thanks! Excellent advice. Plan on checking out the used one hopefully as soon as I can squeeze in the road trip. Just trying to make sure it's worth the hassle. An '06 or '07 but certainly no basement bargain deal. Condition is mint as far as pics go. New would be Sweetwater. I couldn't bring myself to buy a bass without playing it first unless returnable.

 

[n30g30]

I've read about people that have swapped the neck as well because they love the way bass is set up. Guessing that's why they made a fretted option for a few years.

I own a fretted version and to me, it’s the perfect pbass. Natural body maple neck. I changed the controls to volume volume tone - actually the dude I bought it from made that mod. And I bought it off this forum 10 or more years ago