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Tony Franklin Fretted: thoughts/opinions?

I have the fretless version... would I ever think of selling it?... NO WAY... I've been playing for 40 years and it's the meanest sounding, tightest playing bass
I've ever owned ! (even equipped with round wounds this this is a slick player!):hyper:

BTW, I've owned more 60's era P-basses that
I'd like to admit... and that was in the 60's !!!!!
and this one fries them all !!!!!!!
 
Played the natural/yellow, Tony Franklin Fretted at the Bass Centre yesterday... Unbelievable tone solid MIA construction and unique finish...
I have ordered the olympic white version...

I tried the 75 Reissue, Harris Signature P, MIA Standard J, Marcus Miller MIJ Signature and the Franklin 'ate them alive'...

I'm a huge fender jazz fan and my main axe is a Geddy Lee... but the tonal possibilities on the Franklin are outstanding... without annoying (IMO) onboard pre-amps and/or active circuitry...

If you can find one buy it!

Only con... the standard vintage bridge...
 
I need to immeadiatly unsubscribe from this thread...every time there's comment it's invariably always totally positive and my GAS pains spike up to near uncontrolable levels...

This will be my rationalization to resist.....not offered with a rosewood board / oly white combination....purely personal feel and cosmetic purposes only, I know...but this is my strongest defensive position I can take....
 
It's an amazing bass...mine's just 8.5 lbs. which is pretty light for a P/J. I love the nitro finish, the B-width, nicely tinted neck and the 3-way switch. I also have a '00 Hot Rodded Precision with the V/V/T knobs, and I MUCH prefer the switch which quickly gives you three very useful, very distinct tones.

With Fender's recent price increase, the TF is less expensive than a American Vintage reissue. It is probably the best deal Fender currently has on a USA-made bass.


I gassed about this one for several months before finally pulling the trigger. I'm soooooo glad I did!

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Ok, here's some negative stuff. The Jazz pickup on my fretless went out (replaced under warranty). The input on the fretted is shorting out and I'll have to pay to get that fixed. That being said I'd still like to have another fretless one to have a different set of strings on it. I really like the TI's, but I'd like to use the LaBella's sometime as well. The Mrs wasn't to fond of the purchase of a 2nd one, a 3rd might get me booted! :D
 
today i just played a 2010 fender p deluxe, american st, road worn and the tony fretted.

i went home very very happily with the franklin fretted, although the road worn was really awesome it made me want to play less which i think is cool sometimes. the rest were great basses but the tony franklin fretted hit the nail on the head, i would love to play the fretless as well

i cant wait to gig with it sounds like nothing ive played before, just huge and perfect mix between j and p and both pickups sounded unreal when soloed as well :bassist: