Tony Franklin/ Steve Bailey Sig Mwah Factor

[BKBassDude]

I'm in the market for a new fretless, and since I work for a Fender dealer, I can get Fender stuff at near cost.

So the two basses that I'm deciding between are the Tony Franklin sig and the Steve Bailey sig. The 4 vs 6 strings actually is a very small part of the decision, as I have owned fretless 6ers before. My main concern is sound. I want the mwahiest bass I can find. I lean towards Pino mwah, especially the tunes he did with Don Henley. I consider those the ultimate fretless tone. Would either of these basses be able to get that sound?

I would lean towards the TF because I don't really need a 6. However, if the SB would be better suited to the sound I'm looking for (that Pbass pick up strikes me as a mwah sucker), I'll get that one. My previous experience with a fretless 6 was a Pedulla that I was never really happy with the sound on (despite their reputation for mwahiness). I also found the C string had a very different tone from the rest of the strings, more drastic than I've ever heard on another 6. These are the things pushing me towards the TF.

Can anyone comment on these basses? Thanks!

 

[kamakiriad7]

A TF has a fair bit of mwah, moreso than my old fretless jazz. I think the ebony has a lot to do with it. Anyway, I find that the TF doesn't have much mwah on the E and A strings, even with really low action - only in the mid to upper registers does it really sing. This leads me to believe that the SB might be a better choice, because you also get 24 frets of mwah instead of 20.

I've never typed mwah so much in one sitting. Also, I've played the SB fretted, and it's the most comfortable sixer I've ever played, what with the asymmetrical neck and all.

 

[GregBass1979]

If you're trying to emmulate Pino's sound you gotta buy yourself a 70's 5-string {or 4} EBMM Stingray fretless like Pino used for all those recordings. The TF won't be as warm necessarily as the EBMM, but it has plenty of mwah for sure and built like a tank.

 

[J. Crawford]

If you're trying to emmulate Pino's sound you gotta buy yourself a 70's 5-string {or 4} EBMM Stingray fretless like Pino used for all those recordings. The TF won't be as warm necessarily as the EBMM, but it has plenty of mwah for sure and built like a tank.

I agree, but seeing he works for a Fender dealer...

I say go with the SB, just because I dont see those as much! The SB will be a more old school Jazz tone bass, while the TF is more hard and rocker. IMO, of course.

 

[BKBassDude]

I agree, but seeing he works for a Fender dealer...

I say go with the SB, just because I dont see those as much! The SB will be a more old school Jazz tone bass, while the TF is more hard and rocker. IMO, of course.

Yeah the deal I can get these for is pretty much impossible to pass up.

Thanks for the info, the SB was initially my first choice and probably will end up being what I get. The active electronics should help me to get that mwah vibe as well (in addition to the old school J tones).

 

[JOME77]

My previous experience with a fretless 6 was a Pedulla that I was never really happy with the sound on (despite their reputation for mwahiness). I also found the C string had a very different tone from the rest of the strings, more drastic than I've ever heard on another 6.

That's fairly common on the high C whether it's a fretless or fretted bass. String gauge has a lot to do with that.

Back on topic, Either of those Fenders models would work fine with the right setup. One of the nicest sounding fretless basses that I've owned was a warmoth 5 string j-bass with ebony fb and Bart pu's and Bart 3-band pre. It had mwah and growl for days. The 3-band pre (w/MID) really helps dial in the tone in my head.

Good luck!