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Unknown, Unlined, Unmarked Fretless Bass!

HexEnductionInc

HexEnductionInc

Aug 24, 2014
26
7
Massachusetts
#1
I got this bass in a trade the other day.

1231141956.jpg 1231141956a.jpg

It was a bit of a mess, but it cleaned up really well. It's a beautiful one-piece body, possibly ash, with an unlined fretless neck with truss rod adjustment at the heel, and what I believe is an ebony board. There is no maker's mark anywhere on it...the only thing I can identify are the Carvin pickups, which I suppose could mean it's a Carvin custom job. I can't find a similar one, especially with the Fender-style headstock. Anyone have any idea what this may be?
 
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Reactions: Spent, Pentatonic, Fabian_Aryo and 1 other person
#3
Oh man, it sounds fantastic. It's my first fretless, and it's got a tone like an amplified upright. It feels like it's something special, definitely a keeper. Just gotta adapt to no fret lines, but that's a problem I'm more than happy to solve.

The guy I bought it from mentioned the name Jaco Pastorius in relation to this bass, but I'm dubious as to the claim. Still, if it is indeed a parts bass, whoever put it together knew what they were doing.
 
#14
OK, got the neck off today and this is what I found:
0101151522.jpg
Terrible photo, I know...for those with poor vision, it says "N 105 EN-FL"...
0101151522a.jpg
...and this one reads "387".

Does this shed anymore light on the mystery?

You guys are right though, it really doesn't matter who made this thing. Famous custom shop or Joe Q. Public garage woodshop, it looks like a dream and plays/sounds even better. I honestly can't put it down. What was that quote about Jaco considering frets "speedbumps"? I see what he meant!
 
#16
Gilmourisgod said:
With a rock solid Jaco connection like that, should go for $50,000 on Ebay! Unfortunately, there is another guy who beat you to it, though I think he's down to $20k for a parts bass. Nice looking bass, is that an ash body?
Click to expand...

Ha! Isn't hearsay admissable in a court of law? Or at least in the court of public opinion? Uh, a tennis court maybe? OK, I guess it'll have to start at $19,998, undercut the competition. Bet I could double that if I part it out...

But seriously, it looks to be ash, one nice solid piece, weighs in right around 11 pounds.
 
#17
HexEnductionInc said:
OK, got the neck off today and this is what I found:
View attachment 533161
Terrible photo, I know...for those with poor vision, it says "N 105 EN-FL"...
View attachment 533165
...and this one reads "387".

Does this shed anymore light on the mystery?

You guys are right though, it really doesn't matter who made this thing. Famous custom shop or Joe Q. Public garage woodshop, it looks like a dream and plays/sounds even better. I honestly can't put it down. What was that quote about Jaco considering frets "speedbumps"? I see what he meant!
Click to expand...

The 387th instrument made by a custom builder at North 105th AVE in some "EN" place in Florida?
 

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