Unknown, Unlined, Unmarked Fretless Bass!

I got this bass in a trade the other day.



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?

 

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.

 

There was some writing on the neck pocket and on the heel...I didn't have the foresight to photograph it or write it down. I'll have to take the neck off again. Results forthcoming...meanwhile, Happy New Year! 2015, the year of the BASS.

 

OK, got the neck off today and this is what I found:

Terrible photo, I know...for those with poor vision, it says "N 105 EN-FL"...

...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!

 

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.

 

So would that mean the body is swamp ash? Alligator maple neck?

How does "Born on the Bayou" sound on a fretless?