Where the Fretless Ps at?

[FunkHead]

There are some very nice fretless P-Bass for sale at this very moment. Some are right here on Talkbass.
I agree that the Tony Franklin is a great bass for the $$. I wouldn't change a thing about mine.
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[micguy]

I'd love to have the talent to play a fretless, but isn't a fretless precision bass a bit of an oxymoron? Not trying to be a troll here. It's just a funny thought to me.

A Precision becomes an Approximation when you remove the frets.

 

[Bassnkeys]

I'd love to have the talent to play a fretless, but isn't a fretless precision bass a bit of an oxymoron? Not trying to be a troll here. It's just a funny thought to me.

Yes, it’s technically an oxymoron — but years before Jaco — Fender first released the fretless P (circa 1970). They waited years to release a fretless J.

 

[bobyoung53]

Check these out: Tony Franklin


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9m5g-FQ7MyQ

 

[Bassnkeys]

I took a Fender Am P-5 body and put on a Warmoth fretless neck. I agree with a prior quote: after Jaco — people probably wanted “that sound” and a bridge pickup will definitely give you more treble and mwah.

The 1970 ad I posted earlier in this thread appealed to those wanting a more “upright” vibe. I use mine with flats for straight ahead Jazz when I gig with a pro pianist and drummer.

Some strings (flats I use) coax more subtle mwah out than others. It’s not a mwah-machine, but it has a really nice sound and can be played with little/no mwah. I’d say it's naturally 90% straight with 10% mwah.

It’s actually been my go-to for Jazz over my Rob Allen Mouse (regarded as the “most” upright-sounding). I like playing a 5 better, and it sounds good (no one notices any subtle tonal differences).

 

[bobyoung53]

Yes, it’s technically an oxymoron — but years before Jaco — Fender first released the fretless P (circa 1970). They waited years to release a fretless J.

View attachment 4973397

I had a real early one, I traded a humbucker Telecaster bass for a '68 CAR P bass in 1977 with a rosewood fretless neck. The player said he traded the fretted neck in for a fretless one when they first came out. I had never even heard of a fretless bass at that point but wanted the bass so I traded.

 

[Matthew_84]

I took a Fender Am P-5 body and put on a Warmoth fretless neck. I agree with a prior quote: after Jaco — people probably wanted “that sound” and a bridge pickup will definitely give you more treble and mwah.

The 1970 ad I posted earlier in this thread appealed to those wanting a more “upright” sound. I use mine with flats for straight ahead Jazz when I gig with a pro pianist and drummer.

Some strings (flats I use) coax more subtle mwah out than others. It’s not a mwah-machine, but it has a really nice sound and can be played with little/no mwah. I’d say it's naturally 90% straight with 10% mwah.

It’s actually been my go-to for Jazz over my Rob Allen Mouse (regarded as the “most” upright-sounding). I like playing a 5 better, and it sounds good (no one notices any subtle tonal differences).

View attachment 4973410

That’s a really nice P, and basically what I’m going for with my eventual Fretless P. Do you mind me asking which flats you have on it and what you like about them?

 

[Bassnkeys]

That’s a really nice P, and basically what I’m going for with my eventual Fretless P. Do you mind me asking which flats you have on it and what you like about them?

Of course! Tried several brands of flats — most choked any sort of mwah out of the bass. I used TI Jazz flats for years on it (have TI’s on most of my basses). Just switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Liking the overall tone slightly better — a mellow tone that just sounds nice, with maybe a touch more mwah than the TI’s. It’s a subtle difference — both brands are really nice.

 

[Matthew_84]

I've been a Fender player (along with others) since I bought my first new P bass in 1970 and I never heard of doing anything other than jamming a screwdriver into the truss rod nut and carving out a little space in the pickguard so it would turn until I got here. I bought a 3/16th allen head truss rod nut for an Am Vintage Hot Rod and it had the same thread as the criss cross nut which I threw away, it's so easy with these Fender allen tools.

I may not have been doing it right at the time (wasn’t loosening the strings or bending the neck back), but after tightening the truss rod on my MIA P Bass a few times, I started rounding off the rounded end on the Allen key I was using. It wasn’t an actual Fender one though, and I would do it differently today (loosen the strings a bit and push the neck a bit)

 

[Matthew_84]

Of course! Tried several brands of flats — most choked any sort of mwah out of the bass. I used TI Jazz flats for years on it (have TI’s on most of my basses). Just switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Liking the overall tone slightly better — a mellow tone that just sounds nice, with maybe a touch more mwah than the TI’s. It’s a subtle difference — both brands are really nice.

Nice! Thank you!

 

[jfiver]

I've seen a couple of these sitting around in some of the smaller local music shops, usually for less than the $600AUD listed here: J&D Luthiers 4-String PB-Style Fretless Electric Bass Guitar (Red)

Didn't hold a candle to an actual TF, but neither were they too shabby for 15% the price of one.

 

[bobyoung53]

I may not have been doing it right at the time (wasn’t loosening the strings or bending the neck back), but after tightening the truss rod on my MIA P Bass a few times, I started rounding off the rounded end on the Allen key I was using. It wasn’t an actual Fender one though, and I would do it differently today (loosen the strings a bit and push the neck a bit)

With the Fender tool, the end is rounded so you can go in at an angle, they're wonderful little things. Yeah, you have to bend the neck back a little.

 

[bobyoung53]

I've seen a couple of these sitting around in some of the smaller local music shops, usually for less than the $600AUD listed here: J&D Luthiers 4-String PB-Style Fretless Electric Bass Guitar (Red)

Didn't hold a candle to an actual TF, but neither were they too shabby for 15% the price of one.

You have to pay over 3 grand for one in australia? Wow! I only paid about 1500 bucks for mine about 6 years ago.

 

[P. Aaron]

Those Tony Franklins are worth the $$$. Smart thing is to buy used if possible.

Or, one can bite hard and go Custom Shop. Might be a better buy if one want a Precision non-signature bass.

 

[chuck3]

The one in the middle is an unlined fretless P from 1978. Great bass but I'd consider selling it if anyone's interested - got to thin the herd. (Which is more than just these three ....)

 

[swarfrat]

The one I just finished (the "Offset skinny necked P") is a Warmoth Jazz neck i stuck on a Squier P for a couple years before i moved it to an ebay body.

If your body/electronics wishes are fairly common, I'd buy a loaded body and a Warmoth neck. You might can get into that for $500.

 

[poochiecheeks]

I put one of those Allparts fretless P necks on my #1 bass and I could not be any happier with it. Make your own fretless P exactly how you want it from parts or Warmoth if need be cause you're not going to find it waiting on Reverb unfortunately.

 

[devnulljp]

That’s beautiful! I love the finish and how well the lines match the board

I got it years ago, already defretted, while looking for a 70s fretless P. The defret meant I could afford it, and it's wonderful.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

When timing sucks.
Me; "I'm at work till midnight. Hate to bother you so late. But... I can come by about 7pm tomorrow. I'll take it.
Seller; "OK great. See you then."
Me; "Thank You."


Seller; Next afternoon. "Sorry, someone came by with the cash."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

 

[P. Aaron]

I have been gassing for a fretless P pretty hard for the last few months, but I haven’t seen anything worthwhile on local classifieds for a long time. I recently ordered a fretted P, and will eventually get a fretless neck for it, but I’m still looking for a fretless P just in case and they just do NOT show up - but of course, fretless Jazzes are plentiful. This leads to two conclusions:

1. Fretless Jazzes are more popular than fretless P basses so more were made; or

2. The logical reason, that the people that get their hands on a fretless P do not give it up, no matter the cost.

What are your thoughts?

Also, if you have experience, pics, or audio/video of fretless Ps, please feel free to share

Was perusing eBay and found 2. One had an added JB pickup in the usual place but this one seems original and in good condition:
Fender precision bass natural 75/76 Fretless - Excellent Condition Vintage AAA+ | eBay