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There's a good example here - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/159670-fs-fbass-ac5-alain-caron-signature-fretless"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/159670-fs-fbass-ac5-alain-caron-signature-fretless[/url]

Thanks for all the feedback, particularly throwoff and observer for Defil and Cheesyguitars. From the machine heads it does indeed look like a Defil which would tie in with where it's being sold from (Poland). Listing of Defil guitars from cheesy here for anyone who's interested - [url="http://www.cheesyguitars.com/guitars_poland.html"]http://www.cheesyguitars.com/guitars_poland.html[/url]. This one is the coolest by far IMO. All I need now is a Thunderbirds tribute band

Unusual retro fretless currently listed on ebay as 'unknown' ... I'm curious and a bit tempted [attachment=93764:unknown bass 3.jpg]

There are some interesting comments about the new American Deluxe on this post - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160543-201011-american-deluxe-fender-ps-and-js-experience/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160543-201011-american-deluxe-fender-ps-and-js-experience/[/url] Fantobass001 comments about the pan pot vs standard VVT layout in the third post down.

If you want something a little more individual how about an ACG? You can't have this one as it's mine [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/237/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/237/[/url]

Warmoth do a 70s pickup position option on their jazz bodies. Don't know of any UK suppliers that offer this. Finding a local luthier to build a body to your spec may be easier.

Yes you're probably right. But I guess the likes of Rob Allen and Joe Veillette we're relatively unknown once. Expensive for sure and definitely not an impulse purchase (for me at any rate!). I'm just curious to know what the word on the street is. If any

Does anyone here have any experience of or views on Kristall basses, specifically the Room 5 model? [url="http://www.kristallbass.com/index.php?id=25&L=1"]http://www.kristallbass.com/index.php?id=25&L=1[/url] Haven't come across them before. Any input welcome... [attachment=92408:Kristall Room 5.jpg]

It should end up looking something like this ... [url="http://imageshack.us/g/171/63021869.jpg/"]http://imageshack.us/g/171/63021869.jpg/[/url]

Some custom wooden guitar knobs here, they might be able to supply what you need - [url="http://www.thgknobs.com/"]http://www.thgknobs.com/[/url]

Haha, oh well, I agree that acousticores definitely fall into the 'unusual' category, great sound though. Agree with TI flats, have those on my piezo ACG and I'm very happy with that combination

I had my Jazz plecked at Chandlers. Massive disappointment. Took it back and had it redone the good old fashioned way. Perfect

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1319213818' post='1411462'] Yes they are, and they sort of roll under your fingers...weird, not helped by the very thin diameters. [/quote] TI Acousticores work extremely well on basses that are designed to take them such as the Rick Turner Renaissance. The RT has a relatively high action and an acoustic style bridge with through body stringing and a steep break angle over the saddle which I think helps. The feel is firm but springy, very much like a classical guitar. Very playable and contribute to the RTs wide dynamic and tonal range. But I can see that they wouldn't work too well on a regular electric bass with a medium/low setup.

Hmm, it's a good question. I've always assumed nickel plating for all hardware on pre CBS Fenders and into the early 70s, but having thumbed through 'The Fender Bass' book I can't see any mention of this or when they introduced chrome ...

I have undersaddle transducers in two of my basses (Rob Allen/Fishman, Rick Turner/Timberline). Both of these have acoustic style wooden bridges with a captured saddle. There are loads of variations on this theme out there but in most cases USTs are installed in an acoustic type bridge/saddle. I can't see how you'd install a UST under a regular electric bass bridge as the saddle(s) need to rest directly against the transducer to get the optimum sound transfer and dynamics. The other option is to use individual piezo saddles such as the Ghost saddles from Graphtech. You can buy the saddles separately or already installed in a Hipshot bridge. Only in a single piece bridge though as far as I'm aware - [url="http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=78"]http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=78[/url]. I have this setup in my ACG Recurve. Both types deliver the characteristic piezo sound - extended frequency range, more three dimensional 'acoustic' sound etc. Both are also very different in terms of installing and setting up. The Hipshot/Ghost option is a simple drop in replacement for an existing bridge with an extra channel routed under the bridge for the piezo cables. The UST option is much more technical and requires a very precisely routed bridge piece with carefully designed geometry of the string anchor to provide the optimum break angle for each string over the saddle in order to get even volume and tone. Both types need a piezo preamp of some sort to allow the high impedance piezo output to be suitable for input to an onboard eq or bass amp input. Getting a good piezo sound can involve a lot of fiddling around and fine tuning but the results are definitely worth it. Opens up a whole new spectrum of bass sounds and playing styles. Go for it and good luck!

Here's the technical stuff if your interested - [url="http://www.liutaiomottola.com/formulae/tension.htm"]http://www.liutaiomottola.com/formulae/tension.htm[/url]

You need one of these - [url="http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/1%7C4%22_Jack_Socket_WDE12"]http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/1%7C4%22_Jack_Socket_WDE12[/url] Easy job to do but does require soldering

The Grand website says' the 1 Nov gig has now been rescheduled for 4 April 2012