Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Fretless Porn


hillbilly deluxe

Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Very happy that this rare, little bass found its way into my hands; an original 90s Ibanez Affirma Fretless 5 String. It is exceptionally ergonomic either standing or sitting and has a beautiful fretless tone and craftsmanship. Thanks to Tony aka Hellzero for opening my eyes to these very special basses.

DC19C4C5-A602-4EA5-84DC-39352BC7CDAC.jpeg

60EB3C5E-DB86-48B9-B9CC-0E26F654AD7D.jpeg

Edited by chrisbass13
  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 30/03/2021 at 19:07, chrisbass13 said:

Very happy that this rare, little bass found its way into my hands; an original 90s Ibanez Affirma Fretless 5 String. It is exceptionally ergonomic either standing or sitting and has a beautiful fretless tone and craftsmanship. Thanks to Tony aka Hellzero for opening my eyes to these very special basses.

DC19C4C5-A602-4EA5-84DC-39352BC7CDAC.jpeg

60EB3C5E-DB86-48B9-B9CC-0E26F654AD7D.jpeg

I'm rather jealous of your extra string. I have the 4 string version. I wouldn't say Tony introduced me to these basses but I did have to hunt him down, via another very helpful guy in Italy, in order to buy mine. The internet is a wonderful thing...........sometimes.

IMG_3725.JPG

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, chrisbass13 said:

Thats a beautiful 4 string Fretless you got. Just put Thomastik Jazz Flats on my AFR Fretless 5 and it sounds so nice and is so comfortable to play.

Yes, I'm using Thomastiks also. Very good match. The holy grail though, is La Bella White Nylon Copper. They aren't compatible with the piezos because of the nylon, but hopefully this will change soon. Tony is currently testing prototypes of new piezos from the original maker.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Woke up in a great mood today. The sun was shining and I'd had a lovely hour's walk with the dog and my youngest daughter. So I thought I'd set about my fretless with a drill and a Dremel. Replaced the EMG PAX pickup that was in there with a Wilkinson PJ set, stacked V/T V/T pots and a phase switch on the bridge pickup. Used a 10mm bit to remove most of the wood, then the Dremel with a routing bit. No template, just some markings on some tape. Took my time and stayed calm. I had a moment of panic when both V/T controls acted as masters, I'd forgotten the two resistors to isolate the controls :facepalm:. Added those and all is good.
It sounds much bigger than with the EMG, even just this P on its own, and it now has those mids that a fretless really needs...

IMG_8565.JPG

IMG_8566.JPG

Edited by bartelby
  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

@stereoplayer : The two pickups together must have close to no mids at all. Great for double bass like sounds. The pickups position reminds me of my Kramer 450 B. Must be interesting to hear all 3 positions. 🙂

Since it’s wired stereo, I can eq each PU as desired.  There are no lack of tonal options with this bass. It’s exactly what I was looking for when I designed this PU arrangement.  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 9 months later...
9 hours ago, itu said:

A Zon and a Wal? Your third fretless must be from a brand that is written with three letters, like MTD, ACG, TLC, BBC...

Bought the Zon here on bass.chat for a really great price..The seller was very enthusiastic about the sustain and he was right.

It's the best fretless I have ever had, beats the Wal imo...better sustain, faster neck, less "work", very light...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is mine. It's  a Fender Japan Jazz factory u lined Fretless neck with a custom made ash P Bass body which I had properly finished and lacquered. I fitted EMG's to it and it's currently strung with roundwounds just go that added sustain and zing. 
 

I've 2E93AED5-F4A2-47AB-A802-D25A84FB19F5.thumb.jpeg.2aad9d887db951d66838585db670a75e.jpegnot played it much recently so my chops are woeful. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I now own this beauty!!!

pics on the link much better than my crap shots! Hope that is allowable….🙏🏿

https://www.acguitars.co.uk/project/0422-retrob-fretless-5-35/


Alan’s touch is world class….she plays like butter and sounds even smoother…😎
image.thumb.jpeg.f08c51799e97ca6a82b7110b30006163.jpeg

Edited by Bass Wielder
  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...