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Fret-King Esprit


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[quote name='BigRedX' post='319030' date='Oct 31 2008, 01:22 PM']I'm think that Mr _freak is protesting just a bit too much...

Maybe niggling away in the back of his mind is that sneaking suspicion that the Esprit is just that bit cooler than his GBs...[/quote]

You are right.

Any offers for my GBs?

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[quote name='EBS_freak' post='319121' date='Oct 31 2008, 03:23 PM']It's funny that you choose to focus on the Spitfire.[/quote]Not really. My point is that the Esprit will appeal to players who would rather give up playing than own an exotic wood custom. Y'know, T-Bird owners and the like.

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  • 4 weeks later...

I like the styling, at least it's not just a fender/gibson clone. The hardware choices are odd, non adjustable bridge and pickup placement with limited range just kill it. If you put a hipshot supertone bridge and a pair of darkstars on it then i would buy one.

Ped as for the toilet seat have you ever had the lid fall down midstream? Well for those blessed with a longer scale length it prevents nasty chips to the tip of the 'headstock' :)

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[quote name='steve-norris' post='335295' date='Nov 24 2008, 09:24 AM']The hardware choices are odd, non adjustable bridge and pickup placement with limited range just kill it. If you put a hipshot supertone bridge and a pair of darkstars on it then i would buy one.[/quote]

...and if you changed the body and the neck, you are more than half way there to getting a good instrument. :)

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Sorry for rude 1st post, Ill put an intro up soon I promise!

The FretKing designs were originally put together by Patrick Eggle, after he sold the rights to the Eggle name, now looks like his sold it on to Trevor Wilkinson. The basses are variations on his guitar designs all of wich I played were really good instrumets.

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[quote name='steve-norris' post='335295' date='Nov 24 2008, 09:24 AM']Ped as for the toilet seat have you ever had the lid fall down midstream? Well for those blessed with a longer scale length it prevents nasty chips to the tip of the 'headstock' :huh:[/quote]

Hahaha classic. Good stuff Steve! :)

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[quote name='Vroomfondel' post='337665' date='Nov 26 2008, 08:17 PM']Sorry for rude 1st post, Ill put an intro up soon I promise!

The FretKing designs were originally put together by Patrick Eggle, after he sold the rights to the Eggle name, now looks like his sold it on to Trevor Wilkinson. The basses are variations on his guitar designs all of wich I played were really good instrumets.[/quote]

Really? I can see why Pat would want to sell the rights as opposed to actually build the things...

Pat's stuff is really good stuff.

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[quote name='EBS_freak' post='338186' date='Nov 27 2008, 10:42 AM']Really? I can see why Pat would want to sell the rights as opposed to actually build the things...

Pat's stuff is really good stuff.[/quote]

Yes you can find all the backgorund on google. The Trev Wilkinson guitars are exactly same cosmetics as the Eggle FretKings.

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  • 4 months later...
Guest 6feet7

I've actually got one (it had a couple of hundred knocked off as it was a shop demo).
First thing swapped the pickups for Seymour Duncans. Put a Gibson humbucker right up by the neck, swapped one of the tone controls for a rotary switch for pickup selection, got rid of the bridge for through body stringing with tunomatic bridge, added a brass nut and swapped the black pickguard for a white one.
Sounds, plays and looks great now. I wanted a thunderbird but the necks are too prone to breakage so this was the nearest I could get.

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[quote name='6feet7' post='475093' date='Apr 29 2009, 02:08 PM']I've actually got one (it had a couple of hundred knocked off as it was a shop demo).
First thing swapped the pickups for Seymour Duncans. Put a Gibson humbucker right up by the neck, swapped one of the tone controls for a rotary switch for pickup selection, got rid of the bridge for through body stringing with tunomatic bridge, added a brass nut and swapped the black pickguard for a white one.
Sounds, plays and looks great now. I wanted a thunderbird but the necks are too prone to breakage so this was the nearest I could get.[/quote]

Did you not consider replacing the neck and body too?

Edited by EBS_freak
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Guest 6feet7

LOL
I'd rather have had a GUS Bass but couldn't afford one (got 2 of their guitars and had one of their baritones once). I like something that looks different and apart from the thunderbird etc this looks the most different (can't stand yet another fender clone - need a bit of spice in life). Plays like a dream now. Only had favourable comments about it too. I also always customise every guitar and bass I get (why have the same as everyone else)

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[quote name='6feet7' post='475359' date='Apr 29 2009, 06:52 PM']LOL
I'd rather have had a GUS Bass but couldn't afford one (got 2 of their guitars and had one of their baritones once). I like something that looks different and apart from the thunderbird etc this looks the most different (can't stand yet another fender clone - need a bit of spice in life). Plays like a dream now. Only had favourable comments about it too. I also always customise every guitar and bass I get (why have the same as everyone else)[/quote]

A man of taste I see, not only a Gus fan but also a FretKing Esprit Bass owner.

I have 3 Gus G3 basses as well as a G1 guitar as well as an early version of the FretKing Esprit guitar. Having tried the version of the Esprit bass reviewed here I think the upgrades you made are the right ones.

Myself I'm waiting to try the Europa Bass version and then have a custom version made to match my Esprit guitar.

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Guest 6feet7

I got Simon Farmer of GUS guitars to do the alterations for me. As I said I'd love one of his basses but will have to make do with two of his guitars instead. I used to have his G1 10 anniversary silver one (on his website pictures) but Gordon Brown needed some of my money so it had to go. Then got a baritone but I didn't get on with it. The changes Simon has done have really improved it no end.

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6feet7, please ignore EBS_freak, he's just jealous because his only got GBs which are essentially Fenders in posh frocks and seriously lacking in the cool. ;-)

It would be great if you post some photos of your mod'd Esprit Bass in the porn section. Please?

Edited by BigRedX
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[quote name='BigRedX' post='476737' date='May 1 2009, 10:01 AM']6feet7, please ignore EBS_freak, he's just jealous because his only got GBs which are essentially Fenders in posh frocks and seriously lacking in the cool. ;-)

It would be great if you post some photos of your mod'd Esprit Bass in the porn section. Please?[/quote]

Yeah, ignore me. Most people do!

Fenders in posh frocks?? Ha ha.

Yeah, post some pics up in the porn section... I'd be interested in seeing your mods in the flesh!

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