Clarky Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 (edited) I bought this a week or so ago from Pentode (it has done the rounds on BC, having previously been owned by Happy Jack, Beedster and aj5string as well). Its [s]a '72 [/s] an early/mid '70s fretless Ibanez in Jamerson livery, ie, three-tone sunburst, tortoiseshell scratchplate and rosewood board. Its USP is that it has fret-lines and dots on the edge of the board which give the impression to the player of it being a fretted bass and so help massively with intonation - but to the audience it looks like an unlined rosewood board for full fretless credibility! Thus it is is ideal for a fretless newbie (which is why I got it). I am only selling as I have played it non-stop since I got it and have since decided that I want to take the plunge into fretless in a serious way (I am trying to track down a vintage 70s Fender fretless or a Tony Franklin fretless) For some reason my work PC will not upload photos this morning (even though my attachment area has plenty of memory free). However there is a photo in the link below in my sig, courtesy of Happy Jack (nice shrubbery!). Also here is a previous FS thread (hope that's OK aj5string?) with links to other photos [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=75964&hl=Ibanez+fretless"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...Ibanez+fretless[/url]. For some reason between Jack owning it and it arriving with me the chrome bridge cover and white plastic truss rod cover have gone AWOL - obviously this does not affect the playability but I thought best to mention it. I paid £295 including hard case and delivery and am offering for the same - after all its only been a week! If collected from me in Central London its £275 Edited March 10, 2010 by Clarky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Lovely bass this. I thought it was a '72 but was corrected by Mr Bassassin who pointed out it's not possible to state that with certainty with Ibbys of this era. I think the upshot was it's 'early to mid-70's'. This is a great fretless for a beginner. Why? Because although there are fret markers on the side of the neck - and unlike most FLs at each fret - you still have to place the finger on the board using a combination of visual correction and hearing. Whilst you're learning, the lines are a huge asset, once you've learned, they no longer get in the way. It also prepares you for what happens when you play lined fretless on a poorly lit stage! For those of you who think a fretless Precision wouldn't work (i.e., would prefer a Jazz), think about sticking one of John East's new P-Retros in this and you'd have an extremely versatile and vintage fretless bass for under £500. Clarky, any decisions yet? You know my views..... Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 [quote name='Beedster' post='768926' date='Mar 9 2010, 09:56 AM']Clarky, any decisions yet? You know my views.....[/quote] I have made an offer on a mid-70s fretless - subject to the seller confirming the provenance (ie, age/serial #, not a re-fin, all-original etc) - and await their response Thanks for the comments on the Ibby too, Chris. FWIW, I think it has a decent thick Precision sound without a pre-amp but it would undoubtedly have a much greater variety of sounds if the J-Retro was added Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 This is what it looked like before all these crazy Basschat people got their mitts on it: [url="http://tinypic.com/a/z8zs/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/z8zs/3[/url] This is a seriously good P-bass, a bit heavy but a great player and superb tone. Above all, it's ideal for a fretless newbie looking to learn how to play fretless with confidence. As a direct result of owning this bass for six months, I converted my Lakland Duck Dunn to fretless using the same fret-end system as on the Ibby. Clarky is a faster mover than me ... it took him six days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Bump for the most confidence-inspiring fretless I have laid eyes (and paws) on Its (pricier) replacement arrives this afternoon so this has to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='769019' date='Mar 9 2010, 11:30 AM']....a bit heavy....[/quote] I didn't think so Jack. I used a fretted Stingray in the same session at which I recorded it, and the 'ray was far heavier (and it wasn't pre-EB either). I guess weight is always relative, but I've played far heavier basses. C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 If this is still available, I'll 'ave it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 [quote name='BB2000' post='770387' date='Mar 10 2010, 01:59 PM']If this is still available, I'll 'ave it.[/quote] It is still avaiable, will drop you PM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 [quote name='Clarky' post='770580' date='Mar 10 2010, 04:14 PM']Sold [/quote] Not the first of your ex's to travel John's way Clarkey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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