Bongo 6 Update!

[Eggman]

Buy a Bongo 6 fretless and if you don't like the sound have a luthier put an ebony board on it.

 

[Bassman_1980]

So many variables that you aren't taking into consideration...besides the fretboard. Give Pino an EBMM with a Pau Ferro fretboard and you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

well, not writing down other variables doesn't mean that i didn't consider those

for a start Pino uses Rotosound swingbass strings (.040 - .095) on his fretless (who didn't back then )

and trace elliot amps (AH 500X)

and when you give Pino a Pau ferro fretless there certainly would be a difference; in tone character to be exactly

the same way an ash body gives a different tone character than an alder body, no matter who's playing it

even when you look at Fender basses: there are fretted jazzbasses with a rosewood fretboard, but also jazzbasses with a pao ferro board, and those 2 also sound completely different and react completely different to your way of playing

oh well, perhaps i better start looking for an fretless pre-EB stingray, those seem to have ebony boards....

 

[Bassman_1980]

Yeah, no offense, but I think Pino's hands probably have a lot more to do with his sound than the fretboard wood. There's also the small matter of strings, amps, and whatever else was in the signal chain on the recordings you love. Focusing on ebony vs. pao ferro is like missing the forest by focusing on one particular tree. That said, if you want a fretless with an ebony board, there are plenty of manufacturers who will gladly make you one. If you love the Stingray body and electronics, you can buy a fretless neck with an ebony board from another manufacturer and switch it out.

EB has decided that they prefer pao ferro for their fretless boards, and most fretless players here seem fine with that. If you want something else, vote with your wallet.

i mainly explained most points in my reaction below

but yes, ofcourse Pino's hands matter a lot, but that counts for every bassplayer, but that doesn't mean that the spec's of their equipment doesn't matter, but also this i have mainly explained in my reaction below

on the side of usage of effects i do hear some chorus on the fretless bass sound from Pino here and there

and yes, i adore the sound of Musicman!
but i'm still looking for a good and kind of affordable fretless 6-string that has at least an ebony board and HH pickup and piezo bridge

and the other bass brand i adore when it comes to fretless 6-string: F-bass AC 6
and these are almost perfect: no HH pickup but just one humbucker, and so
expensive!

$ 6899,- !!!

 

[Bassman_1980]

Buy a Bongo 6 fretless and if you don't like the sound have a luthier put an ebony board on it.

well i don't know if a luthier will be able to remove a fretboard
without creating to much damage....

but i think i may email a luthier on the options on that one!

 

[mynan]

and when you give Pino a Pau ferro fretless there certainly would be a difference; in tone character to be exactly

I doubt that you could tell the difference...especially in a live situation. Same player + the only variable being the neck wood = not enough of a difference to make a difference...especially since it's just a top on a maple neck.

the same way an ash body gives a different tone character than an alder body, no matter who's playing it

The same could be said about two different pieces of ash. IMO, body wood makes a much bigger difference than a fretboard could ever make.

 

[Bassman_1980]

I doubt that you could tell the difference...especially in a live situation. Same player + the only variable being the neck wood = not enough of a difference to make a difference...especially since it's just a top on a maple neck.



The same could be said about two different pieces of ash. IMO, body wood makes a much bigger difference than a fretboard could ever make.

well then there's also a big difference between the ears of the person's that listen to music, and i personally most certainly hear a difference in fretboard wood, especially with fretless

but i'm getting a little tired and irritated from needing to specify my opion on fretless fretboards over and over again

 

[MingusBASS]

but i'm getting a little tired and irritated from needing to specify my opion on fretless fretboards over and over again

You could stop replying. That might be less irritating for all of us.