EBMM fretless with lines and dots??

[TSanders]

Seen quite a few EB fretless basses, both lined and unlined, but nver any with dots. Is this original, or an aftermarket defret??
Seller states is a factory fretless.

fretless StingRay 5 on eBay

 

[bovinehost]

If anything's aftermarket, it's those dots.

 

[jongitarz]

Spot on Jack! It started life as a lined fretless. Good call!

 

[Mobay45]

I saw that one yesterday and thought it looked awfully strange.

 

[TSanders]

I like the look of a lined fretless, but those dots arent pleasing to my eyes.

 

[smallequestrian]

This is my Ray5 lined and it has dots. However the dots on mine are in their natural position.

So are you guys saying that lined EBMM's don't have dots? and if so does that mean this one was a defret? Cause when I bought this one I asked if it had been a defret and was told that it was not.

 

[jongitarz]

It was either a de fret, or the dots were added. Post the S/N and I will check it for you.

Jon

 

[smallequestrian]

It was either a de fret, or the dots were added. Post the S/N and I will check it for you.

Thanks Jon,
Even thought I think it plays wonderfully, I must admit I will be quite annoyed if I fine out it was a defret. I specifically asked Brian at the time of purchase if it was a defret or not and he told me it was originial. I am not sure I would have payed as much as I did if I had known. The reason I asked in the first place was because of some irregularities on the lines. I will post the serial number when I get off work today, I have been meaning to do that anyway.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

yep, them dots sure is funky. They're like in the wrong place and stuff ;D

 

[0557]

It doesn't look like a pau ferro fingerboard.

 

[jongitarz]

Faux Ferro

 

[smallequestrian]

Serial Number E18015 I have been meaning to get the date on this anyway. Yeah, I was wondering when EB went to the Pau Ferro on the fingerboard, seeing as how the serial number puts this around 2000. It looks to me like a rosewood board. This is really going to annoy me.

 

[TheDirtyMoocher]

i wouldnt be too mad about it...i took the frets out of my olp with an iron, an xacto knife, and a cup of water and it actually plays pretty well...so if it was done with any more expertise than i did mine i think it should play just as well as any stock fretless...then again it is nice to know these things whey you buy a bass

 

[jongitarz]

I will check the S/N tomorrow.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I have a feeling you're not going to be happy when Jon gets back to you with build information. If you don't mind me asking, from where did you buy this bass? Was it recent enough that you could ask for your money back or a refund of some sort?

 

[jongitarz]

Serial Number E18015 I have been meaning to get the date on this anyway. Yeah, I was wondering when EB went to the Pau Ferro on the fingerboard, seeing as how the serial number puts this around 2000. It looks to me like a rosewood board. This is really going to annoy me.

OK....I checked, and it was de-fretted. It left the factory on 9/1/00 with frets.

 

[smallequestrian]

I have a feeling you're not going to be happy when Jon gets back to you with build information. If you don't mind me asking, from where did you buy this bass? Was it recent enough that you could ask for your money back or a refund of some sort?

I bought it at the Dallas Guitar Show in April from Brian Barret of the Low End. You can still see the pics on the website. I am annoyed for a couple of reasons. First of all I outright asked if it had been a defret upon noticing some cosmetic irregularities with the fretline veneers. When he said it was factory, I mentally chalked the irregularities up to player wear. Jack and Larry were actually there when I bought it, I am not sure if they heard me ask that question though. I am not sure if I would have been as quick to buy it had I known that. While the price may still have been fair, at the time it was a couple hundred more than I was wanting to spend. Knowing this I probably would have not made the purchase.

The second annoyance is not really anyones fault. Once I got home I took the bass out of the case for the first time and and what had been a pristine 4.5 year old SR5 had a crack in the finish underneath the bridge on a line that continues around to the back a little bit. Apparently the finish cracked in the case between the time I put it in my car and got to my apartment 30 minutes later. I know dings and cosmetics issue happen over time, however I am not a gigging musician and my instruments rarely leave the house, I did not expect that to happen through no fault of my own.

What does this all mean, I am not sure. I like buying used beacause you can normally sell it for what you pay for it, but with the crack in the finish I don't think this will be possible. Rest assured another EB fretless would be my first choice. I also find myself not at home with a 5 string. Don't get me wrong, this bass sounds great and plays great, and I have enjoyed playing it, but my buyer happiness has been slowly going down from the moment I took it out of the case. And this is not how I want to feel about a quality instrument from high quality people. Sorry if this comes off as whining.

 

[scottbass71]

Not whining mate I too wouldn't be happy after this post I had to go home and check my fretless - No dots!!

 

[jongitarz]

I think you have good reason to be pissed. Unless the seller was just clueless, the bass was misrepresented.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>Unless the seller was just clueless, the bass was misrepresented.

Agree.

BTW, what's the finish called?