Look What UPS Delivered..........

[drTStingray]

You guys will have to excuse my excitement but I bought this 1993 Stingray fretless on Ebay - I couldn't believe it when I opened the package - the neck is highly figured birds eye maple and the bass sounds incredible. I tried it for a while at a gig on Saturday - playing exactly in tune is quite a challenge but when you do it sounds great

 

[AtomicPunk]

Great looking bass, and no need to try and contain your excitement, that's what New Bass Day is all about! Let that excitement out!

 

[GreyDad]

Gorgeous - just needs a black p/g and it will be perfect! imho of course

New Bass Days are great aren't they?

 

[Basscake]

Nice one!

G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.G.A.S.

I keep telling myself that I'm rather talentless when it comes to fretless. That may be true but part of the truth is that my current F***** J***bass fretless doesn't appeal me anymore. So I don't spend any time practicing.

 

[Hellboy]

Congrats. Great bass. And fretless is good fun!

//J

 

[Cat'sDaddy]

Great bass! I scored a '95 fretless last year. It too has a beautiful bird's eye neck--I would include a picture, but am not sure how to do it. Anyway, I put Slinkies on it, and decided to try using the mutes (I know this might sound crazy--why use round wounds if you're gonna use the mutes) but I LOVE the resulting tone! Not a lot of pressure, just a little. The result is an upright-like thump that still has the definition and complex tone of roundwound strings. This really sounds great in the 50's/60's band I play with. The bridge has 'em, why not try 'em--you can always crank 'em back down if you don't like it, or are in a situation where you want more mwah!

 

[Cat'sDaddy]

By the way, It might help your intonation on the fretless to try upright bass technique, if you don't already. I mean, instead of one finger per fret in the first position, try putting your first finger where the first fret would be, second finger where the second fret would be, and FOURTH finger where the third fret would be. The third finger presses down on the string as well (as do index and middle), but doesn't actually fret a note. This helps the hand stay more relaxed and can make fingering more precise. you can go back to one finger per fret as the "frets" get closer together up the neck. Hope this helps!

 

[five7]

What a beauty! Take the advice of Greydad and Cat'sDaddy! And practice, practice and practice. You will get it.

 

[jlepre]

Is it my eyes, or is that one solid piece body?

Congrats on a GREAT find!

 

[JimB52]

That is a beauty, although that long blank plank is a bit intimidating.

 

[drTStingray]

Thanks for the kind words guys. The 50's band I play in have a great sense of humour - they called two songs in the set with bass breaks so in at the deep-end I guess - playing in tune is hard above 12th fret at present but I'm getting there BP's remark about fretless players' intonation often making him feel sea-sick rings in my ears

Cat's Daddy - I will try the method you mentioned - AND I'm v pleased to hear there's at least one other person using a 'Ray in a 50s band!

Jlepre - Not sure about the body - the back looks like one piece but the front looks like there might be a joint above the pickguard the whole length of the body. I also have to confess that this bass is reason I didn't buy your fretless Bongo - sorry about that.

Gorgeous - just needs a black p/g and it will be perfect! imho of course

New Bass Days are great aren't they?

Yes they are Neil - can't beat em eh

The p/g is the original, in matte white with black screws (the seller enclosed all the original documents including the EB spec chart and factory quality check list - there is a black and white pic of an SR4 with white p/g and either blueburst or sunburst finish on the SR4 page) - all that said I've got access to a black one which i'll try!

This fretless business is like learning bass all over again and it really makes you use your ears more - which must be a good discipline! Happy days eh.

 

[GreyDad]

I love fretless, I must play more.

Unlined is v. challenging though, but so cool when you can do it well

Pls post pics when nu p/g is on

 

[jlepre]

Jlepre - Not sure about the body - the back looks like one piece but the front looks like there might be a joint above the pickguard the whole length of the body. I also have to confess that this bass is reason I didn't buy your fretless Bongo - sorry about that.

That's OK. Plus mine had that EXTRA string to worry about. It should be sold this Friday anyway, so everyone wins in the end

I don't think the body and be one piece on just the back can it?

 

[drTStingray]

That's OK. Plus mine had that EXTRA string to worry about. It should be sold this Friday anyway, so everyone wins in the end

Great news - glad to hear it. 5 strings must be quite a challenge on a fretless - and a piezo as well just to add even more sound dimension

I don't think the body and be one piece on just the back can it?

No I agree. I think it's one piece - or if there is a join it has incredibly well matched wood.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Honeyburst always looks amazing on a fretless. Good find!!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

whatwhatwhatwhat?!?!?!?!?!?!

That thing looks BRAND NEW!!!

That is a thing of beauty. Wish I still had my '94 natural fretless...