Fretless Bass Forum = Tasty

[Rickenhands]

Greetings!

This is my first post, as I just became a member yesterday. I've been playing bass for 27 years, 24 of them fretless only. Needless to say, I was geeked to find this forum. For the last 10 years, I've owned only one bass - my custom 5-string fretless Benavente. In the last year, I got the hankering to get back into a good 'ol 4-string fretted.

My earliest rock idols were Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, John Deacon, etc... Of course, the former 3 are responsible for my Ric obsession. I used to draw pictures of Geddy's 4001 when I was a kid in school. I've always dreamed of owning a Ric. So, two weeks ago, I became the proud owner of a MID 4003 (fretted). I've been playing it constantly, and I'm so happy to have her.

However, after reading posts from all you fellow fretless freaks, and also after flipping out over how beautifully this Ric plays, I've now a serious hankering to get my grubby hands on a fretless 4003. Is anyone aware if Ric will make a fingerboard without inlays (dot or otherwise)?

Thanks in advance for any input. Don't get me wrong, the inlays are just fine, and I'm all over it. I'm simply curious. And if anyone's interested, you can see pictures of my new Ric using the below link (there's also a couple pictures of my Benavente fretless).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47530497@N04/sets/

I look forward to adding a 4003 FL to the family soon!

Peace.

[jimk]

Welcome to the forum, John. Glad to have you here.
JimK

[kiramdear]

Hi, John, and welcome! I enjoyed seeing your photos.

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, John. I've also enjoyed seeing your pictures.
Glad you dig the fretless forum. I look forward to reading about your experiences and thoughts about playing fretless bass as well as fretted bass.

[Rickenhands]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've really enjoyed reading the forum--I've only scratched the surface. What a wealth of knowledge--thank you all.

[legato]

Welcome John!

[cjj]

Welcome to the fretless forum too! I'm pretty new to fretless, so any info from an experienced player is always welcome in my book!

[Rickenhands]

Welcome to the fretless forum too! I'm pretty new to fretless, so any info from an experienced player is always welcome in my book!

Thanks, CJJ! I'm always game to talk fretless, so hit me up anytime.

[FretlessOnly]

What do you think about fretlines on FL basses?

[cjj]

... and do you use training wheels?

[jps]

Welcome, John!

I have been playing fretless since the mid '70s, though not exclusively.

At the moment I do not have a Rick fretless bass, but I do have a Rick Turner, a Zon, and soon to be delivered, a Martin Keith; the latter two are 5 string basses. I did own this beauty, at one time.

[Rickenhands]

What do you think about fretlines on FL basses?

I see no point in fretlines and in fact find them ugly (please, no offense intended to anyone with fretlines on their fretless). Check out my pics from the link above, and you'll notice a beautifully clean ebony fingerboard on my Benavente. Other woods are: Body - swamp ash, Top - Flame Maple, Veneer - Walnut. It has an 11-piece neck made of bubinga, paduck (sp?), mahogany, maple, and walnut. I'll take a pic of the neck and add it to the others - it's very nice. While I have side dot inlays, I prefer a fingerboard void of any inlays. That said, the Ric is a VERY classy fretless, in my view. And I MUST have one.

Peace and thanks to all!