Rayman

I’ve always preferred flats, except for rock, where they just don’t punch enough for me…. although, Steve Harris fans will disagree there…. I used to be into bright and zingy tones, Marcus style, but these days I wince at that amount of top end. So I’m trying to strike a happy medium with this fretless.

Hmmm yep…. I’m going to try the TIs, they’re used already, so no harm in trying them for a bit. I feel like they’ll have more tonality about them than the Rotos. If I’m still not sure, there’s a new set of Newtone rounds knocking about here somewhere. It’s going to be a matter of trial and error I think.

So I’m on my (unlined) fretless journey, and every day is a learning curve. A couple of questions for more experienced fretless players…. Musically I want to be able to play a relatively wide range of styles. I much prefer flats generally, but I’m finding the Rotosound Monels currently on the Dean a bit dull, and I’m struggling to get the sliding harmonics on them. I have a set of TIs on the way, which should be brighter, but do you think that rounds might be a better option for what I’m after? Are rounds better for harmonics? Are they a better option for a more versatile fretless sound? The bass itself seems to have a ton of tonal options, it’s active and has lots of high and low cut and boost. Any tips appreciated

Reverend are absolutely fabulous. I have a sunburst Justice, which is an amazing bass. They’re a great company too, Ken Haas is a lovely guy…. Great basses. I’ll be looking for another before too long.

I would…. Lovely thing, and deserves to be set up and played. Very cool bass. Stick some Flatwound strings on there…. perfect.

They’ve tried to redesign to allow better upper fret access. Personally I never go above the 12th fret.

Ok…. 17yrs then 😒

I deleted my account of 20yrs about a year ago. Best thing I ever did.

When I was a kid (70s), my brother, who’s 3yrs older, was a Massive Yes fan. Don’t Kill The Whale was one of the singles he had, and the only song I liked, so I used to play it all the time. Along with “I want to live in a wigwam” by Cat Stephens, which was the B side of Morning Has Broken I think… ANYWAAAYY…..

Yeah that ^ I’m an amateur illustrator, and use a bunch of different inks… I’d be practicing with some “Noodlers” permanent green ink. Very similar colour to that green you have there.

You and me both

I hear you , but actually it’s not as hard as you think, just needs practice, I’m really enjoying it. Years ago, I played a couple of metal gigs with a newly acquired Ibanez GWB35 fretless…. that was a fun experience.

Last few pictures…. A really nicely put together bass, very impressed. I’ve spent the afternoon working through Tony Franklins fretless course…. great fun.

It makes me feel kind of empty?

I left it on overnight and buffed it off this morning. In theory it goes darker the longer you leave it, a maximum of 48hrs, but overnight is plenty.

Yep readily available from Matt at Monty’s…. he even has a video on how to apply it in YT

I think the comment about applying a lot of conditioner earlier is probably as a result of the picture I posted after I’d applied it. With this particular conditioner the idea is to put it on heavily, then buff it all off some hours later. I love the appearance, nice and dark. You’re right about Lemon Oil, it’s overhyped, if you over apply it, it sinks in, then sweats back out again if the wood is saturated …. and, Linseed oil, if it’s over applied can (will) go hard and leave an unpleasant film. Normally, less is more, but in the case of the Monty’s wax, more seems to be more. Wood eh?

It never fails to amaze me…. After 20yrs on here… fabulous bunch Awesome thank you

Cheers mate. Yeah, it was lighter and browner before the wax..... but I like dark fingerboards, ideally ebony, but if not as dark as possible. I'm not keen on the Indian Laural board on my Epiphone Newport.... but I can live with it. Mate, if you have some TIs, I'll take those, they're my favourite. TI flats or D'Addario Tapes are my choice at the moment. I can live with the coloured silks.

Ooh….. if you have a set of tapes…. I’d be very interested. I can’t afford another new set…..

Yep, this one is active, nicely shielded cavity, neat and tidy electronics, sounds absolutely fab. Very very impressive, for a apparently modest instrument, that also cost me a ton. It’s a hundred quid well spent, and who knows where it’ll lead me. Possibly a fretless journey like you maybe….

No mate, it’s gone a lot darker with the wax, which is what I was hoping for, but you can still see the shape of the grain and the variations in the tones close up. Pretty sure these MIK ones were Mahogany/Maple bodies with a 5pce maple/rosewood neck and Pau Ferro fingerboard, with the info I’ve found. Happy to be corrected though

Absolutely marvellous thing this…. It’s turned out beautifully, plays and sounds absolutely lovely, despite the ageing Rotosound Monel flats I had knocking around (I hate coloured silks). Anyway, fabulous bass, very happy with it.

Come up very nice