Linus27

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1321222180' post='1436755'] Pretty sure, yes. I can remember reading interviews with him during his 80's heyday with Paul Young, Go West etc. where he said he used a carbon fibre neck on his stingray and had worn the fingerboard out on it so he had to get another one. I think he went back to the standard wooden neck but there are clips on Youtube where you can see his stingray has an all black neck with what looks like a Modulus or Moses Graphite logo on it. [/quote] Ok cool, thank you.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1321202182' post='1436365'] Pino's fretless Stingray had a carbon fibre neck (actually it had a couple as he managed to wear one out!), so once again this tone will be different to a Stingray fretless with stock neck. [/quote] Is that 100% correct about Pino using a carbon fibre neck as I have never heard that before? Also the vids and piccies I have seen of him playing his Ray looks just like a normal Ray neck.

Oh very difficult question as all your choices are so very different sounding. They say the Wal is the bee's knees although I have never played a fretless one. However, the fretted I did play was very heavy but they should not be a deal breaker. Plus, don't forget, Derek Forbes not only played a fretless Precision, he also played fretless Wal's. Talking to him the other month, he has gone back to Precisions now as he says you just can't beat them. The Stingray should be great if you like that tone. I find mine is a little hard to play and not so natural compared to my other fretless basses. I have a Warwick Streamer Jazzman fretless which really is so easy to play. It sounds very very nice but lacks a little Mwah. Awsome bass though. My best sounding fretless is an ESP Jazz. It is so rich with Mwah and so easy to play. I've not tried a fretless Precision but I am gassing after one. From the ones I have heard, they do sound very very sweet. I think any of the basses on your list will sound great so its probably more a case of playing them and finding out which one you feel comfortable with. My ESP Jazz and Warwick I can gig with with my eyes shut but if i was going to take the Stingray then I would have to put some hours in to get comfortable with the neck. Also, I imagine the Wal a far amount more than the Stingray and Precision. Keep us posted.

Blimey, how did they ever cope back in the 50's, 60's and 70's before this was invented

[quote name='PURPOLARIS' timestamp='1321118391' post='1435589'] We play a mixture of music from Coldplay, Waterboys, Oasis, The Jam, Bowie, Nirvana, Floyd, anything really but mainly rock and indie type songs. We go down well in pubs as we're not an "in your face" type band, the punters can still have a chat as they tap their feet to the music. [/quote] Great stuff, I like that approach

On a side note, I also play in an acoustic band although I play electric bass as I just think it works better for me. I have a Washburn AB10 (in the for sale section) and have recorded with a fretless AB20 and both are excellent so I am sure the Stu Hamm AB40 will be top notch. What sort of music do you do in your acoustic group?

It seems many places do not have them.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1320318600' post='1425170'] Strangely I struggle to tap my foot when sat down [/quote] You would hate my band then. I play in an acoustic band that has no drummer and we play sitting down. So not only am I the beat, I have to tap my foot sitting down and in different repertitions depending on the different parts of the songs

I have now heard back reagrding the availablility of this bass and sadly Fender have confirmed it is discontinued Nice to see the Fender website is kept up to date.

I would say either, anyone who has an original '51 Precision or maybe anyone who has the James Jamerson Re-issue Precision. Either of those would make me happy. As for a bass I know of, then probably Telebass's 51 Precision re-issue which I believe is in yellow.

I contacted my local music shop the other day just to see if it is possible to get these and they think they can but will confirm price and delivery tomorrow. So I will let you know if they are actually available.