Beedster Posted November 18, 2022 Share Posted November 18, 2022 (edited) This is a recent purchase from Bass Direct that is probably not going to work out for me either live or in the studio, which is a little disappointing as it's a stunning instrument, with build quality, finish, and playability at or above that of Fender Custom Shop or of a very good luthier (which of course Sims are). If you've ever seen a refinish by Martin, you'll know just how good Enfield finishes are, and the neck really sits at the interface of art and engineering, it's lovely. And of course, it has the amazing quad PUPs! But I feel about this much as I did about my fretless Wal 12 years back, an outstanding instrument on every level, just not quite the instrument for me. Having said that, I play it a lot and enjoy doing so, so I'm not going to get stressed if it doesn't sell (in fact I was going to try it as a fretted instrument for a while before I let it go but I have a fretted bass that meets all my needs so that would probably only have delayed the inevitable). It has the SIMs neck LEDs which I've yet to use as, embarrassingly, I couldn't work out how to turn them on, and a rather easy to remove magnetic cavity cover which makes battery replacement very simple. I'd prefer collection from just outside Whitstable, Kent, but can post also Original listing is at https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Enfield_Fusion_Fretless.html Pics are from the Bass Direct listing but are accurate and current 👍 Edited April 10, 2023 by Beedster 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted November 20, 2022 Share Posted November 20, 2022 That’s a lovely bass. GLWTS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 21, 2022 Author Share Posted November 21, 2022 19 hours ago, alembic1989 said: That’s a lovely bass. GLWTS Thanks mate, I'm still wondering whether to try it with a fretted neck, I suspect the differences between the PUP options would be far more marked, and I'm quite excited about the idea of a fretted bass that does good impressions of Jazz, Precision and Stingray, especially with a nice set of flats on board.... 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 Enfield are amazing and unique basses; some basses get described as “a Swiss Army knife of a bass”, but these definitely are. I acquired an Enfield Avenger 4 (essentially a super-Jazz bass, like the OP) on a bit of a whim this year - the sheer permutation of tonal options available from the super-quads and preamp initially completely made my head spin, but it’s actually really easy to use at a very basic level. Neck pickup switched to “P” sounds like the best Precision you’ve ever heard, both pickups switch to “J” (single coil) sound like the best scooped ‘70’s Jazz bass you ever heard. And then there’s all the other possibilities..... The craftsmanship and finish on Simms gear is always top notch and flawless; not sure if this has the Glockenklang preamp with passive option that the Avenger has, but if so, its a beautiful thing. If you’re looking for a fretless with a vintage vibe that does modern hi-if to vintage mwah, I don’t think you could do better than this, nor a better fella to to deal with........😎. Bump and GLWTS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 On 21/11/2022 at 15:56, Beedster said: Thanks mate, I'm still wondering whether to try it with a fretted neck, I suspect the differences between the PUP options would be far more marked, and I'm quite excited about the idea of a fretted bass that does good impressions of Jazz, Precision and Stingray, especially with a nice set of flats on board.... 🤔 Naa..don’t do that man…I’ve never seen a fretless one…I do understand what you’re saying about it’s versatility though. just my tuppence worth… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 One of the pots should be a push-pull to activate the side Led's. I guess it's a passive bass, right ? Too bad it's so heavy (for me) at 4.6 kilos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 On 23/11/2022 at 21:04, Shaggy said: Enfield are amazing and unique basses; some basses get described as “a Swiss Army knife of a bass”, but these definitely are. I acquired an Enfield Avenger 4 (essentially a super-Jazz bass, like the OP) on a bit of a whim this year - the sheer permutation of tonal options available from the super-quads and preamp initially completely made my head spin, but it’s actually really easy to use at a very basic level. Neck pickup switched to “P” sounds like the best Precision you’ve ever heard, both pickups switch to “J” (single coil) sound like the best scooped ‘70’s Jazz bass you ever heard. And then there’s all the other possibilities..... The craftsmanship and finish on Simms gear is always top notch and flawless; not sure if this has the Glockenklang preamp with passive option that the Avenger has, but if so, its a beautiful thing. If you’re looking for a fretless with a vintage vibe that does modern hi-if to vintage mwah, I don’t think you could do better than this, nor a better fella to to deal with........😎. Bump and GLWTS Thanks Greg, can't disagree with any of the above mate! I'm still thinking that the versatility is perhaps going to shone more with a fretted neck, but I'm going to try it fretless at a rehearsal next week, I suspect I might come away feeling slightly more encouraged to be honest. It's often that case that playing solo doesn't allow an instrument to really show it's true potential 👍 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 On 23/11/2022 at 21:44, alembic1989 said: Naa..don’t do that man…I’ve never seen a fretless one…I do understand what you’re saying about it’s versatility though. just my tuppence worth… Ha, yes I get you mate, as above I'm going to give it a run for it's money next weekend and see how it goes 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 (edited) On 24/11/2022 at 09:08, Hellzero said: One of the pots should be a push-pull to activate the side Led's. I guess it's a passive bass, right ? Too bad it's so heavy (for me) at 4.6 kilos. Thanks for the info, that's one option i didn't think of! Yes, passive 👍 Edited February 26, 2023 by Beedster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 Mmm, still can't get the LEDs to work so have started a separate thread here Any thoughts most welcome Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 (edited) Moved! Edited November 28, 2022 by three Wrong thread! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 (edited) Moved again! Edited November 28, 2022 by three 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 LEDs now working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 On 27/11/2022 at 12:51, Beedster said: Thanks Greg, can't disagree with any of the above mate! I'm still thinking that the versatility is perhaps going to shone more with a fretted neck, but I'm going to try it fretless at a rehearsal next week, I suspect I might come away feeling slightly more encouraged to be honest. It's often that case that playing solo doesn't allow an instrument to really show it's true potential 👍 And given that the LEDs are hardwired to the body, it looks like this is staying fretless whatever I might like to try 🤔 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 On 29/11/2022 at 07:54, Beedster said: And given that the LEDs are hardwired to the body, it looks like this is staying fretless whatever I might like to try 🤔 Probably a good thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 Have to say this is growing on me (which is not good for my bank balance), the LEDs do wonders for intonation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 7, 2023 Author Share Posted January 7, 2023 So, I put a fretted neck on this (thanks @AndyTravis and wow, what a difference. i'm going to hang onto this bass for a while (I'll start a new thread about it as it's been an interesting journey) 👍 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 This has grown on me to the point that I'm going to keep it for the time being, while I knew that the build quality and finish were of extremely high quality the moment I picked it up (which knowing his work is nothing less than I'd expect from Martin Simms), tonally I've realised that it's a much better instrument than I gave it credit for. I'm going to install a Badass II and J-Retro also, which on my previous experience with fretless instruments can both be game-changers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 26, 2023 Author Share Posted February 26, 2023 I'm putting this back up for sale as I'm about to start work converting an outbuilding into a music room which, having spoken to the architect in the week, is going to cost a lot more than we'd originally estimated. I'm also getting back my old fretless Jazz with Precision neck which make it a lot easier to let this go. I've dropped the price by £250 for two reasons, firstly because I'd like to get started on the work, and secondly to reflect the fact that the bass is passive, albeit highly versatile (it's still running the SIMS Quad pickups and LEDs, but the tone circuit is a standard passive Jazz circuit. Note I have no hard case for this either so I would prefer collection or a meet up in SE or London, although I can also pack very well in a double boxed outer shell for a courier. No trades thank you, cold hard cash is what's required at present 👍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 In response to a couple of questions here's some infor re the PUPs. Essentially you are able to use any combination of Jazz, Precision, and MM PUPs (well, any combination of those three variants in either front or back position). It is a VERY versatile instrument https://www.sims.guitars/pickups/super-quad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 4, 2023 Author Share Posted March 4, 2023 Had the bridge off today to install a Badass, this is how screw holes should be drilled. I mean everything about Sims work is outstanding, but these are a work of art (should probably have cleaned the area under the bridge before I took the photos but you get the general idea I'm sure 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 4, 2023 Author Share Posted March 4, 2023 Temporarily sporting a Badass, a J-Retro and a very very fast MIJ 70's RI neck, in every possible way a Super Jazz (and Precision and 'Ray). There's very few bass tones that can't be squeezed out of this thing one way of another 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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