The Guitar Player's Resource
Picture this: you're the bass player in a power trio with Jimmy Page, and you need to fill massive sonic space without getting in the way. Tony Franklin figured out that a fretless bass could provide the melodic fluidity of a lead instrument while still anchoring the rhythm section. That smooth, singing tone that cuts through heavy guitar without fighting for frequency space - it's the perfect solution for players who understand that bass doesn't have to mean "background." The question is: are you willing to step outside traditional bass boundaries?
Do you ever wonder if Leo Fender knew he was creating the template for every electric bass that followed? When he built the world's first electric bass in 1951, he solved a fundamental problem - but Tony Franklin understood that even near-perfect designs can be improved.
Franklin wanted the singing, vocal quality of a fretless bass plus expanded tonal range from an extra pickup. Instead of settling for limitations, he worked with Fender to create exactly what his playing demanded. That solid alder body gives you resonant tone without the back-breaking weight that kills your performance after three hours on stage. The Hipshot Bass Xtender lets you drop to D tuning instantly - no retuning between songs.
Here's where Franklin made smart choices: that maple neck with modern C shape balances perfectly, while the unfinished ebony fingerboard connects directly to upright bass tradition. Leo Fender didn't know guitars weren't "supposed" to have maple necks, so he ignored convention and created a trademark. Franklin took the same approach with that ebony fingerboard - functionality over fashion.
The pickup combination tells the real story. The upgraded American Series Precision pickup handles the fundamental low-end power, while Franklin's signature Jazz pickup with ceramic magnets expands your tonal palette from vintage to modern. Two simple controls - master volume and tone - keep you focused on playing instead of knob-twisting.
The lesson? When standard equipment doesn't serve your vision, don't compromise - evolve it.
Number of Strings: 4
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
Body Shape: Tony Franklin Precision Bass
Body Material: Select Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocelluose Lacquer
Color: Lake Placid Blue
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Shape: Modern C
Radius: 9.5"
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Number of Frets: Fretless
Scale Length: 34"
Nut Width: 1.625"
Nut Material: Synthetic Bone
Bridge/Tailpiece: 4-Saddle American Vintage Bass Single-groove Barrel Saddles
Tuners: Fender '70s Vintage-style Stamped Open-gear
Middle Pickup: Tony Franklin American Precision Split Single-coil
Bridge Pickup: Tony Franklin Jazz Single-coil
Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
