Frank Zappa

FlyGuitars After Mahavishnu, you played with Frank Zappa.

Ralphe Armstrong After Mahavishnu, I played with Santana, and then Frank Zappa. We did some recording. I was originally supposed to play with Santana, but John McLaughlin had leeway and talked him out of hiring me. Santana bought my first class airline ticket to go out to San Francisco to record. I also played with Jeff Beck. I played with so many people man, I need to sit down and document.

FlyGuitars What was it like working with Frank?

Ralphe Armstrong He was a disciplinarian, a lot of hard work. Like being in an army. He gave me a lot of freedom, though. He was cool. We did a tribute; me and Napoleon Murphy Brock were together recently; we played a jazz festival last year.

Jean-Luc Ponty: Live. Ralphe describes this album as the "best example of my electric bass playing on record."

Jean-Luc Ponty: Enigmatic Ocean

Jean-Luc Ponty

FlyGuitars You are also known for your work with Jean-Luc Ponty.

Ralphe Armstrong I met Jean-Luc in Mahavishnu, and about two years after it broke up, he started a new band.

FlyGuitars Did Jean-Luc let you play what you wanted, or was everything composed?

Ralphe Armstrong He had things written out but I was able to come up with my own bass parts.

FlyGuitars You did some cutting edge stuff with Jean-Luc Ponty. He certainly gave you a lot of space.

Ralphe Armstrong Wait till you hear my fretless recording from 1998. It’s coming out on my web site and I will have it for sale soon. I am with Harmony Network and it will be for sale soon. Live At The Ford Festival. I just played at New York at Carnegie hall with James Carter, playing string bass.

FlyGuitars You've played with a lot more people than we've talked about so far. Would you care to name a few more?

Ralphe Armstrong I played with Marshall Tucker Band, Louie Bellson, Steve Allen, Elliot Easton of the Cars, Kenny Burrell, Curtis Mayfield - I did his last CD New World Order. I did something with Lenny White, a classical aura with the bow.

FlyGuitars Tell me about your use of effects.

Ralphe Armstrong I was a big fan of Jimi Hendrix; I used this thing called Maestro Bass Brassmaster, but now [I use] Digitech.

The Maestro BB-1 Bass Brassmaster and OB-2 Octave box
In 1976 Ralphe said of the Brassmaster, "It makes the bass sound like a trombone. I love it. It's the only device that I like, other than Maestro's Octave box"

FlyGuitars What kind of strings do you like to use?

Ralphe Armstrong I like half wounds for fretless, with low action. With a fretted bass with funk, I like round wounds

FlyGuitars I read you dropped out of the music scene to raise your family in Detroit, but play in local Detroit music clubs?

Ralphe Armstrong Right now I’m back & traveling. I'm with a new company and am working on a recording project with my self and Narada Michael Walden. We're calling it the “Fusion Reunion”. Were going to have some concerts, and have Wallace Roney do some trumpet and Vernon Reid (from Living Colour) to help too. Vernon came and played at the festival two years ago. Maybe George Duke. We might do something in October.

FlyGuitars What’s your Musical direction today?

Ralphe Armstrong I played with D-12; you know, Eminem'’s group. I did two recordings. I play hip-hop. I'm not into one thing; I’'m like Miles: I got to keep pushing forward. He even had had me wear gaiters & gangster hats and triple OG and a DJ. These young kids- young guys have a fit, seeing me play all kinds of stuff, man.

Fretless bass guitars for sale

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1978 Rickenbacker 4001 Fretless Fireglo Electric Bass Guitar

Phoenix, Arizona, 850**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3499

1978 Rickenbacker 4001 Fretless Fireglo Electric Bass Guitar. Bass has been sitting in collection and is in good playing condition. It has some minor blemishes as a 45 year old bass that has been played would.... more

1986 Ibanez Musician MC2940 Fretless Vintage Active Bass w / Case, Hangtags

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1950

Up for sale, a 1986 Ibanez Musician MC2940 fretless bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtags. Built from 1979-1987, the much-lauded Ibanez Musician basses were known for their use by artists including Sting, Adam Clayton of U2, and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac
Essentially a fretless version of the MC2924, this bass features five-piece maple / walnut neck-through construction with ash body wings and a slab ebony ... more

1976 Rickenbacker 4001 Fretless Bass very rare example that's a beat sweet bass.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4995

This is a very clean & extremely good looking 1976 Rickenbacker 4001 Fretless Bass that has all the right stuff. Its Fireglo finish as yellowed a bit & is worn in w / a cool factor & a ton of Patina. Its fretless fingerboard is nicely figured w / a ton of finish wear from regular use. Its got both its original rhythm & bridge pickups. Plays & intonates quite well. It??s got a rare neck thru of maple w / a single walnut stripe. Its very good overall & ready to use & ... more

1970s Fernandes Burny Bass FPB-70FL Fretless Maple Board Vintage P Bass, Japan

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

Up for sale, a 1970s Fernandes Burny Bass model FPB-70FL in 100% original condition and in perfect working order. This Fernandes fretless bass is a particularly rare model with a unique feature set, capturing the finer points of a Precision Bass with an ash body and a maple neck capped with a bound, un-lined maple fretboard. And with a slender 1 1 / 2" nut width (in-line with a Jazz Bass), this fretless model has a particularly fast, effortless feel
Bright, hyper articulate and punchy, the ... more

1978 Fender Precision "Fretless" Bass a near mint all original w / a thinner neck.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4375

Just in is another incredible 1978 Precision ??Fretless?? Bass w / all the right features in exceptionally clean shape, its has an original Sunburst finish over a nice lightweight Ash body, its Rosewood Neck is a very rare ??A?? spec neck w / a 1 5 / 8?? nut like a Jazz Bass, is dated to 1978 & is super clean, its original Black pickgard pulls this all together making it one of Fender??s best & last great Post-CBS P Basses, its split pickup is super smooth w / that quintessential warm ... more

Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w / Original Gibson Case

Huntington, Indiana, 467**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

For sale is a Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w / Original Gibson Case in Good Condition!
This bass is an absolute monster and sounds incredible! I don't know for sure (I kinda doubt it) that this would have come from the Gibson factory as fretless. However, whoever did the job has done it professionally and it looks great!
The electronics work perfectly and it has that classic "double bass" tone in the first position!
There is some bow in the neck. The truss doesn't ... more

1978 Kramer 450B Fretless Bass

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1498

This is the Kramer 450 B, made in the USA. It is very clean, with a rare black factory finish. The pickups have an early Kramer logo engraved on them. Professionally inspected in our shop. Included original hardshell case.... more

Kramer Stagemaster Imperial Aluminum Neck 4 String Bass Guitar Fretless 1970??s

Boise, Idaho, 837**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

Kramer Stagemaster Imperial Fretless Aluminum Neck Bass

I purchased this a few years ago and never really played it. It was made fretless by a professional luthier before I purchased it and I have it looked at more than one luthier and they have all said the fretless job was done extremely well

It plays beautifully, sounds amazing but I just don??t play it
Two minor blemishes pictured on the bottom back of the body
Brand New Gator Case included

NO ... more

1976 Fender Fretless P Bass Mocha Brown

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

... more

Fender Squier Bronco Fretless Bass Guitar

Wilbraham, Massachusetts, 010**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$222

This is a Squire Bronco 30 inch scale bass that has been converted to a fretless finger board. I became interested in playing fretless bass and tried a 34 inch scale fretless. After a few months of practice and a gig or two in decided to look for a short scale fretless because the 34 inch scale was too big for my reach. I could not find an affordable short scale fretless so I decided to get an affordable fretted short scale and do the fretless conversion myself. I have done enough guitar ... more

1978 Fender Fretless Precision Bass

Livingston, EH12***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1750

1978 Fender Fretless Precision Bass in excellent conditioncomplete with pickup and bridge covers. Recent setup and plays beautifully. Thecase is a ?70??s case and is also in great condition. The scratchplate has beenchanged at some point for a WD one.
... more

1972 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK - FRETLESS - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€1698

1972 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK- made in USA:
* converted to FRETLESS, slots are filled with wood putty
* last 3 frets have some double cuts and are filled a bit UNPRO
* headstock has a few small holes drilled at top end
* finish on back has wear
* neck is straight
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!
... more

1975 Fender Jazz Bass - Modified Fretless

Blakeney,Gloucestershire, GL15***, UNITED KINGDOM

£5000

One for all you Jaco Pastorius fans!
Rare opportunity to buy this amazing CBS era 1975 Fender Jazz bass.
It has been modified somewhat from it's original spec. It started life as a standard fretted bass. At some point in its past possibly in the 80's it's had the original fretboard removed cut and slab boarded. It's now a custom fretless spec. The scratch plate has also been removed along with all the covers / plates. All the holes have been filled and blended. You can still almost see ... more

1976 Fender Precision Bass Fretless USA Sunburst

Montpellier, 34***, FRANCE

€2700

Basse Fender Precision Fretless ?? Made in USA 1976.
Manche Touche Palissandre - Corps Sunburst
Très bon état. Son fantastique
Nous contacter pour envoi avec assurance via transporteur UPS ou DHL
Fender Precision Fretless Bass - Made in USA 1976 Rosewood Handle - Ash Body - SunburstVery good state. Fantastic SoundShipping to Europe, USA and JAPAN - Please contact us via phone call +33 6 522 521 28
Return to the buyer's charge
... more

Aria Pro II Vintage Fretless Bass SB600 1980 with custom hard case

Reading, RG1***, UNITED KINGDOM

£950

Aria Pro II Vintage Fretless Bass SB600 1980 with custom hard case
Very good condition 
This is a passive version of the SB1000 without the electronics. Thru neck. Has a single pick-up, volume and tone controls plus a coil tap switch. This bass has been de-fretted  There are some slight scratches on the back.
The custom hard case is covered in stickers, has some gouges and scratches, and some of the fittings inside the box are loose (though it still holds the bass securely ... more

1976 IBANEZ JB FRETLESS BASS NECK - made in JAPAN

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€285

1976 IBANEZ JB FRETLESS BASS NECK - made in JAPAN :
* frets were pulled
* slots are NOT filled yet
* finish has wear
* 1 tuner bushing is missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more

Fender Fretless Precision Bass, Sunburst, 1972 Style. Upgraded, Mods Available!

Stafford, ST17***, UNITED KINGDOM

£895

A stunning Fender Fretless Precision Bass in 3 Tone Sunburst, in excellent condition. Has to be played to understand how amazing this bass is. Full photos to be uploaded very soon. Grab an early 70??s vintage looking bass for about a quarter of the price, which plays like a dream. These came in Sunburst with a Rosewood fretboard as standard (Original Fender catalogue page of their Fretless P bass found in last picture), and this version is based on an early 1972 model with a modern twist. In ... more

1978 FENDER PRECISION BASS MAPLE NECK - FRETLESS - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€1995

1978 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK - made in USA :
* FRETLESS
* all maple neck with skunk stripe on back, super rare
* finish has a few dings & chips=check pic 9
* fingerboard is clean
* neck is straight
* brass nut installed
* original chrome tuners are included
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more

LIBERATORE FRETLESS BASS: 1980 - CUSTOM & RARE W / CASE

Kirkland, Quebec, H9J***, CANADA

$2595

LIBERATORE FRETLESS BASS: 1980 CUSTOM & RARE W / CASE
1980 fretless bass hand made by luthier Mauro Liberatore. Only 4 like this exist. Fast action neck. Active and passive. EMG pick-up, volume and tone. BADASS II Bass Bridge with brass saddles. Brass Nut. Grover tuning Keys.
Very good condition, plays excellent.
Back plate hand signed with his Logo "L " .
Note wear n tear as shown in pics and a few tears on the case also
Comes with heavy duty metal framed carrying case ... more

Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976

Balanod, 39***, FRANCE

€2550

Superbe basse Fretless Gibson "The Ripper" L-9-SF Black, touche ébène, en très bon état. ~ 1976Configuration d'origine passive avec 2 micros humbuckers Bill Lawrence d'origine, sélecteur 4 positions d'origine, réglages Volume, Treble et Tone. Potentiomètres "CTS" et condensateurs "TAD Mustard" neufs. Chevalet d'origine avec pontets laiton réglables en hauteur individuellement. Etui d'origine usagé inclus
... more

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