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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Gibson EB-3 FRETLESS Bass Guitar Electric Vintage Rare 60??s / 70??s SG Fret Less

Brisbane, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1799

Wow look at this beast. Fretless monster from I think the 70??s. Not sure if it was made into a fretless, or if that??s stock. Either way. Its such a cool bass.

-11 pounder
-nics and dents everywhere, wear here and there. Belt rash
-extra hole from a once moved strap peg

Ive had this for a few years. Im just not a fretless player, but I always dug this thing. Was in this condition when I originally purchased it. Pots look original

Switch #4 and #1 light ... more

Hohner Bartell Black Widow Fretless Bass Guitar Riverside California 1968 ~ NICE

Spokane, Washington, 992**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1300

Hohner Bartell Black Widow Fretless Bass Guitar Riverside California 1968 ~ NICE Hohner Bartell Black Widow Fretless Bass Guitar Riverside California 1968 ~ NICE
... more

Fender 1978 Vintage Fretless Precision 4str Bass Rosewood Fretboard W / HSC Papers

Tustin, California, 927**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Fender 1978 Vintage Fretless Precision 4str Bass Rosewood Fretboard W / HSC Papers. Condition is Used. Local pickup only.... more

1982 Ibanez Musician MC940 DS Vintage Neck Through Fretless PJ Bass w / Case

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

$2400

Up for sale, a 1982 Ibanez Musician MC940 Fretless bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Produced from 1979-87, the Ibanez Musician basses were known for their top-notch quality, used by artists including Sting, U2??s Adam Clayton, and Fleetwood Mac??s John McVie. The MC940 is the fretless version of the flagship MC924, featuring a full 34" scale length and neck-through construction, boasting a maple / walnut neck and ash body wings ... more

1983 Ibanez Musician MC940 DS Vintage Neck Through Fretless PJ Bass w / Case

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

$2400

Up for sale, a 1983 Ibanez Musician MC940 Fretless bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Produced from 1979-87, the Ibanez Musician basses were known for their top-notch quality, used by artists including Sting, U2??s Adam Clayton, and Fleetwood Mac??s John McVie. The MC940 is the fretless version of the flagship MC924, featuring a a full 34" scale length and neck-through construction, boasting a maple / walnut neck ... more

1970 Fender Precision Bass Fretless Sunburst w / OHSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5895

1970 Fender Precision Bass Fretless Sunburst w / OHSC
This Item Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
The Bass Is In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
All Original Example
Original Alder Body In Sunburst Finish Shows Slight Playwear Throughout Including Marks, Dings And Scratches (See Photos)
Original Grey Bottom P-Bass Pickups
Original Electronics Show Signs Of New Solder Joints
Original Hardware
Original Tortoise Shell Guard
Original Fretless Maple ... more

Rare Vintage 1983 Peavey USA T-20 FL Fretless Bass Guitar W / OHSC Rosewood

Mobile, Alabama, 366**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$900

Please read complete description and carefully look at all photos
Rare Vintage 1983 Peavey T-20 FL Fretless Bass Guitar With Original Hard Case. This is a rare variation of the T-20 as it's fretless and comes with a gorgeous rosewood fretboard. It also has a pretty, semi-gloss sunburst finish. Electronics have been tested and work great. Has some nicks and finish chips around the edges of the body. Has scattered light scratches and tiny nicks on top. Has some buckle rash on back along ... more

*Vintage* Fender Jazz Fretless Bass, Black, Made in Japan (1984-1987) w / Gig Bag

Marietta, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$995

This is a vintage, used instrument - manufacture year determined by serial #E964952. Normal wear and tear consistent with age and use, fully functional, includes gig bag

ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS PICTURED

Thank you for supporting the Gift of Music Foundation! We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation working to democratize access to musical instruments and education to beginning music students. Our Sales Program allows us to support our missions by generating revenue and often ... more

Fender 1979 Vintage Fretless Precision 4str Bass

Brentwood, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3300

Vintage 1979 Fender Fretless 4string Precision Bass!!! W / HSC
Notes from Seller: This bass has been used on a lot of great recordings, professional and indy. Wonderful sounding and playing bass! If you're looking for that classic fretless P bass sound with the vintage tone, this is it! This bass is in great condition considering it's age. It's been very well taken care of. It has the normal wear and tear for a vintage instrument but no major dings or problems. We are committed to selling ... more

Peavey T-40 Fretless Natural 1979 w / extra fretted Peavey Neck

Tullahoma, Tennessee, 373**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

Very cool heavy vintage bass with a great variety of tones it's a beast!
Bass is in overall great condition. Plays very well. Electronics, switches and knobs in great working condition
The frets were professionally removed and filled by original owner. Looks like it would be from the factory. Very smooth. There is a Crack down the middle at the higher frets (see pic) also professionally repaired
I'm including a fretted peavey neck if fretless is not your cup of gin
Includes ... more

1972 Fender Precision Fretless Bass the newest one extant 1 of a kind & Minty !

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

$6495

Check out this really cool & collectible 1972 Fender Precision ??Fretless?? Bass that literally is like new from back in 1972. It has an original bold colored Sunburst finish over an alder body, its very colorful Fretless Rosewood fingerboard is on the white-ist maple neck w / some killer grain & some nice figuring we??ve seen in years. Its also has a minty tortoise pickgard. Its split pickup is super smooth. It??s insane to find one from under the bed ever & for a 53 year old ... more

1972 hohner fretless bass guitar

Kendall, New York, 144**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

The 1972 Hohner Fretless Bass Guitar is a classic piece of musical history. With its 4-string configuration and unique beige body color, this electric bass guitar stands out for its vintage charm and distinctive sound. The fretless design allows for a wide range of tonal possibilities, making it a favorite among bass enthusiasts and professionals alike Crafted with the quality HOHNER is known for, this bass guitar is a testament to the era's musical innovation. It's a versatile instrument that ... more

1976 Fender Precision Bass Fretless Maple Neck | Black Finish, Original Case

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

$2599

1976 Fender Precision Bass Fretless Maple Neck Black Finish, Original Case
Here is a really nice '76 Fender Precision Bass in Black. Fretless maple neck. Interestingly the neck has a "76" serial number but the neck plate also has a late 75 or '76 number. We're guessing that these were either paired at a later date or left the factory this way. Of course you could easily change the serial number plate for one with no serial with no problems. The bass itself is nice and original ... more

"Greco M-6 Special" 6 String Fretless Bass Prototype

Richmond Hill, New York, 114**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1625

Here is a unique instrument. Made in Japan by the Greco company, as far as I know this is either a prototype or the only one ever made, as the exact same bass appears in a 1990 catalog photo. I'm not sure if this was even sold in 1990 or just kept by the original builder for ~ 30 years before it appeared on the online market. This bass would have cost you $1500 in today's dollars, as a one-off custom that's an incredibly good price
For reference, I've been playing Grecos for ~ 10 years and... more

Fender precision bass fretless vintage 1976 Mint - all original - Olympic white

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Embrace the classic feel of the Fender Precision Bass, a 1976 vintage model that has been meticulously preserved in its original Olympic white finish. This fretless electric bass guitar is a treasure for both collectors and musicians alike, offering an authentic experience with its timeless design and exceptional playability Crafted with the high-quality standards that Fender is known for, this piece boasts a sleek white body that provides a sharp contrast to the traditional wood tones. The ... more

1975 Vintage Fender Precision Bass Guitar Fretless w / Natural Finish & HSC

Berkeley, California, 947**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

Nice piece of fairly lightweight three-piece Ash body. Serial number is 634290
There are plenty of small dings and light wear around the edges. Some of the finish has worn off where the arm rests. There is a nice gouge a bit over one inch long on the upper bout on the top
The neck is very clean with no dings or signs of wear. The fingerboard is clean and smooth with very little playing wear. It is currently strung with flatwounds. All parts are original except the bridge cover and ... 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 excellent, 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 ... more

1979 Fender Precision Bass Antigua FRETLESS Maple Neck Vintage 1970's P-Bass

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

$4750

1979 Fender Precision Bass Antigua FRETLESS Maple Neck!
This is a very nice 1979 fender Precision bass In Antigua. The serial number and pots date to 1979, but pickups are 1980 so technically a 1980 with the S9 serial number which is common. S9 went from 1979 to 1982 ish. It's a rare fretless maple neck version. The base is super clean with only a few minor scratches and dings as shown. If not for the little spot on the guard, it would be very close to collector grade. The antigua ... more

1976 Rickenbacker 4001 FL Fretless Jetglo

Verona, Pennsylvania, 151**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2700

An uncommon Rickenbacker 4001FL made in December 1976. Overall a clean bass with some small signs of use. Fully functional truss rods and adjustable action. What a growl, too! The neck is mighty comfortable and conducive to fast movement.

Neck width at nut: 1 64??
Neck width at 12th position: 2 08??
Weight: 9 lbs. 9 5 oz

There is a small cloudy patch in the finish on the back of the body along with a handful of dings closer to the jack plate. Chrome is missing from ... more

Hohner Bartell Semi-Hollow Fretless Bass Black 1960s

Raymond, California, 936**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

The Hohner Bartell Semi-Hollow Fretless Bass Guitar in black is a professional-level electric bass with a semi-hollow body design. This right-handed 4-string bass features a fretless poplar fretboard and neck, suitable for experienced players looking for a unique playing experience. The bass comes with a hard case for safe storage and transport. This vintage model from the 1960s showcases Hohner's quality craftsmanship and is ideal for musicians seeking a distinct sound and aesthetic in ... more

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