The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: ack1961 on January 07, 2011, 03:08:21 PM

Title: Fret King?
Post by: ack1961 on January 07, 2011, 03:08:21 PM
Anyone here have any experience with Fret King?
I kinda like the body on this one - kinda has an Explorer/T-bird look to it.

http://www.stringexpress.co.uk/guitars/FretKingSpec/Esprit4_spec.htm
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Pilgrim on January 07, 2011, 05:02:47 PM
Looks cool.  I see as much Gretsch BillyBo as anything in that!
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Chris P. on January 08, 2011, 05:49:26 AM
I reviewed the strange 3-pick up one.
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Highlander on January 08, 2011, 07:13:38 AM
I've seen postings about them but don't know of any of the crew that owns one... never played one...

Take two Thunderbirds, one an NR... cut them in half and glue them back together, then you have a Fretking...? (imho)
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: uwe on January 08, 2011, 06:44:02 PM
The UK is an island which bathes in certain archaicisms. Left lane driving, imperial measurements and the British Pound Sterling come to mind. But even there, it's 2011 and not 1961 and a bass bridge should be intonateable. Nuff said.
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Hornisse on January 08, 2011, 08:57:49 PM
The shape reminds me of those Hendrick guitars that came out in the early 1980's.

(http://i55.tinypic.com/w02qmc.jpg)
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: jumbodbassman on January 08, 2011, 10:14:53 PM
T But even there, it's 2011 and not 1961 and a bass bridge should be intonateable. Nuff said.

looks similar to the dano bridges....from the 60's (and 90's and 2009)  But they have an RI excuse
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Dave W on January 08, 2011, 11:11:20 PM
Fret King is a Trevor Wilkinson product and IIRC he started out making replacement bridges and tuners, funny that this one should have a fixed type bridge. I thought maybe a closeup would show some adjustability, but this review (http://bassguitarmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=37:bassguitars&id=53:fret-king-blue-label-esprit-4-string-bass) says there's no compensation adjustment.

It may be UK-designed but it's Korean-made.
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Iome on January 09, 2011, 02:47:27 AM
Well the bridge have had an improvement, i remember the firs Fretkings had a stoptail as bridge....


http://www.fret-king.com/Sexy%20Images/Green%20Sexy/Europa-Bass.jpg (http://www.fret-king.com/Sexy%20Images/Green%20Sexy/Europa-Bass.jpg)
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Highlander on January 09, 2011, 05:39:39 AM
For me, the shape of an instrument should be easy on the eye, the lines should flow cleanly and it should be fully adjustable but easy to operate keeping controls to the bare minimum...
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: dadagoboi on January 09, 2011, 06:56:20 AM
For me, the shape of an instrument should be easy on the eye, the lines should flow cleanly and it should be fully adjustable but easy to operate keeping controls to the bare minimum...

I take it you won't be ordering a Fretking, Kenny.

I like the white one better than the others, the lack of a suitable bridge is very 'retro'.  Wilkinson sells a tuneamatic bass bridge, strange they haven't used it on a variation of this beastie.

Thanks for that review Dave!
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: ack1961 on January 09, 2011, 08:49:49 AM
Thanks for the input and the link to the review.
I still find the body an interesting amalgam of the TB and Explorer, and I've never been a fan of the Explorer shape at all.
The overall shape may be something I consider a bit when it comes time to plan my 2nd build. 
I have a nice slab of Walnut sitting here waiting for me to get off my butt.
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: Highlander on January 09, 2011, 04:05:51 PM
Go back to my thread about the Demetriou and see something I consider to be what I said...

Beauty is in the eye... ;)
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: uwe on January 10, 2011, 03:54:36 AM
The body shape appeals to me, but the P/J combo is hard to bear on any bass except a Fender-esque one. The turned around headstock is an acquired taste - I was never a friend of that "Hendrix"-look and when there is no pressing need for it (i.e. it is not a consequence of the instrument being played left-handed), it's plain silly. And that non-intonateable bridge is a strict no-no.
Title: Re: Fret King?
Post by: ack1961 on January 10, 2011, 07:14:04 AM
Go back to my thread about the Demetriou and see something I consider to be what I said...

Beauty is in the eye... ;)

Yeah, I see what you mean.
There isn't enough alcohol in the world for me to take that home...other guys might drool all over it.