Incoming Weird Guitar

[Mincer]

Wow, what are the specs on this thing? That is beautiful.

[Open lane]

Man, that thing looks cool!

[JB_From_Hell]

That thing is sweet looking. Bet it sounds killer too. Is that bridge sunken?

Looks like it. Did you see the routed faux-tailpiece?

Also, the pickup height adjustment screws are accessed through 4 small holes in the back of the guitar, too. So they’re going through the mounting tabs backwards.

[ArtieToo]

That thing is sweet looking. Bet it sounds killer too. Is that bridge sunken?

[JB_From_Hell]

Looking good, I think. Are those Trembuckers?

Yes. I’m assuming PATB-1s, but he didn’t specify.

I love talking to Frank about a build, because he ends up having something on hand that I love, and saves me from the endless option paralysis. Seriously, every time I ask, “Can you do this crazy thing?” the answer is always yes.

For instance, I’m leaning heavily toward an ergo-bass he built for NAMM 2020. It’s a 5 string, the bottom 3 are fretted up to the 14th or 15th, then the top two strings are fretless. The nut and saddles are shifted up on the fretless strings so you can play it just like the fretted portion.

[JB_From_Hell]

I’m looking forward to getting it. No markers is a bit daunting, but I don’t think I look when I play my fretless Warwick all that much, and the same with slide.

No, I’m not gonna be playing much open chord strummy stuff on it, but I think it will be an extremely inspiring instrument. It’s basically like having six slides going simultaneously.

[beaubrummels]

Kind of reminds me of the oldest traditional fretless banjos that were a gourd body and odd woods.

[jeremy]

patbs!

cool looking guitar for sure man, enjoy

[ICTGoober]

Looking good, I think. Are those Trembuckers?

[JB_From_Hell]

The glorious board

[JB_From_Hell]

For the record, this guitar isn’t what Frank would consider a “Falbo” guitar. It’s kind of a partscaster that he happened to make all the parts for

[Mincer]

There are a handful of well-known fretless players out there like Bumblefoot and Adrian Belew. They all make it sound so easy. My guess (I've never played one) is that it isn't as easy as it looks. I can't wait to see this instrument, though.

[beaubrummels]

Fretless guitar? Wanna see the Falbo pics right away, but for playing demonstration, I'll wait for that 59th demo video

[jeremy]

sounds fun! and im glad i wont have to hear you in the first few weeks

[ICTGoober]

The first fretless guitar playing I ever heard was Frank Zappa on a fretless Hagstrom back in the early 70's.