Product: Hambone Fairlane Fretless 4-String
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
07/23/2007
at
05:07pm
by
brandon
Features
:
8
Made in Georgia, USA in 2005
Fretless 4 string, ~35" scale
Solid-Top
Active J-Retro H/H
Transparent Gloss finish on Mahogany Body and Ebony Fretboard
Custom Hollowed Body Style and Custom built-in bridge
Black Schaller Lite Tuners and custom wood knobs
Thin neck with dual truss rods to keep straight
Custom Inlay (Bonsai Tree)
i am the second owner of this bass!!!
Sound
:
8
the bass has sum hum but nothing too bad!! the sound is awesome lots of growl and tons and tons of options with the j-retro
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
came already setup with low low action, just theway i like!! the body had a few dings but nothing noticible!!
Reliability/Durability
:
8
this bass is made to last but you have to more careful with it than most basses. have not had to make one adjustment yet!
Customer Support
:
9
the maker contacted me directly without me having to go to him!! so i am sure he will take care of any new that may arise, which i do not see happening!!
Overall Rating
:
9
been playing for 15 years, and i have had many fretless basses over the years and i can say it is the best one i have played. very easy to play, fit finish it great and it is incredibl light!!
Product: Hambone Fairlane Fretless 4-String
Price Paid: USD 800
Submitted
11/11/2006
at
04:52pm
by
mnolan
Features
:
No Opinion
Made in Georgia, USA in 2005
Fretless 4 string, ~35" scale
Solid-Top
Active J-Retro H/H
Transparent Gloss finish on Mahogany Body and Ebony Fretboard
Custom Hollowed Body Style and Custom built-in bridge
Black Schaller Lite Tuners and custom wood knobs
Thin neck with dual truss rods to keep straight
Custom Inlay (Bonsai Tree)
Sound
:
9
The sound is pure bass. It is smooth and clear and rumbles. Due to the J-Retro preamp built in, the sound can be adjusted to several different settings that are more on the treble side to complete "shake the house" dark bass. It is always very warm.
I played this mostly at my church as I haven't found a use for it yet in my band. However, I am determined to use it in the future with the band. I did use it for one part of a song while my band was recording. It produced the perfect low, almost hollow, bass sound.
The bass does have some hum, but it is no worse than what I have experienced with other basses, especially since I'm used to playing Jazz basses.
The bass is definitely not made to be thrown around, but it definitely has a place on a stage as well as in the studio.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The bass was set up extremely well. The action is low, but there is no buzz due to the fact that it is a fretless. It feels extremely comfortable.
There were many firsts with this bass, including the way it was finished. So, the finish does have a few very minor flaws, but it is not noticeable unless you get very close. I am extremely pleased, especially for the value.
The controls are all great. I have not noticed anything troublesome about them.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
As I said before, this bass is not made for being thrown around, but I have had no problems with playing it "actively" in a live context. The bass is built extremely well, and I have no doubts that it will last for a very long time.
Even though the finish has a few minor flaws, as previously mentioned, it seems very durable as well. I can't imagine it wearing off very easily at all.
The strap buttons installed are strap locks, and the buttons do not move at all. They are completely stable.
I can't imagine the truss rods needing adjusted anytime soon. Since there are two, the neck is extremely sturdy.
I don't believe I would play this bass without a backup simply due to the fact that the bridge is not as sturdy as a standard metal bridge. However, I believe it would be a rare circumstance when I have to go to my backup, and it wouldn't surprise me if it never happens. This bass is built well.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing bass for about 8 years. I have owned a few basses, but this is the best quality bass I've owned. I have only owned a Mexican Jazz, a The Bass Company Bass, and a Takamine Acoustic-Electric. I own a Schroeder 310212 cab and Carvin B1500 amp as well as an Ashdown 300h.
I definitely would like to have another Hambone bass, and Allan, the maker/owner, is working on another project for me very soon.
This bass is worth a lot to me, as it has an amazing sound and look. I would be very, very sad if I lost it.
