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
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. Its 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.
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 Im 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 Whats 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.
Thanks to John (Redbird) Fertig and Ralphe Armstrong for making this interview possible, Armando Gallo, Henrietta Bannister and Brian Patneaude for use of some great photos, and Nick Horowitz for making it more legible.
Further reading: PBS TV show on Howard Armstrong | John McLaughlin Homepage | Jean-Luc Ponty homepage | other FlyGuitars interviews
Fretless bass guitars for sale
1979 Fender Precision Bass Fretless Sunburst w / HSC
San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3395
This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Light Cosmetic Playwear Including Some Small Dings, Marks, Scratches, And Some Strap Burn On Back As Shown
All Original Example
Alder Body With 3-Tone Sunburst Finish
Maple Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard
Grey Bottom Pickups Dated 1979
34" Scale Length
1 5 / 8" Nut Width
'C' Shape Neck Profile
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1976 Rickenbacker 4001 Fretless Bass very rare example that's a beat sweet bass.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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Vintage 1977 Kramer 450B Fretless Electric Bass Guitar w / OHSC
Hicksville, New York, 118**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
Hey there! This is a Vintage 1977 Kramer 450B Electric Bass Guitar! The bass has been converted to being fretless to be able to play those more sophisticated notes! The aluminum headstock also looks so cool and unique. It is truly one beautiful bass and also sounds incredible with rich high and low ends
The bass is in excellent clean condition. There are next to no signs of use and only has a bit much epoxy on ... more
JB-62 Fretless Jaco style (1978 neck)
Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2490
Body, electronic and hardware MIJ (2000s) Few dings and blemishes (see pictures)
Alder bodyNeck construction: maple neck (quarter sawn + bird's eye maple)Schaller tunerEbony fingerboard
Picture of the heel of the neck available upon request
The neck's construction is quite amazing with an unmatched quality
The fretboard is flat and fast
An incredible and unique instrument
Video available upon request... more
1976 Rickenbacker 4001 Bass FRETLESS in Walnut
Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4190
Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1976 Rickenbacker fretless 4001 in its original Walnut finish. It has a great playing neck. It's all original and 100% complete along with its original hardshell case. It's in great condition with a few nicks + dings and other cosmetic wear. Everything remains structurally sound with no cracks, breaks or repairs. All electronics work and sound great
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FRETLESS Vintage 1980's Quest Short Scale Bass by Vantage Japan *FREE SHIPPING*
Neosho, Missouri, 648**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$469
What a great playing little Fretless bass, play it on the go, anywhere!
It's not a toy; it's more of a travel bass guitar, very good quality, built in Japan at the Matsumoku plant for Quest / Vantage
25" Scale. 38" in total length
Fun to play, and in very good condition considering that it's over 40 years old, but it does have several dings, nicks, and scuffs throughout,
I circled in yellow the most major
Does not effect to playability whatsoever
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1976 Fender Fretless P Bass Mocha Brown
Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5000
Squier Vintage Fretless Jazz Bass with Multiple Upgrades and Roadworn Hard Case
Reading, Pennsylvania, 196**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$420
This 2006 Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz Bass in brown sunburst is from my small collection. It??s been kept in in case for years, and it??s time for me to thin my herd a little and find a home for it where it will be played and treasured (as it??s been while in my care). Very good, solid Indonesian construction. This guitar is in VG+ (some would say excellent) condition with only minor evidence of light use.... more
Phillip Kubicki 1984 Koa Very Rare Fretless Bass . One Of A Kind.
Raleigh, North Carolina, 276**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3300
This bass is perfect for any musician who wants a high-quality, reliable instrument. Its fretless design allows for smooth and comfortable play, while the koa material... more
1960's Ampeg AMUB-1 unfretted / fretless AMB-1 Bass Cherry-Red
Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$7590
Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1960's Ampeg AMUB-1 (unfretted AMB-1) bass in its original "Cherry-Red" finish. It has a great playing neck. It's all original and 100% complete along with its original gig bag. There are nicks + dings, belt buckle wear and other cosmetic wear. Everything remains structurally sound with no cracks, breaks or repairs. All electronics work and sound great as the controls are still sealed in the factory can
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1977 fender precision fretless bass excellent condition
Fayetteville, Arkansas, 727**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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Vintage 1977 Fender Precision Fretless Bass
Costa Mesa, California, 926**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
A few things to point out
- Missing bridge cover
- Missing pickup cover
- No case is included
- Pickguard is not original
SPECIFICATIONS:
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- Model: Precision Fretless Bass
- Manufactured Date: 1977 / 1978
- Manufactured Location: United States
- Weight: 9lbs 8 7oz
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Fender Precision Bass Fretless 1978 USA
Port St. Mary, IM9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3100
Ash slab with maple neck and rosewood fretboard
Super clean, all original example, with original non Fender case, manual and original payment card. Original covers and thumb rest with original screws
No repairs; slight dings to body as shown on photos. Matching serial number stickers on the body and pick guard match; S8 Serial number
Super playing & sounding P-Bass that is in fantastic... more
Rare guitare basse fretless GUILD B302F
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1976 HOYER EB 3 FRETLESS BASS - Made in GERMANY - SHORT SCALE
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£625
1976 HOYER EB BASS -- made in GERMANY -- FRETLESS :
+ mahagony body finished in wine red, has lots of wear=check last 2 pics
+ mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, frets were removed, previous owner has inlaid a new name into the headstock, starts with G, 4 bolt neck construction
+ 2 humbuckers
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Eko BA4 - rare vintage Italy 1979 - Fretless Acoustic Bass (the Cure)
Abano Terme, 35***, ITALY
€970
Basso di alta qualità, utilizzato anche da professionisti, come i The Cure: appare nei video di 'The Caterpillar' e ?In Between Days??.
Prodotto dalla fine degli anni 70 a circa il 1987 in poche quantità
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Aria Pro II Vintage Fretless Bass SB600 1980 with custom hard case
Reading, RG1***, UNITED KINGDOM
£950
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
1972 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK - FRETLESS - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€1597
* converted to FRETLESS, slots are filled with wood putty
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1977 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK USA - FRETLESS
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€2197
1977 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK USA - FRETLESS :
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1975 Fender Precision Fretless Bass in Black finish & case
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2800
1975 FENDER PRECISION - FRETLESS - BLACK
A genuine factory fretless Precision in black. Shows some checking to the finish, the usual chips and dings that you'd expect on a fifty year old bass, the rear of the body shows an area where a lead has been in contact with the bass and reacted with the finish. There is light weather checking on the finish. Non original later repro white pickguard. Weighs 4 6 kgs or just over 10... more