Tony Franklin • JayDee Fretless Update • Valley, Riot, Jelly Roll • Stories

The stories behind the dings and scars. Restoration update.
The original story of it's return: • Tony Franklin plays hi...

[@VHdiggare]

You have no idea how many times the song "Blue Murder" has been played in this house over the years. Wonderful song! Love from Sweden!

[@FretlessMonster]

I love to hear that. Thanks for sharing. 🌟👍🏻

[@toddstropicals]

Yeah that bass!!! It's the one I remember and the one that made me say get a fretless, get a fretless! And I did! So glad it came back to you! Edit: Those old basses earned the warpaint they have, yes the dings and scratches tells their stories.

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks for that. Agreed. The bumps tell a story and add mojo. I’ll keep as much of that as possible

[@toddstropicals]

@@FretlessMonster Monster Marks!😁

[@JustK009]

Tony once again I gotta hand it to you for pushing the boundaries on the perception of fretless bass..Radioactive influenced my young ears and got me thinking a certain way then a few years later Valley of the Kings (your part in the guitar solo) demonstrated how the fretless can be a integral dynamic in a hard rock environment standing tall in the mix..You are a pioneer and a serious influence on my playing bro🍻

[@FretlessMonster]

That’s amazing to hear. I truly appreciate that! Thank you!!

[@RC32Smiths01]

It's so fascinating how an instrument alone can have so much history and endurance to it! Cheers for the stories!

[@FretlessMonster]

I’ve heard it said that the difference between a good instrument and a great instrument is it’s story! 🤩👍🏻

[@Al_Mac125]

Blimey Tony you certainly give that JD a hammering. Speaker ramming or not lol. Love it, love your style. I had a lighting rig fall on my headless Status, on tour in Canada, also left it in the tour truck overnight in minus 33 degC. Anyway, it survived & made its way back home to UK. Cheers for great vids. 👍

[@FretlessMonster]

It’s amazing how much abuse a well-made bass can handle!!

[@mattonbass]

The bass that convinced me to play music. I'm so glad to see it back in your hands, Tony.

[@FretlessMonster]

Wow. That’s amazing to hear. Yes I’m thrilled to have this bass back.

[@fuzmaginty5822]

fantastic guy and one of my favourite bass players.

[@FretlessMonster]

You’re very kind. Thank you. 🤩🙏🏻

[@mightyV444]

Gone for 25 years! 😯 Reminds me of the story around Peter Frampton's 'Phenix' Les Paul 🙂 I'm very happy for you having it back! 🤩 And thank you for sharing some of its stories and also those licks! 😊👍

[@FretlessMonster]

Great. Thank you. I’m so thankful it came back to me.

[@mightyV444]

@@FretlessMonster - What I don't quite understand, though: You were allowed to only _look_ at your own bass for ten, fifteen years while it was on display somewhere? Did I get that right?! Why wasn't it possible for you to get it back straight away? Seeing there was absolutely _no_ doubt this was indeed your property!

[@jaydeebasssociety268]

At least Tony's Jaydee wasn't in a plane crash,.......hurts to even think about that.

[@jrbass62]

I love that bass !! Mark King also was a player of those...

[@mightyV444]

Still is, too! 😀

[@FretlessMonster]

That’s right. His was the first I saw.

[@WimRijksen]

Now you know why Jaco wore a headband. Thanks Tony!

[@FretlessMonster]

Haha. Yes indeed. Bloody annoying at times. 🤷‍♂️🤣

[@paulsimmons5726]

Tony, As far as having work done on the JD, if it was me, I’d have the electronics brought back to spec and I’d have whatever needs to be done to the neck/action to make it play like you remember and imagine! For the dings and battle scars, I wouldn’t touch any of them! That bass has paid some dues over the years; every ding, scratch, and scrape tells a story… Let the bass talk! As always, I love hearing about the further adventures of that bass. “Ready as I’ll never be!” Take care!

[@FretlessMonster]

Yes that’s exactly the approach I’m taking. The neck is pretty good. Keep the mojo, fix the electronics. It will be killer.

[@ThePRINCEMILK]

1989年ジャパンツアーのブートレグCDであなたのサウンドとインプロバイズされた縦横無尽なフレーズにぶっ飛びました！1995年5月24日IMP HALLにケリー•キーリング、ミッチ・ペリーを引き連れて来日されたSUPER ROCK SESSION。初めて生で観て最高でした。JayDee Fretless似合ってます。 I was blown away by your sound and improvised phrases on the 1989 Japan tour bootleg CD! SUPER ROCK SESSION came to Japan on May 24, 1995 at IMP HALL with Kelly Keeling and Mitch Perry. It was great to see it live for the first time. JayDee Fretless looks good on you.

[@FretlessMonster]

Great. Thank you. Cool that you saw that very rare show we did with Super Rock Session. That was fun. I hope to have the JayDee fully functional again soon.

[@iantrott9152]

Another excellent video. I’m so pleased you’ve got your JayDee back (what a lovely friend to have). I’m looking forward to the journey of it :)

[@FretlessMonster]

Thank you! Yes we share a unique history!

[@stibiumev1586]

I listened to the Blue Murder album start to finish on my commute home today and here you are playing some of the tunes! Please keep doing these kinds of videos it brings such joy to watch you play!

[@FretlessMonster]

How cool is that. Thanks so much.

[@jamescoderre9595]

What a great story, you must be beyond thrilled to get your Jay Dee bass back, ... Hope you will be doing a video after the bass is refurbished I would love to see results ...or a video of the refurbishing process ( maybe a time lapse would be cool as well) Thanks Tony ! 😀👍

[@FretlessMonster]

I’ll definitely be sharing the process.

[@jamescoderre9595]

@@FretlessMonster Awesome!! Looking forward to the refurbishing video the Jay Dee is such a cool bass .

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks Tony thanks for sharing 🎸🎸🎵🎶

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks for watching. 🤩👍🏻

[@scottwhite2757]

Awesome ,, Thx Tony happy you were able to get your bass back cool story..👍🤘🏻

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks. I’m so grateful.

[@suprchickn7745]

What a great channel. I love how much you appreciate your fans, a lot of channels could learn for you. Your Gollum is perfect to. Have a great one, Tony!

[@FretlessMonster]

I truly appreciate that! I thoroughly enjoy doing it.

[@fstopPhotography]

So the other day I asked you, Tony, what strings you use. Well, yesterday my own SUNBEAMS 45-105 came and today I'm putting them on my homemade fretless bass. Very excited to hear them. Thanks Tony. 🎸🎶🎵

[@FretlessMonster]

How great. Let me know how they work for you. I cannot say enough about them. 👍🏻👍🏻🤩

[@fstopPhotography]

@@FretlessMonster Will do. Thanks again.

[@SteelTearsJulie]

I love listening to you’re stories about musician’s…music…concerts listening to you shred you’re guitar I find very fascinating coming from a legendary musician’s point of view…Fretlessmonster 🎸🎶 Ty, for sharing ✌️❤️🤘

[@sierraesquivel]

Sounds great Tony

[@scottbaldwin1439]

Incredible that you were able to be reunited with that bass again! I dig the tone of it, and the shape of the body. Nice plank of wood! I’m glad it found it’s way back to you!

[@FretlessMonster]

Thank you. Me too. It’s an amazing bass.

[@scottbaldwin1439]

@@FretlessMonster Yes, it’s a special one indeed. I think that’s why it came back to you. So glad for you!

[@Kwheel21]

Tony… I think McCartney stole it! HAHA!! 😂😂 Sounds great! Good luck with the refurb! ☮️💜🤘🏼

[@khaz606]

Got mine back from Jaydee after a service a month or so ago. I kept the scars and dings :). Uploaded my first Bass cover on YT due to it sounding so good! Can't wait to hear you in "Active". At least you don't have to wait for a fret re-dress. Hehehe

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

I just watched your JayDee bass video. 👍 Other than Tony's, yours is the only JayDee I've ever seen/heard in action. Now I know what a fretted one sounds like. Very cool.

[@khaz606]

@@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance Thanks. I'm not quite in Tony's league, but I have a go :)

[@FretlessMonster]

They’re amazing basses. Mark King famously used / uses one.

[@FretlessMonster]

That’s really cool. It’s very exciting

[@petegossett5494]

As an “upside-down” lefty, I spent my first decade playing right-handed basses flipped upside down, and still play with my basses strung right-handed. While I definitely wasn’t involved in its theft & am glad it made it home, I bet it would have been difficult for someone to let go of it. I honestly think it sounds better than your Fenders.

[@FretlessMonster]

It’s a great instrument. I really don’t think they knew how to play it. It’s a beast. Not for all.

[@jaydeebasssociety268]

Wow,...that bass must have been built in late '79, ...or early eighties based on that old active circuit board design which is primitive-looking to say the least. I believe that Mark King's SA003 has that same circuit board. Later Jaydees came with an integrated circuit board that was the exact shape of the control cavity itself. The saddles on the bridge are non-adjustable, or 'fixed', for individual string height as it does not have the twin holes for the hex screw adjustment on both sides of the saddle. I have this same bridge on my Series One built in 1987. I know you hated damaging the headstock as mahogany is a very soft wood and not as forgiving as it dings very easily. I can imagine that having a broken pickup selector knob is frustrating to say the least. John and Andy Diggins will get you taken care of. Your Jaydee is a proud piece of rock history, mate!

[@FretlessMonster]

I appreciate all that. It’s a special instrument for sure. The serial number begins with 0 so I believe it’s a 1980. I didn’t acquire it until 1985. I want to maintain as much of the original mojo and sound as possible so I appreciate that extra info. Cheers!

[@aussiecoastie72]

Love your channel Tony ! Wishing you a very merry Christmas 🎄

[@FretlessMonster]

Truly appreciate that. Merry Christmas to you 🌟😊

[@PjRjHj]

I love the JayDee aesthetic

[@FretlessMonster]

Yeah it’s pretty special.

[@user-ib9zm5kf3m]

Tony Franklin super good luck. Благодарю Вас за отличное исполнение. Всех благ и удачи.

[@darrenchambers3042]

That hair in Valley of the Kings video haha. That bass line is killer though.

[@FretlessMonster]

Haha. The hair was standard… and even expected in 1989… And a lot of fun. 🙃🤷‍♂️😂

[@frankperricone2065]

I know I said it before, Jimmy's got to be getting ichy, I don't know what Paul is doing, need a new Firm Album and maybe a small venue tour. Even give Carmine and John a call for some Blue Murder music and small tour. I saw the Firm 3 times in the N.Y area but never got to see Blue Murder live. I have seen so many shows in my life and I don't know why how and why I let a Blue Murder show slip through my fingers. I have seen the other guys plenty of times but I only got to see you with the Firm those 3 times. I just want to see The Frettles Monster in action, 1986 has been a long time. I just love the sound of you playing that amazing instrument. I mean I play bass you play such a whole different animal. From soft and mellow to a growling monster, I did not mean the pun but it is a good nickname. Alright I kissed your ass enough lol. Just curious do you ever pickup a regular bass?

[@FretlessMonster]

I like how you think though it’s probably highly unlikely Check out my version of Roundabout for some fretted action. I do quite a bit on fretted. kzbin.info/www/bejne/moqpq3mOj9uHY8k

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

If only we could know the history of that bass during its "missing years". These are a few of the questions that will probably remain a mystery forever: Where did it travel? How much was it played? How many times was it bought and sold? If it was owned by more than one person, how many of them knew you were the original owner? That bass is a piece of music history, and I'm glad it is back where it belongs.

[@FretlessMonster]

Yes indeed. All we know is it ended happily, which isn’t always the case. This bass is not for everyone. It feels like the JayDee and I were destined to be together. Like a wizard and it’s wand. 🤩🤷‍♂️ It found its way back to me. Truly grateful for that. 🙏🏻

[@hydorah]

I was thinking about this the other day. I think the story is: you put the bass in storage. Somehow it walks out of storage and goes missing and turns up some time later in the hands of a collector who tells you you can visit it whenever you like. It lives in a glass case with some memorabilia. Eventually the chap decides to give it to you... after like 20 years or something. I don't know if you realise this Tony, but in the eyes of the law that chap had no right to your bass. The fact he bought it off somebody for whatever money is his own tough luck and if you'd pressed the issue he'd have to have given your bass back. If you'd have asked the cops to retrieve your bass, they would have. It's the same with all stolen gear, it belongs to the rightful owners, not subsequent purchasers even if they buy the item in good faith

[@FretlessMonster]

All correct. Except the collector was / is a dear friend. 20+ years ago once it was retrieved, my friend offered to pay me handsomely to keep it in his private collection, with the promise I could visit it whenever I wanted, though I never did as it was the opposite of the country. I wasn’t attached to the bass, and was fully immersed in my Fender Basses, and it meant the world to him to have it. After many years he felt compelled to return it. I didn’t ask. I didn’t realize how much the bass meant to me until I got it back. 🙏🏻😊🥲

[@hydorah]

@@FretlessMonster Ah I didn't realise the collector offered to reimburse you! And you just weren't that bothered about it? Along with Status, Wal and Alembic, JayDee are truly top tier instruments very fitting for a young fretless monster such as yourself. I watched the video to Valley of the Kings last night. You put on hell of a show in that video and that bass is YOU. It is very good that the fellow just felt it had to go back home

[@brucewayne251]

Glad to see Thor with his Hammer!🫡

[@FretlessMonster]

Or Gandalf with his wand. 🤪🤩🤷‍♂️

[@jaya1305]

I had to laugh when you got to describing the electronics, I have the exact same situationn with the Ibanez Roadster bass I bought brand new in 1981 just before starting colege (and still own to this day). It has P and J pickups and a three band active EQ system, but it only that still works is the P pickup in passive mode, but it still sounds killer like that!

[@FretlessMonster]

Basses from that era had some mojo magic.

[@jasoncornell1481]

That bass has just begun to be broken in mate!

[@FretlessMonster]

True but though it still needs some love and attention 🤩

[@Sanson101]

tony jaydee dont look that bad for the anount of work you did with it......id leave it as is!,,,MHO.....thanks for sharing

[@FretlessMonster]

I’ll be doing the minimum work to it, to get it functioning at its highest level. I love the mojo of it.

[@kevmac1230]

Amazing 🤩

[@FretlessMonster]

Thank you 🤩👍🏻

[@MrKayley10]

If you ever want a backup I know someone in Bristol who has an original black JayDee Fretless just like this.

[@FretlessMonster]

How cool. Didn’t know more existed. I’m not in need at this point. Would love to see a picture of it though.

[@paullawson8610]

Im glad you got your Jay-Dee back after all those years id love to see a video once its restored, You have a great tone may i ask what amp you use

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks! I will definitely share footage once it’s fully restored. I was using a basic small Fender Rumble combo on this track.

[@EddieG1888]

The intonation of that D an octave up over the drop D....and on an unlined.....and ALL of the notes following it! You only that good after YEARS of dedication to the fretless! Great video, Mr F. This is fast becoming one of my fave bass-related channels. I notice you dropping quite a lot of open strings into that passage, I'm wondering if you do that for the same reasons as I did; it gave me a "ground zero" pitching wise, almost like a subtle course correction if you needed it, or the verification that your intonation is still locked in, in case you start questioning yourself a little mid-song?

[@FretlessMonster]

I love the drop D tuning. It’s not really about the tuning reference. It brings a different depth and resonance. I don’t really use a 5 string but that one extra note seems to add a lot of extra range.

[@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4]

I like those stories behind the dings and the scars. I bet your Pete Townsend days are over. John Deacon will straighten her out. Straight away!

[@FretlessMonster]

Haha. Thanks. Yes that was my one and only Townsend moment. 😩🤣

[@tuxster123]

Hi tony,where its been touched up by the pick ups,is that where a thumb rest may of been initially installed an de-installed leaving to a botch up repaint ? Just a thought,love your videos and stories,keep them coming. ❤

[@FretlessMonster]

It doesn’t appear to be the case - though with all those years missing, anything’s possible 🤷‍♂️🤪

[@fstopPhotography]

Once again, I am thoroughly enjoying your videos. A question I have for you is, in your opinion, what amp do you find that brings out the subtle nuances of the fretless bass? I have a Hartke Kickback and it sounds ok. Honestly, I don't know what a good bass amp should sound like. I have, four bass guitars and three are fretless. A PJ, P and J basses that I made during covid. Before covid, I knew nothing about the bass and now I'm crazy about them and the music that is created by talented people like yourself, Victor Wooton, Getty Lee and many others. The amp is a mystery to me at this point. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[@FretlessMonster]

How cool that you’re loving the bass so much. I’ve used various amps over the years, mainly Peavey, Ampeg, SWR and Fender. I’ve got my sound out of all of them. It’s a personal taste thing. I like to have a little tube drive. That saturation brings out the subtleties and complexities of the Fretless tone. If you’re able to try out some different options, that’s always the best way. Remember an amplifier is designed to “amplify” our sound. So it needs to come from us first.

[@fstopPhotography]

@@FretlessMonster Thank you so much, that makes a great deal of sense. "It needs to come from us first." That's deep. 🤯

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

One of my favorite parts of this upload - and don’t think I would ever tell you how to play - is seeing you play with your fingertips in place of a pick. Have you got a ratio of playing one way or the other?

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks for that. It varies. I guess it’s mostly finger style - probably 70 / 30. But there will be times when it’s the opposite. I love both.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

👌

[@spookybaba]

I was gonna ask about the dink. But, the one on the lower piece shown from the front. Were there any dinks done whilst it was AWOL? I'd love to try out the JayDee bass, very much. It's a beast of a bass. Is it heavier than your others, Mr. Franklin?

[@FretlessMonster]

I’m pretty sure the bangs and dents were all mine. It’s a pretty light bass. The pick ups are quite heavy.

[@danepaulstewart8464]

What is the story of why the action is ‘still’ so high? Was that how you played it originally? Or was this something that happened during the years it was missing? 😀👍👍

[@FretlessMonster]

It happened when it was missing. It feels like a completely different instrument to before. I will get it back to full speed though. Progress is being made.

[@commanderwilliamtriker7449]

Tony, did you play any of the Blue Murder songs with your fingers instead with a pick?

[@FretlessMonster]

Valley Of The Kings and S*x Ch*ld were the pick. The rest were fingers. 👍🏻😊

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Watch for the haircut 😹

[@FretlessMonster]

Oh yes. There’s a few to choose from 🤪😩🤣

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

that was john sykes and carmine appice. ?? pretty cool

[@FretlessMonster]

Yes indeed. Look up Blue Murder band.

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

@@FretlessMonster and you on the evolution cd tony macalpine.

[@SourSnatch]

Detective "Grim Reaper", you, Carmine, Ted Nugent & Sass Jordan!!!

[@FretlessMonster]

That’s a blast from the past

[@fr1nkly]

My mistake, I thought this was a David St. Hubbins video.

[@FretlessMonster]

🤣🤣

[@fr1nkly]

@@FretlessMonster btw excellent Gollum!

[@nunoharris]

Hi Mr Tony. Whats the brand of strings that you have in your Jay Dee bass ? Thanks

[@FretlessMonster]

DR Sunbeams. I use the same strings on all my basses. 👍🏻😊

[@michaelb.42112]

The English Alembic...

[@FretlessMonster]

That’s right

[@michaelb.42112]

@@FretlessMonster Oh, and that Peavey wall is SICK ! I still LOVE my Peavey gear. It's bulletproof and sounds great.

[@bassjaymi]

Does the serial start with a zero? that would make it a 1980....

[@FretlessMonster]

Yes it does. Interesting. I didn’t buy it until 1985.

[@bassjaymi]

@@FretlessMonster The bridge saddles are slightly different than on all of the ones I have owned as well....Makes sense to be an early one!

[@trygd100]

Jay Dee sounds great!

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks. And she will sound even better!

[@trygd100]

And now John is dead. So sad news

[@jackienelson5804]

Hay Tony how are you doing like your show showing your basses LEMAY

[@FretlessMonster]

Thanks! Doing good. I share lots of stuff on here! Enjoy!