Tony Franklin - The Fretless Monster

Tony Franklin - The Fretless Monster

Official KZread channel of Tony Franklin, British bassist, musician, writer and educator, known as THE FRETLESS MONSTER. Tony Franklin has played alongside some of the greatest names in music history including The Firm (with Jimmy Page & Paul Rodgers), Whitesnake, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, John Fogerty, Roy Harper, Blue Murder (with John Sykes & Carmine Appice), Kenny Wayne Shepherd and many others.

In 2006, Fender released the Tony Franklin Fretless P Bass, modeled after Franklin's main fretless bass. In 2020 Fender added a new color to Franklin's signature bass line - Lake Placid Blue.

Пікірлер

  • @nickpasic683
    @nickpasic683Күн бұрын

    Ha....I'm the nut!!! Funny!! I think we are all nuts... us chasing our musical muses!! But its fun!!! Never a dull day.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonsterКүн бұрын

    😂😂👏🏻👏🏻 Gotta have fun while chasing the muse 🤩

  • @peerpaulin8486
    @peerpaulin84862 күн бұрын

    Just found your Video about this issue I experienced without finding an explanation for it - until now. 4 String Jazz Bass empty d and f# on g string - both notes are in tune, but played together do not sound in tune. Interesting that they do sound right in tune on my squier 5 String. So this must mean that the Squier is not fretted perfectly?

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonsterКүн бұрын

    Happy I could shed some light 🙌🏻🌟 Hmm on your Squier. I would use the tuner to go through each note and check the intonation. Does it happen with the open A and the C# on the D string? 🤷‍♂️🤪😊

  • @JohnBradydoesstuff
    @JohnBradydoesstuff2 күн бұрын

    I just love the joy in your playing. It just comes out of your pores!❤❤❤❤❤

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster2 күн бұрын

    Truly appreciate that 🙌🏻🤩

  • @davidecosoli7374
    @davidecosoli73742 күн бұрын

    The Takamine sounds amazing!😮

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster2 күн бұрын

    I love that bass. It’s a beast to play but worth it.

  • @andyhbassman
    @andyhbassman2 күн бұрын

    Your analysis is bang on - and fun 😎

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster2 күн бұрын

    Great!! Thanks so much. I like to have fun 🤩

  • @markjuhas7537
    @markjuhas75373 күн бұрын

    Tony, you're the reason I got a fretless in the first place. Saw the Firm in mid 80's and said "Whoa!," that's a sound. In 2000 I finally got my first fretless and fell in love with both the feel and the sound. Love your videos. Thanks, Mate! If you're ever in the SF Bay area, I'd love to meet.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster2 күн бұрын

    That’s amazing to hear. It means the world. Cheers!

  • @TallChief944
    @TallChief9443 күн бұрын

    I dig it.......

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster2 күн бұрын

    👍🏻🤩 Thanks

  • @tomtom4730
    @tomtom47304 күн бұрын

    such a shreddy song, very awesome bass playing.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster4 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much. It’s an intense song for sure. 🤩👍🏻

  • @mikemarkowski7609
    @mikemarkowski76095 күн бұрын

    Who needs the Wilson sisters after that! Just kidding, would be a great addition to - TONY!!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster5 күн бұрын

    Haha! That would be cool! I actually played this with Nancy at Rock Camp. A lot of fun.

  • @mikemarkowski7609
    @mikemarkowski76095 күн бұрын

    A monster, a master and a truly great guy! Now - New Blue Murder!!!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster4 күн бұрын

    Thank you. 😊 35 years since the first album. Sorry but it’s not going to happen.

  • @aifrmedia
    @aifrmedia5 күн бұрын

    I was expecting something along the lines of "because Jaco doesn't need it" but I was pleasantly surprised. There is also a "fix" to this intonation issue with fretted instruments called True Temperament Frets.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster5 күн бұрын

    Great. Thanks for watching. Yes I’ve seen those instruments. They make my eyes hurt. Haha. I’ll stick with Fretless. 😂🤪

  • @camann33
    @camann335 күн бұрын

    I say that all the time about what became the "mullet." Well said!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster5 күн бұрын

    Haha. The birth of the mullet. Wasn’t it the Beastie Boys who launched the mighty mullet?

  • @camann33
    @camann334 күн бұрын

    @@FretlessMonster :) Maybe. But I always blame Billy Ray Cyrus for ruining it.

  • @jasen1971
    @jasen19715 күн бұрын

    Never saw you slap. Sweet

  • @SourSnatch
    @SourSnatch6 күн бұрын

    Rock On!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    👍🏻👍🏻🤩🤩

  • @annimax
    @annimax6 күн бұрын

    Learning all the notes of what you just played would be tricky. Add in the slides, bends & vibrato to add the feel, and it's downright difficult. And to do all that on a fretless??? That's legendary!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    Ahh thank you so much. That means a lot. Believe me, it didn’t happen overnight. I had my share of dirty looks from the singer, being told to get back on fretted bass! But I stuck with it til it finally became second nature. 🤷‍♂️🤩🙏🏻

  • @annimax
    @annimax5 күн бұрын

    @@FretlessMonster Yeah, I used to have one, loved the sound but it was in awful shape. I don't own a fretless at the moment, but definitely on my gear shortlist! 🙂

  • @cobaltoctober
    @cobaltoctober6 күн бұрын

    I love playing fretless! I'm still not anywhere near expert-level, but I the more I play fretless, the less I want to play fretted. My bass is a GWB (5-string with fretlines), but my first bass ever was a p-bass so I hope to one day get one of those blue Tony Franklin basses!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    That’s great to hear. I love Fretless too! Haha. And I totally understand about wanting to play less fretted bass. I hope you’re able to get hold of a Blue TF before too long! 👍🏻🤩

  • @ErikStone1
    @ErikStone16 күн бұрын

    Hey Tony! So I have an update for you. I finally received my baby blue TF Fender! I've lovingly nicknamed it "Blue Murder". It sounds wonderful, and a lot of fun so far! I'm assuming these stock strings are Fender brand? I do have a set of Sunbeams to install after I'm done with these. I'm plugged in to my Fender Rumble, and I even have a Digitech Bass Synth Wah pedal. So I now have the TF tone without the TF talent....LOL

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    Hey Erik. That’s really great to hear! Congratulations. And you got the bass synth wah too! Amazing! I love that pedal. Yes, the strings are a similar Fender brand. I’d be interested to hear how the sunbeams feel when you put those on. Have fun and keep me posted.

  • @michaelcarey9359
    @michaelcarey93596 күн бұрын

    Of course it's a useful technique... look at how guitarists use them. The mass of the bass string makes it a much more useful technique on bass. Just getting a grasp of how harmonic nodes work in relation to the nut, or fretted note, should at least be listened to, if not learned and applied.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @Jon_Bass4001
    @Jon_Bass40016 күн бұрын

    First time I've heard the Takamine (that I know of). Wow!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    It’s an amazing instrument for sure.

  • @Shred_The_Weapon
    @Shred_The_Weapon6 күн бұрын

    If I thought I could afford to hire you as my bass guitar player for my tracks, Tony, I can just imagine you would do a far better job of it than I do. kzread.info/dash/bejne/paCZ3MaOcprfmaw.htmlsi=HDFF0xnTTrAHXrfg

  • @SCreativeIndustries
    @SCreativeIndustries7 күн бұрын

    Birdland was always on fretted bass.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    Live yes. Not sure about studio.

  • @atquinn1975
    @atquinn19757 күн бұрын

    Awesome! The bass you played at the 1 min mark looks exactly like my Fender American Pro II that I "Tony Franklin-ized" to be the fretted version of my TF fretless 😊

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster6 күн бұрын

    Nice! Thanks!

  • @jimpottssoundandvision
    @jimpottssoundandvision7 күн бұрын

    Tony I have digging your playing style since The Firm! I record original music and it would be an honor having you play on a track in the future. My YT channel is "Jim Potts" and all my songs are on Spotify. I can't hire you right away but I wanted to open the door for collaboration soon when I have a new and Tony-worthy track. Thanks and Be Well, You Rock! Jim Potts

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thanks Jim. I’d love to do it. I’ll check it out though I don’t have Spotify.

  • @dairenn
    @dairenn7 күн бұрын

    The king is back!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    🤩👏🏻🤪

  • @neurocosm
    @neurocosm7 күн бұрын

    MAGNIFICENT

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thank you kindly!!

  • @bAgRiMoIrEsS.4
    @bAgRiMoIrEsS.47 күн бұрын

    That was the HOTTEST jams in 90 seconds. Sounds so effing great and so tasty..

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Wow!! Thank you so much. It was a lot of fun.

  • @rolandoflores7626
    @rolandoflores76267 күн бұрын

    Hey man! You Live on the "Valley of the Kings" 👏🏻

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Yes!! Come by and visit 😂😂

  • @thewomble1509
    @thewomble15097 күн бұрын

    Hi Tony, fabulous playing and some seriously lovely basses! Can I ask, how heavy is your P signature model?

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much. The weight of my signature bass varies quite a bit. Though I don’t have specific weights. In broad terms though from fairly light to fairly heavy! 🤷‍♂️😂😂 Mostly they’re right in the middle - medium I guess. Whatever that translates to in lbs! 🤪🤷‍♂️

  • @thewomble1509
    @thewomble15097 күн бұрын

    @@FretlessMonster Thanks for the reply, I think I'm going to have to try one out! I'm hoping it's no more than about 9-9.5lbs due to nerve damage in my left shoulder. If I find out, I'll let you know! 🤣

  • @This_Fretless_Guy
    @This_Fretless_Guy7 күн бұрын

    ❤️‍🔥

  • @wademiyataki9221
    @wademiyataki92217 күн бұрын

    Fretted bass? Sacrilege!🤣🤣🤣 Slap on a fretless doesn’t sound the same.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    😂😂 I’ve been known to slap on a Fretless. It’s pretty cool actually 👍🏻

  • @spookedhorse
    @spookedhorse7 күн бұрын

    MEASTRO, IF YOU PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    1, 2, 3, 4 🔥👍🏻

  • @spookedhorse
    @spookedhorse7 күн бұрын

    @@FretlessMonster You're the tops, dude! Kudos for being quite interactive with all of us. Got ya on Twitter, too.

  • @WimRijksen
    @WimRijksen7 күн бұрын

    Fantastic. That Takamine could house a family of four haha.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Haha yes indeed. It’s a beast.

  • @studiogerk
    @studiogerk7 күн бұрын

    Tony: I was totally waiting for a little ending riff on Clarinet! One bass is missing ... is it out for repair?

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Haha. The clarinet would have been great. I think you’re referring to the JayDee? She’s not quite ready yet. When she is, she’ll get a video all to herself!! 👏🏻🤩

  • @kriskollmar9728
    @kriskollmar97287 күн бұрын

    I couldn’t agree more. Technically you’re standing behind the neck so you can’t really see the lines anyway. I have a lined jazz bass and never use them. Sometimes I don’t even use the side dots because of what’s being discussed here. Ear training is the way to go.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Great comment. And totally agree. Ears are best! I’ve always said that playing Fretless makes us better musicians because we really learn to listen.

  • @MEGAMIGA
    @MEGAMIGA7 күн бұрын

    That Takamine sounds massive! Also, I love how casually you play the fretless as if it was a fretted bass, even with drive! Now, all you need is an Ashbory bass! 😃

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thanks! I love the Takamine. Yes it has a huge sound. And I love overdrive on the Fretless! It’s fun!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    I played an Ashbory. I didn’t like the silicon strings - and the spacing was really small. And I expected it to sound more like an upright. Maybe I needed to spend more time with it ? 🤷‍♂️🤪

  • @MEGAMIGA
    @MEGAMIGA7 күн бұрын

    @@FretlessMonster Yes! Overdrive is not something one would associate with fretless and yet, it sounds wicked!

  • @MEGAMIGA
    @MEGAMIGA7 күн бұрын

    @@FretlessMonster If I remember correctly, it had its own unique character, not for every tune probably but it can add some flavour to some tracks. Talking about alternative stringed instruments, have you ever tried the Chapman Stick?

  • @Marksleftboot1
    @Marksleftboot17 күн бұрын

    Classic Tony, and another Precision user. Over fifty years a Bass player, and I've never owned a Jazz Bass!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Great!! I love that. Yep, no Jazz Bass around here. 😂👏🏻

  • @justingusmano
    @justingusmano7 күн бұрын

    Amazing bass riffs as always Tony! It has been a pleasure getting to work with you on two of my tracks 🔥🤘🏻

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Great. Thank you Justin. All the best

  • @bassbuffricky
    @bassbuffricky7 күн бұрын

    Five privileged basses in the hands of Tony the Legend. 👌👌My Squire PJ is taking notes! 😅😅

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Haha. I like that. And these are amazing basses.

  • @paulwatanabe3339
    @paulwatanabe33397 күн бұрын

    Every bass sounds great, it is my first time to see Mr Tony play walking-style-bass and so impressive to me . Please give me a chance to to know about '97 Graham Bonnet Underground recording. Did Mr.Tony join actually to the studio to record some songs or remote recording? If actually joined the studio did Mr Graham sing loudest of the mankind with his iron lung ? Please take care , Thank you.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thank you Paul. I recorded the Graham Bonnet album in his studio, though he’d already sung vocals at that point. He’s an amazing vocalist.

  • @JoeHell67
    @JoeHell677 күн бұрын

    The world needs more bass!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Not going to argue with that!! 👏🏻😂

  • @Zipp43
    @Zipp438 сағат бұрын

    Indeed!

  • @davidestrada6171
    @davidestrada61717 күн бұрын

    Super!, You can see you have more fun on the fretless. I want one.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Fretless is fun for sure. 😊

  • @user-cn7nw1qb6c
    @user-cn7nw1qb6c7 күн бұрын

    I love it!!! You are inspirational! Keep up the videos!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thank you!!!

  • @thecrazycatdude8066
    @thecrazycatdude80667 күн бұрын

    As always a true master class! The fretless monster rules

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much 👍🏻😊

  • @keithlegge6848
    @keithlegge68487 күн бұрын

    A master of your craft, enough said.

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Truly appreciate that! 🙌🏻🤩

  • @williamclementsonbass1795
    @williamclementsonbass17957 күн бұрын

    🔥👍⚡

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤩🤩🤩

  • @marcoballa
    @marcoballa7 күн бұрын

    This was simply outstanding! 👍👏👏👏👏

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much! 🤩

  • @user-ib9zm5kf3m
    @user-ib9zm5kf3m7 күн бұрын

    Tony Franklin super. thanks so much благодарю за базовые уроки игры на безладовом басу .

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

  • @truepurple3760
    @truepurple37607 күн бұрын

    So cool!!!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thanks!!

  • @thomasfioriglio
    @thomasfioriglio7 күн бұрын

    Always fun to watch you play, Tony. Fantastic!

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Appreciate that! 👍🏻🤩

  • @dwaynewladyka577
    @dwaynewladyka5777 күн бұрын

    Amazing bass grooves. Cheers, Tony! 👍🏻👍🏻✌️

  • @FretlessMonster
    @FretlessMonster7 күн бұрын

    Thank you!