FretKing basses

kentuckyklira

What are you experiences. My bassist loves my UK made FretKing Elan guitar and now wants to get FretKing bass. I have no idea though if they´re worth checking out.

Funkfingers

kentuckyklira said:

What are your experiences?

My experience of Fret King bass guitars is zero, zip, zilch. 

The combination of their unusual styling and the dearth of UK stockists means that very few examples appear on the pre-owned market.

As a boring, old fart owner of brands F, MM, R, S and W, I am disinclined to travel a long distance just to examine an instrument that there is only a 50:50 chance I will take to. (I would be equally disinclined to travel to view a brand G bass!)

kentuckyklira said:

My bassist

What makes/models of bass guitar does this person currently use?

kentuckyklira

Funkfingers said:

kentuckyklira said:

What are your experiences?

My experience of Fret King bass guitars is zero, zip, zilch. 

The combination of their unusual styling and the dearth of UK stockists means that very few examples appear on the pre-owned market.

As a boring, old fart owner of brands F, MM, R, S and W, I am disinclined to travel a long distance just to examine an instrument that there is only a 50:50 chance I will take to. (I would be equally disinclined to travel to view a brand G bass!)

kentuckyklira said:

My bassist

What makes/models of bass guitar does this person currently use?

Sandberg Electra

Tex Mexico

A Fretking bass is unlikely to be an upgrade or even a meaningful change from what he currently has, if he opts for the Perception model. If he goes Esprit, I mean they're fine but he'd probably get better value for money with the equivalent Music Man/Sterling.

Fretking is a Wilkinson brand, so the build quality is good but the materials are average, the finishes are plasticky and in my experience (only with FK guitars, not basses) they're a bit characterless.

I think £600-£700 is quite a lot of money for copies "with a twist", albeit well-made. The other thing is these hold half the value compared to their equivalent e.g. MIM Fenders.

All the above is just my opinion. I sort of rate them along with Gordon Smith, for "they look fine, but why would you, considering what else there is".

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Someone is selling a pretty nice looking Esprit bass on Facebook for a decent price... 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/167660810099231/permalink/1427290700802896/?sale_post_id=1427290700802896

MattBanshee

I'm pretty sure that Fret King is essentially the 'non-traditional' design wing of Vintage, with equivalent product quality.