C.F. Martin EB-28 ***fretless***

[edwardofhuncote]

Only posting because I think it's a unicorn... if there is another fretless one, I've never seen it. Had to be a special order.


https://reverb.com/item/90006734

[edwardofhuncote]

*and for what it's worth, Quigley Music in Kansas City, MO. is where my fretless Distillate came from back in 1985.

[garyhead]

Some rare animals popping up lately.  I see over on Reverb there is a rare 5-String Zon Hyperbass.  I've only seen one other for sale these past few decades.

[dela217]

I had one of those Martin basses when they first came out.    I think it was in the 80's.    Same color, and fretless.    I hated it.

[BeenDown139]

it says 33" (US) scale in the "human" description, 34" in the ChatGPT description.  whoya gonna believe?  neck-thru, looks like a brass nut.  ugly as sin (imho).  good luck to all!

[edwardofhuncote]

I should have just asked Dela first... I swear you've had at least one of everything.  😊

So I went back down the rabbit-hole because I hadn't in a while... granted my main source is a little bit dated, but it's a very good source considering the guy who compiled it was working there.

According to the Gospel of Michael, there were 217 EB-28's built, and 874 EB-18's. There's also this mysterious column of 98 listed as Unidentified. Since they fall in this table that could be anything I guess. The EB line only lasted from '79-'83, and by the time they pulled the plug on these it probably didn't matter tracking them anymore. Maybe that's how this one ended up a fretless?

For what it's worth, they were completely different models. EB-18 was longer scale (33.825") set neck of mahogany into a maple body, with passive electronics. The EB-28 though, was a neck-through construction, (shorter scale 33.1625") contoured mahogany body with active electronics. Screw a chatbot... I'll take Mike's word.

[flavofive]

*and for what it's worth, Quigley Music in Kansas City, MO. is where my fretless Distillate came from back in 1985.

Not to derail the discussion or anything, but just wanted to say thanks Edward for pointing out the Quigley Music sticker (and mentioning your Distillate).  Small world!  I'm from KC originally; my late father bought his 1973 Precision Bass (and probably tons of other gear for his band) from Quigley Music.  It's the bass I learned to play on, and he left it to me when he passed; it's possibly my most treasured possession.  Tons of wear, but the Quigley Music sticker on the back of the headstock is still plain as day! 
Cheers

[gtrguy]

Had a Martin EB18 electric bass. Very well made and rare set neck but really average sounding. This one is a better version.

[gtrguy]

They are known as the Gumby bass, for obvious reasons.

[edwardofhuncote]

Gone, in two days. There must be someone else with curiosities as weird as mine. 

[gtrguy]

Pic of mine