Fretted, fretless, or both?
Based out of Minnesota, Brown’s Guitar Factory has a unique take on electric bass with their Fretted/Less models. The design allows for half of the fingerboard to be fretted while the second half has a raised fretless section, which is elevated to the height of the fretted section to keep its proper scale. While BGF says the most popular version has the first octave fretted with the second octave fretless, the company also offers it reversed.
As the basses are built-to-order, the Fretted/Less has a variety of options. It can be built with 4, 5, or 6-strings, 34? or 35? scale, solid or chambered bodies and your choice of woods.
Though options are available, Brown tends to use active EMG pickups and Hipshot hardware. Several of the basses include a Kahler tremolo as well.
Brown’s Guitar Factory’s Fretted/Less basses have a base price around $2,100 for a 4-string model.
Brown’s Guitar Factory Fretted/Less Bass Photo Gallery:
