The Fretless Bass in a Selmer shaped case.
This has no Selmer number on headstock rear - so I assume that it is a private import from Europe. A previous owner had placed a name/date sticker under the metal neck plate dated 1972. It has a 'Made in Germany' transfer on the headstock rear.
Having examined the fretboard and the unusual
position markers on the top of the board, I believe that it was constructed as a
fretless. The fretboard and neck is of good quality construction and finishing.
The dark fretboard is of a very hard wood which displays virtually no string
grooving. It was fitted with (Hofner?) flatwounds which would help reduce wear I
think. The neck is definitely Hofner - all dimensions are correct. However, the
heel is lower than my other 185/Artist, which brings the strings closer to the
pick-up tops.
Overall, its in good condition - unfortunately
there were two fine body cracks emanating from the neck joint over the body for
a couple of inches - the previous owner didn't tell me about this (shame). I
injected PVA into these cracks and then reset and glued the neck in place after
a truss rod adjustment (it was slack and the neck was bowed). These cracks were
unusual because they had been caused by forces applied in the opposing direction
to string tension - I wondered if someone had sat down on the bass, while it was
facing downwards - on a chair perhaps ?!.
Anyway, the repairs and the joint/body are now solid - the very hard dark wood
on the fretboard looks great when oiled. Both pickups work but are slightly
microphonic (not re-wound yet !) but I had to re-solder the electrics. It is now
a nice guitar with a unique sound. (I also did some lacquer repairs of cracks
with paint-on superglue - lightly rubbed down with fine "wet &
dry" lubricated with T cut, and then polished with T cut and polish - makes
quite a good repair !!).