We have just gotten in this very rare & super early production Carl Thompson 4-string Bass. I have been a fan of Carl’s since 1976 when I saw my 1st “Lobster Claw” cutaway bass at Gracin’s Music in Hempstead, NY. for $650. & I said never can I afford one. I finally ordered 2 from Carl in 2006 that were his quintessential high end workmanship but have subsicuentially sold them off in recent years.

This Fretless machine was made on 10/3/75, consequently having the serial # of 10375, was discovered by an old friend & business buddy, Hap Kuffner, 1 of the original partners from Mandolin Bros. in Staten Island. Hap called me up & told me what he has & my 1st statement was all of Carl’s early stuff were “Fugly” & I’m not a fan. But after seeing pics from Carl’s shop, I saw this beautiful Jazz Bass symmetry & was blown away. Carl is famous for building the lightest weight basses for pro’s in need of some back & shoulder relief.

Now about the bass…its body appears to be made of a fabulous piece of swirly grained Red Mahogany inlaid w/stripes of Walnut & maple. Its got a dove-tailed maple neck w/a Lined Fretless Ebony fingerboard. The Jazz Bass shape is where Fender stops & Carl’s master craftsmanship takes over. Weighing in at a mere 8 lbs. 3 oz; this is a vibrating machine upon its 1st notes played. Its single Kent Armstrong pickup sounds delightful. Smooth & comfy…its got that light feel & that natural upright tone that hardly any company in the last 4 decades could emulate. She’s excellent overall & comes w/some great photos of Carl & Hap at Carl’s shop. She has a nice original square hard case.