anyone play fretless with a pick?

flywheel · #1 09-12-2004, 03:35 PM

I know most of you would think this is pretty strange but I always play my fretless with a pick. I've always played with a pick b/c I started out as a guitar player and I could always get more attack, muting control, and speed with a pick than I could with my fingers. I tried playing the fretless when I first got it with my fingers for a more smooth tone but I just couldn't get the speed and control I wanted with my fingers. I've already recorded a little jam thing with it and it sounds good to me but I'm just curious if anyone else plays fretless with a pick.

I recently read an article on Joe Osborn and he is also a pick player. Anybody know if he ever used fretless for recording?

jenderfazz · #2 09-12-2004, 03:36 PM

I play with a pick once in a while on my fretless. It has a very unique sound. I like it a lot actually.

74rickbass · #3 09-12-2004, 08:06 PM

I think sting played a fretless Ibanez artist and fretless p-bass with a pick during his earlier police days. It sounded good.

Fealach · #4 09-12-2004, 09:14 PM

For one song I do. This one song has lots of muted notes, and works best with the deep, dark sound my fretless can do better than my other basses can.

xcental34x · #5 09-12-2004, 10:00 PM

I'd never use a pick for fretless. It just doesn't feel right....although I'm perfectly ok with playing fretted basses with a pick.

I almost slapped my oddball friend once for playing a Cort Curbow fretless with a pick in a store, once.

red-hot-bassist · #6 09-13-2004, 02:18 AM

i play my fretless with roundwounds and a pick with the trebles boosted to a painfull high

gives me a trully abrasive and excellet jaggy sound which allows me to cut through like nuthin else!! gives the sound more character than a fretted bass!!

rx jr. · #7 09-13-2004, 04:07 AM

didn't justin chancellor of TOOL do that for "Reflection"?

bassaussie · #8 09-13-2004, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flywheel

I know most of you would think this is pretty strange but I always play my fretless with a pick. I've always played with a pick b/c I started out as a guitar player and I could always get more attack, muting control, and speed with a pick than I could with my fingers. I tried playing the fretless when I first got it with my fingers for a more smooth tone but I just couldn't get the speed and control I wanted with my fingers. I've already recorded a little jam thing with it and it sounds good to me but I'm just curious if anyone else plays fretless with a pick.

I recently read an article on Joe Osborn and he is also a pick player. Anybody know if he ever used fretless for recording?

Mate, if it get's the sound you desire, it doesn't really matter if anyone else does it. The only rule is that there aren't any!!

As for Joe Osborn, I don't think I've ever head of him using a fretless, but who knows, maybe he pulled one out for a few sessions.

bassaussie · #9 09-13-2004, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcental34x

I almost slapped my oddball friend once for playing a Cort Curbow fretless with a pick in a store, once.

Why? Is there a rule that says that's not allowed? I say more power to him for doing something different.

red-hot-bassist · #10 09-13-2004, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskim86

didn't justin chancellor of TOOL do that for "Reflection"?

couldnt tell you,

not really my bag baybay

Rusty Chainsaw · #11 09-13-2004, 07:29 AM

Tony Levin. Fretless Musicman Cutlass (graphite-neck Stingray) + pick = Sledgehammer.

Russ

bassaussie · #12 09-13-2004, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XO-Bionic

Tony Levin. Fretless Musicman Cutlass (graphite-neck Stingray) + pick = Sledgehammer.

Russ

Really?!! I always thought he slapped that part.

Rusty Chainsaw · #13 09-13-2004, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassaussie

Really?!! I always thought he slapped that part.

Nope, it's picked. Lots of compression, an octaver and a pick. He was talking about it in an old issue of BP. You can hear the pick if you listen carefully.

Russ

Frank Martin · #14 09-13-2004, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskim86

didn't justin chancellor of TOOL do that for "Reflection"?

Yep. He always plays with a pick and that song was done on his fretless Wal

bassaussie · #15 09-13-2004, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XO-Bionic

Nope, it's picked. Lots of compression, an octaver and a pick. He was talking about it in an old issue of BP. You can hear the pick if you listen carefully.

Russ

Well there you go!!! Who says you don't learn something new every day!!

Thanks for that!

The Hammer · #16 09-13-2004, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XO-Bionic

Tony Levin. Fretless Musicman Cutlass (graphite-neck Stingray) + pick = Sledgehammer.

Russ

I could be wrong but I believe that Tony used his funk fingers on that one and "Red Rain" as well. The funk fingers are the drumsticks that he attaches to his fingers to strike the bass with.

Richard Lindsey · #17 09-13-2004, 10:03 AM

I believe Carles Benavente (Spanish guy, played with Chick Corea for a time a while back) plays fretless with a pick.

On the subject of picks and fretless, I believe it's actually a rather common combination for Middle Eastern oud players.

Rusty Chainsaw · #18 09-13-2004, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hammer

I could be wrong but I believe that Tony used his funk fingers on that one and "Red Rain" as well. The funk fingers are the drumsticks that he attaches to his fingers to strike the bass with.

I know... I own a pair...

This was from the horse's mouth in a BP interview a while ago (the one with the orange-ish cover with him holding his 3-string Musicman). According to that interview, there's plenty of other techniques used there as well, including the funk fingers, and the "super wonder nappy bass"!

Russ

**HeavyDuty** · #19 09-13-2004, 10:09 AM

Better in Technique - moved.

brianrost · #20 09-13-2004, 11:59 AM

Hmmm. lessee...Sting, Rick Danko, Bill Wyman all played fretless with a pick.