Beginner.. fretless OK??

pizmeyre · #1 04-19-2007, 12:37 AM

Hello all,

I am preparing to learn Bass guitar and will soon be purchasing my first bass. My only previous experience is about a month or so of learning the acoustic guitar.

My question is, is it OK to start out learning Bass on a fretless?

I know it will be a bit more difficult, but I LOVE the way they sound. Should I ignore this and go fretted instead?

Any and all opinions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pizmeyre

bburk · #2 04-19-2007, 12:58 AM

Sounds like you want to be a fretless player. If that's what you like, then do that.

I guess it might be a little more difficult in the beginning, but it will force you to critically listen to yourself. There are a few things that are somewhat easier about fretless too (fret buzz comes to mind). Plus, in the end, if you can play fretless, moving to fretted should be a no-brainer.

AlphaMale · #3 04-19-2007, 02:30 AM

You quit guitar?
Might wanna start out on a cheaper bass to make sure you don't invest too much into something you might not stick with (meaning a fretted).
I have a pedal with a fretless simulator. Also depending what Genre you play Fretted might be a better choice. It's not that easy to learn fretless from what I've seen. I've seen violinists stand in front of a chart all day trying to do the major scale to make sure they get the right position just so they can play some simple folk song.
Fretless requires more skill (Not saying fretless players are more talented but it does require more talent)
I haven't met a fretless player who didn't start out on a fretted. And another thing to keep in mind I like the sound of an Ibanez BTB, but I'm waiting untill later to get one.
Just take it easy. Most people don't start out with a pedal, but they do attain the sound they want later.
Start out on a 4 string fretless after about 8 months you can change to a fretless.
And keep in mind that fretless are used mostly by Jazz bassists, which isn't the easiest genre to play bass for.

WarriorJoe7 · #4 04-19-2007, 02:31 AM

get a fretless bass!!!

stillborn86 · #5 04-19-2007, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bburk

Sounds like you want to be a fretless player. If that's what you like, then do that.

I guess it might be a little more difficult in the beginning, but it will force you to critically listen to yourself. There are a few things that are somewhat easier about fretless too (fret buzz comes to mind). Plus, in the end, if you can play fretless, moving to fretted should be a no-brainer.

I completely agree. If you want a fretless, go fretless. And Money is not and issue at all. You can easily find a fretless for cheap. It won't be the best guitar out there, but you don't need that if you're just starting out. I would give this a good thorough looking over and decide from there. Sure it's a Fullerton, but you don't want to go out and buy a Rob Allen at this stage.

Shoewreck · #6 04-19-2007, 04:41 AM

With a lined fretless you will be able to see what note you play. And have a good ear to intonate better.

lomo · #7 04-19-2007, 05:03 AM

Go straight to fretless if it's what moves you!

Rob Palmer · #8 04-19-2007, 05:11 AM

Of course you can go straight to fretless!

60,000,000 violin/viola/cello/double bass players can't all be wrong!

The secret is to make sure you LISTEN to your lines and keep in touch with the intonation at all times but, in a nutshell, this is only one additional aspect of playing a new instrument and applies just as much 20 years in as it does on day one. There are 1,000 other important things to deal with as well (timing, phrasing, tone etc) so intonation is simply another aspect of learning your instrument. Any suggestion that fretless is 'harder' than fretted is kinda missing the point really.

And you are right - fretless is sooooooo much more expressive and worth the extra effort.

Good luck

Rob (dedicated fretless player for 21 years)

mlbarlow · #9 04-19-2007, 05:13 AM

think about it ... they don't make fretted violins ... they start someplace

pizmeyre · #10 04-19-2007, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'm just gonna take the plunge.

I've actually been looking at the Squier Vintage Modified fretless jazz bass. Decent price, and all the reviews seem to be pretty positive.

Take care,
-Pizmeyre

BassChuck · #11 04-19-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Palmer

60,000,000 violin/viola/cello/double bass players can't all be wrong!

I love that. Go for it. It will take a little longer to get up to performance speed, but that's not really a problem as long as you know about it and are patient.

The only real difference (and I play both), is that the need for a teacher at the begining stages is probably a little more for fretless. Most of those 60,000,000 string players had private lessons I'm guessing.

lemur821 · #12 04-19-2007, 01:18 PM

+1 for fretless. If you want to play one, you'll have to spend as much time getting used to it as a person who started on fretted would, but you'll get it out of the way sooner.

seanm · #13 04-19-2007, 03:35 PM

I find that in the low end bass models, it tends to be the fretwork that really suffers. A fretless won't have that problem

And it may be harder, but if fretless is the sound you want, you will be more motivated.

PaleMelanesian · #14 04-19-2007, 03:44 PM

I started on fretless and I still play fretless. Go for it!

pizmeyre · #15 04-19-2007, 10:22 PM

Welp, I frickin did it!

I picked up a brand spankin' new Squier Fretless and a chepo 10W Peavy amp.

Let the pain begin!!!!

-Pizmeyre

bburk · #16 04-19-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizmeyre

Welp, I frickin did it!

I picked up a brand spankin' new Squier Fretless and a chepo 10W Peavy amp.

Let the pain begin!!!!

-Pizmeyre

Congrats and enjoy! Welcome to the club.

gottawalk · #17 04-19-2007, 10:29 PM

congrats!, and have fun! I picked up a fretless, (finally) a few years back and I wish I had done it many years ago! Love the feel and sound. Enjoy!

stillborn86 · #18 04-20-2007, 12:13 PM

Good job. I'm sure you made the right decision (you seemed to want it enough) and are going to be really happy. Just stick with it and you'll be amazed with what you'd accomplish with it.

**WillPlay4Food** · #19 04-20-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Palmer

Of course you can go straight to fretless!

60,000,000 violin/viola/cello/double bass players can't all be wrong!

...

This is what I was going to say. When I played violin in a previous life, there were no fretted models. What did help was a piece of masking tape on the back of the violin that marked off home base for my thumb. On a fretless bass I'd put the tape where the third note (or fret) is located.

lemur821 · #20 04-20-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillPlay4Food

This is what I was going to say. When I played violin in a previous life, there were no fretted models. What did help was a piece of masking tape on the back of the violin that marked off home base for my thumb. On a fretless bass I'd put the tape where the third note (or fret) is located.

Unless it's lined, of course.