How hard is it to move from fretted to fretless?

[Rocks]

I've been wanting to try playing fretless bass but have never had a chance to try one before. When I see one in a music store I feel to embarrassed to just pick one up and try it for fear that I'll make some terrible noise. Is it a lot of work to get used to playing fretless after playing fretted for many years?

[Basshoofd]

Who cares how terrible you are at fretless, just try it! I found it to be fairly easy to be 'ok' at fretless. Getting really good will take tons of practice, depending on what you play. Just pick one up and play. There's no secret to fretless bass, just less metal to get in the way

[Craig630]

I've never pulled the trigger myself, but I've picked a few up in stores.

NO FEAR!!! - Pick it up, hook it up, and crank it up!

Try playing something you're very familiar with, I thought for sure I'd sound way off trying it out, but I was suprised at how accurate I was with no frets. Sure some of the notes sounded a little off (1/4 step or so) but I don't think anyone in earshot other tham me could tell.

I'm looking at those SX fretless basses and might pick one up (YAY payday!) I just have to order it before I look at my bills

[Emibass]

I have the same fear but every time a grab one I realize that I like it more and more and once I played with a drummer and said I´m in tune ....maybe it has something to do with 3 years of upright bass that I did 11 years ago....

Just grab it and play it...think that you´re alone and play for you...

[Coop Soup]

I started playing cello at age 9 (I'm 35 now) so the transition wasn't difficult. It is like anything else. It takes practice. Damn GAS, now I want a fretless again... although I'm all about 32" scale these days... which limits my options.

[ffutterman]

Originally Posted by Basshoofd

I found it to be fairly easy to be 'ok' at fretless. Getting really good will take tons of practice, depending on what you play.

Very true. Just go to a store or something and try it out. Find a lined fretless and just remember to fret on/near the lines rather than between them.

[tedsalt]

Originally Posted by Rocks

When I see one in a music store I feel to embarrassed to just pick one up and try it for fear that I'll make some terrible noise. Is it a lot of work to get used to playing fretless after playing fretted for many years?

It's still a bass, and not a violin. It does help to have a good ear, and if you're off a little just adjust. Give it a whirl, they can have really nice tone!

[Rocks]

I'm actually gassing for this one: http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ass?sku=519637 It has lines and sure looks sweet.

[Stick_Player]

I want a fretless again... although I'm all about 32" scale these days... which limits my options.

My 10 year-old son has an SX SJB-62 Short Scale Fretless 3TS, and it's really a nice bass ($100).



Go for it!

OP, not hard at all. Get one!

I have a fretless Yamaha BB5000 strung E-C. Great for soloing!

[MNAirHead]

Fretless is one that makes a huge difference to have quality basses.

IT's nice to be able to dial in overtones..

then pick a scale that's the same as your other basses.... turn out the lights.. put on headphones.. and play a bunch of tunes learning to correct your intonation.

Tim

[Jaco D]

Been dabbling with a fretless these past few months, and one thing I noticed is that I seemed to have improved my fretted bass playing a bit. I guess its because you can't afford to do "sloppy" fretting on a fretless, which can be corrected without your knowing it by the frets on a fretted bass. Now, since you play a fretless close to the fret lines (I'm using a lined fretless by the way) I seem to have carried that action over to my fretted playing.

[Shaky]

Just emailed Kurt today about when he expects more standard scale fretless SX basses in. He emailed me right back and said this fall.

[SteveChatterton]

I transitioned from guitar to fretless bass guitar when a friend gave me a gift I wasn't expecting in exchange for some pro bono freelance work and I didn't have much problem with it at all.

So long as your ears are fairly well developed you shouldn't have too much trouble getting the whole intonation thing together.

Now I can't wait to transition from fretless to fretted bass.

[Rocks]

I'm going for the squire VM jazz, I must own it. I currently play a couple MIM p-basses and an early 80's Guild SB602. I think I'll play the fretless for all at home practice and play the p-bass with the band until I'm ready to break out the fretless. I practice between 3-5 hours a day at least 4 day a week so I'm hoping to get real comfortable with the fretless without my bandmates knowing about it and then one day just show up with the fretless and get funky with my bad self

[JBuckley]

Originally Posted by Rocks

I'm actually gassing for this one: http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ass?sku=519637 It has lines and sure looks sweet.

+1 I played one of these at my local GC and it's really nice.

[rick0link]

best advice: be like Nike and Just Do It!

i gave up on fretted bass a few years back to play fretless exclusively. it does take a lot of practice, but it's totally worth giving it a shot.

good luck!

[Rocks]

I have a peterson strobe tuner that is always running when I'm playing and I often watch it as I play to make sure my intonation is good. I'm thinking this habit will help me get used to the fretless faster.

[rick0link]

Steve Bailey said it best: "Playing fretless isn't about playing IN tune, it's about playing OUT of tune."

[Rocks]

Originally Posted by rick0link

Steve Bailey said it best: "Playing fretless isn't about playing IN tune, it's about playing OUT of tune."

I can do that!

[rick0link]

Originally Posted by Rocks

I can do that!

Me too!!!!