Should I begin with Fretted or Fretless?

bozeman4306 · #1 12-07-2008, 11:07 PM

I'm a guitar player and have always thought about trying bass. Finally decided to go for it and I am sure that i would like to play fretless electric but wonder if i should start learning on a fretted bass.
Any advice??

fretlessman71 · #2 12-07-2008, 11:11 PM

If you're really drawn to the fretless and have little use for the sound of a fretted bass, AND you know that your ear is pretty good, AND you're very patient and willing to work to get your intonation down, AND you won't be sad over not having a fretted bass to play Victor Wooten licks on, then by all means, follow your heart and get a fretless to start.

Otherwise, it's a long and bumpy road, and not for everyone. Go play a few at a music store and see how they feel/sound under your fingers. Best way to know for sure is to try.

If you were a total beginner/n00b, I'd highly suggest staying away from a fretless at first though. Just my $0.02.

svenbass · #3 12-07-2008, 11:35 PM

I'd go with whatever you are feeling - I don't think one is harder than the other. That said, I would give both a good solid audition and see where the chips fall. Have fun, and welcome to the low end!

Nidan · #4 12-08-2008, 04:29 AM

I'm primarily a guitar player, but have played bass for 20+ years . I loved the sound fo fretless and bought my Fender Jazz fretless when I started . All my bass player friends told me I was nuts.
My teacher however played fretless and fretted and was patient.

It is a bit more challenging, but as I play a lot of slide guitar and use to play viola , I didn't find it a deal breaker. It has forced me to become an accurate player and I love the expression it offers.

I am building a fretted bass, mostly for fun but I'll always prefer fretless. Best of luck with the adventure.

**pringlw** · #5 12-08-2008, 04:37 AM

You already play guitar so you can probably go straight to fretless. If you didn't play anything I'd probably advise starting for at least 6 months or so on a fretted bass just to get the basics down first. You already have the basics of managing a fretboard. I'd say jump into the fretless. I also love fretless.

Joe Nerve · #6 12-08-2008, 04:48 AM

You already know how to play guitar and you want to learn to play fretless bass. I can't think of a single benefit to playing fretted first.

D.Don · #7 12-08-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozeman4306

I'm a guitar player and have always thought about trying bass. Finally decided to go for it and I am sure that i would like to play fretless electric but wonder if i should start learning on a fretted bass.
Any advice??

I started with fretless, and no regrets really, just make sure you try to learn and not sneak peak all the time...

(I'm a keyboardplayer since 20 years, so music is really nothing new to me, but since you're a player already you're in the same boat here ie. should go fine imo).

D.Don

GreenFunkGuy · #8 12-10-2008, 01:46 AM

When I originally made the switch I thought I wanted a fretless too, but I'm happier I think with my fretted decision. Though I do sometimes dream...

D.Don · #9 12-10-2008, 03:18 AM

I should have stayed with fretless, after a cpl of months getting my first bass, fretless, I got a fretted bass too (mostly because of GAS and the one was a bargain), so I started to use and practice with the fretted one instead. Now some weeks ago I got me another fretless bass and have used that most of the time since then, but it's a bit tough to play it after having played more or less only fretted for a cpl of months, so now I have decided that I am gonna stay playing fretless most of the time.

D.Don

cnltb · #10 12-10-2008, 03:58 AM

Start with whatever you find the more interesting instrument to start with.
It's all the same really.
You need to practice on both.
A benefit of fretless is that you need to be more thorough when it gets to left hand technique as well as a need to make a habbit ofproper listening to yourselve.
Those will benefit your fretted playing.