Fretless and earplugs.

Benjamin Strange · #1 06-10-2008, 08:50 AM

I have a hard time playing fretless and protecting my ears at the same time. I don't have any dots and lines on my fretless instruments, so I have nothing to look at, but when I wear earplugs I lose so much high frequency information that playing in tune becomes problematic. Now, I'm not using the most high quality earplugs in the world, but they are supposedly designed to provide a mostly flat frequency response (which isn't true - it mutes the high end considerably). Here's something similar to what I'm using:

How are you guys playing fretless with earplugs? Do the super expensive molded earplugs provide a flatter frequency response? I don't enjoy playing fretted instruments much, but I don't enjoy sounding like an out of tune jackass either. Any suggestions?

lefty007 · #2 06-10-2008, 09:12 AM

You mean you don't even have side dots?

I have an unlined fretless with side dots and I wear super-cutting foam earplugs (33 dB reduction) and I can play in tune fine.

I have tried every earplug under the sun, and the custom-made one are flatter, but I found the material too hard and will be uncomfortable after long uses. And the only cut up to 21 dBs.

I'm at a point where I want to cut as much as I can, because I play so often, and for so many years, so I'm used to playing hearing a big muffled ball of sound.

Benjamin Strange · #3 06-10-2008, 09:24 AM

Nope - not even side dots.

Most of the situations I'm in, I'm not playing very loud - just loud enough to where I should be using plugs. Oftentimes, I'm the only chording instrument in the band - I play with a rather solo-happy guitarist, and he leaves me to hold everything down by myself for upwards of 5 minutes. It's pretty easy to wander off key when there's nothing to use as a reference.

superbassman2000 · #4 06-10-2008, 11:38 AM

my uncle is an audiologist and he has demanded many times that i get ear protection (i was playing in a loud rock band at the time, so it was merited) and so i gave in and got a set of custom molded ear plugs. He said that these were made specially for musicians and all it does is give a flat Xdb (i can't remember the number) decrease in volume. Everything sounds the same, just quieter. If you play a lot of shows where volume is an issue, you couldn't spend the money better imo.

I thought ear plugs were cheesy but once my metal project started practicing in a house (small room but they still demanded high volumes) i couldn't think of any other way to do it--its especially nice when everyone can't hear, but i take out the plugs and everything is just fine lol

lefty007 · #5 06-10-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

Nope - not even side dots.

Most of the situations I'm in, I'm not playing very loud - just loud enough to where I should be using plugs. Oftentimes, I'm the only chording instrument in the band - I play with a rather solo-happy guitarist, and he leaves me to hold everything down by myself for upwards of 5 minutes. It's pretty easy to wander off key when there's nothing to use as a reference.

In your case, I would definitely try the custom made plugs. You can change the filters which have different attenuation values, to fit your needs. They cost about $150 last time I checked.

As for the bass, I would definitely try to get a tech, luthier or repairmen to add side dots at least.

**Pacman** · #6 06-10-2008, 12:28 PM

I used molded earplugs all the time, even when I'm playing upright. The ER20s I've used have worked just as well.

fenderhutz · #7 06-10-2008, 12:29 PM

Save the headache. Get a tiny drill bit and some glow in the dark testers paint or a really good IEM system to control your own full range volume.

Why the torture of a completely unmarked fretless?

nsmar4211 · #8 06-10-2008, 03:11 PM

I have the custom ear plugs with the middle cut (15?) available.... love em (won't play near a drummer without em!). However, I have noticed I have some trouble hearing my tone with them in. The audiologist recommended that I set my tone *before* I put them in because I my bass would sound different....
I can still tell if I'm out of tune (on a fretted) or playing the wrong note though, so pitch didn't change....... and yea mine cost $150. Considering hearing aids cost $3000...cheap...

I have a fretless that only has a few side dots, and they aren't on the frets! Think I'd rather have an unmarked one.....

Dirk Diggler · #9 06-10-2008, 07:11 PM

How about in ear monitors? I know I really like to hear the fretless when I play mine.
I do understand your issue, I have a tough time when I use my Norton Sonic Ear (similar to yours but basically just a DB reducer), and playing fretless.
Dirk

Pilgrim · #10 06-10-2008, 10:59 PM

I wear decent ear plugs at all times while playing - and I fully admit that it prevents me from hearing nuances in the music. Without them, I can always tell whether I'm a half-step off; with them, I often simply cannot tell. Sucks.

I have decided this is an acceptable trade-off to protect my hearing.

The best antidote I've found is to occasionally sit down with the guitarists and play an acoustic set - no drums, just my acoustic/electric and their acoustics. With no ear plugs required, we can all hear the music better and refine what we're playing.