Who here only plays fretless bass?

fourstringbliss · #1 12-08-2012, 09:45 AM

Who here only plays fretless?

spade2you · #2 12-08-2012, 09:49 AM

I did for many years. I'm now playing half and half.

HaMMerHeD · #3 12-08-2012, 09:56 AM

I'm a fretless only kind of guy.

I started playing music on a Cello when I was 10. I switched to bass guitar when I was 16, excited about the frets because I figured they'd make it easier.

I switched to fretless bass 5 years ago. I have since sold all my fretted basses, since they hadn't been touched in a few years.

fourstringbliss · #4 12-08-2012, 10:06 AM

I'm asking because I've always played fretted but I'm going to be defretting one of my basses. I'm wondering if I'm going to like fretless better. It seems like it would be harder to play but it's probably just an adjustment.

dukeisdog · #5 12-08-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I'm asking because I've always played fretted but I'm going to be defretting one of my basses. I'm wondering if I'm going to like fretless better. It seems like it would be harder to play but it's probably just an adjustment.

I bought a fretless MM Stingray 5 with rosewood board, it was lined and a killer bass, but the fretless sound just didn't work with what I was going for. I could never get the bass to sound aggressive or dirty enough for my liking even with my Sansamp RBI's dialed in.

I've been kind of contemplating picking up a fretless Spector 5 string but don't know if I should expect the same tame sound out of the naturally more aggressive sounding Spector due to the fretless neck.

I feel like I would feel more accomplished as a player if I was strictly a fretless player, and would probably have a bit more fun playing fretless, but can't do it if the tone just isn't for me.

MD · #6 12-08-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

Who here only plays fretless?

I do.

fourstringbliss · #7 12-08-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

I bought a fretless MM Stingray 5 with rosewood board, it was lined and a killer bass, but the fretless sound just didn't work with what I was going for. I could never get the bass to sound aggressive or dirty enough for my liking even with my Sansamp RBI's dialed in.

I've been kind of contemplating picking up a fretless Spector 5 string but don't know if I should expect the same tame sound out of the naturally more aggressive sounding Spector due to the fretless neck.

I feel like I would feel more accomplished as a player if I was strictly a fretless player, and would probably have a bit more fun playing fretless, but can't do it if the tone just isn't for me.

I know what you mean about the potentially mellow tone but I'm coating my fingerboard in lacquer for protection and for a brighter sound.

Here are some Youtube clips of rock fretless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6G1vY40hTs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH9xDorFS7k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Irdz3SSf4

gumbynotpokey · #8 12-08-2012, 10:34 AM

I haven't taken my fretted out since I got my fretless.

spade2you · #9 12-08-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I'm asking because I've always played fretted but I'm going to be defretting one of my basses. I'm wondering if I'm going to like fretless better. It seems like it would be harder to play but it's probably just an adjustment.

Before defretting something, perhaps look at a used fretless. That way if you don't like it, you can always put it back on the TB classifieds.

fourstringbliss · #10 12-08-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade2you

Before defretting something, perhaps look at a used fretless. That way if you don't like it, you can always put it back on the TB classifieds.

That would be ideal, but the bass in question is an SX I already own and I've already pulled a fret. There's no going back on this one! I've got all the tools and supplies I'll need for the job so it's full steam ahead. If I don't like it I'm sure I could sell it on Craigslist, but I'm sure I'll like it fine - especially since I did the job.

fourstringbliss · #11 12-08-2012, 01:43 PM

Anyone else?

Matthew_84 · #12 12-08-2012, 01:52 PM

Not only fretless, but mainly. I really do prefer it. There's a lot more you can do with them, and I've found that for some reason, plucking in different areas create VERY different sounds. Same with a fretted, but it's more obvious on a fretless. If you play more towards the neck, or above it, you get a tone that's unique to fretless where as if you play down over the bridge pickup, it sounds more like a normal jazz, until you start doing vibrato and slides and whatnot. That said, I can see it's not for everyone. My other bass is a fretted Warwick that growls and is just a gnarly beast. Some things require different things. My fretless jazz has Ken Smith compressors on it, which are compressed roundwound. I'm in the market for a fretless P bass to put flats on.

skychief · #13 12-08-2012, 01:57 PM

I only play fretless.

But I would recommend you try a fretless at the local GC or Sam Ash (or whatever) before you yank the frets outa your bass.. You may decide its not "right" for you and you'll have saved yourself the frustration of ruining an otherwise perfectly good bass.

edit: Oops..i didnt read your #10 post. Oh well... nvm...

garak7 · #14 12-08-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade2you

I did for many years. I'm now playing half and half.

Same here.

StereoPlayer · #15 12-08-2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

Who here only plays fretless?

I do, I do.

Since the mid 70's

deste · #16 12-08-2012, 02:38 PM

I did it for a long while, but I was in the period when (due to a bad teacher) i quitted double bass.
Now I almost don't play fretless anymore, just when I'm asked to.

On the fretless I have an unpleasant Jaco-ism I'm trying to avoid (disclosure: he was a Giant, and maybe the first and greater influence on me. But it was onlly him who could play like that, there are to man Jaco-wannabees and I'm triyng to get my own -small, insignificant, but my own- voice)

RandyMolson · #17 12-08-2012, 02:52 PM

I do.

I started on DB before fretless basses. When I try fretted basses I put them down after 5 minutes. I just don't like them. Analog vs digital. It's odd because I will play a guitar without thinking about the frets, but when I play bass, it has to be fretless.

fourstringbliss · #18 12-08-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skychief

I only play fretless.

But I would recommend you try a fretless at the local GC or Sam Ash (or whatever) before you yank the frets outa your bass.. You may decide its not "right" for you and you'll have saved yourself the frustration of ruining an otherwise perfectly good bass.

edit: Oops..i didnt read your #10 post. Oh well... nvm...

Yup. Too late on this bass. It's going to work out fine, though. I'm sure I'll like it it's just a bit intimidating. I'm putting white plastic strips in for fretline markers so I'll be able to see where the frets used to be. It's also a fretted conversion so the side dots will be where i'm used to them being.

CJboogie · #19 12-08-2012, 04:05 PM

I had one of my basses defretted at the start of the yr, luvd it and now all my basses are fretless. There's no going back to frets for me!

fourstringbliss · #20 12-08-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJboogie

I had one of my basses defretted at the start of the yr, luvd it and now all my basses are fretless. There's no going back to frets for me!

I'm wondering if that's going to be me as well.