• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Got a New Fretless!

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,285
120,422
Metro St. Louis
#1
I picked up my new G&L L-1505 fretless within the hour and played it for 15 minutes on an Eden rig at a store. This bass absolutely kills! It is Belair green with a matching headstock. It has an ebony fingerboard and ghostlines. The tone is gorgeous! It can get some serious booty, and the b string sounds great. The mwah is effortless, and this bass can get a Jaco sound without really trying.
I was having strong second thoughts about ordering a fretless since I mainly play Urban Gospel, and I know intonation takes time to master. Now that I have played this bass, it sounds so wonderful, that I will woodshed as much as I need to for reliable intonation. I will find a way to work this bass into playing at chruch or anywhere else I play. I really love my fretted five string, my USA Peavey Millennium, and this bass is the perfect fretless counterpart.:)

i know it's not real until I have pictures. I hope to get some up by the weekend.:hyper:
 
#4
After half an hour or so of playing at home, I am really glad I made this move. Certain aspects of my fingerstyle always seemed to lean towards a fretless tone, and this bass really brings that out. I am happy to say that at least initially, intonation doesn't seem like a big issue. I played along with that Jamiroquai link that has Paul Turner on a Avella-Coppolo, and I had no problem staying in tune playing "Cosmic Girl" and "Space Cowboy." I jammed along with several other tunes quite nicely also.

Another point is that the fretless seems to make it easier to play some songs than before. I could really nail Jaco's "Come On, Come Over" much more cleanly than before. I had no problem playing that tune at full Jaco speed either. I don't think I'll be going all fretless, but I can sure see me going close to 50/50.:)
 
#18
That's perfect far as I'm concerned; that's my one "nit" with a J bass. I know some will disagree, and you're welcome to your opinion of course, but I don't feel there's enough latent big phat lows...Sounds like you have that solved;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back