Am I an absolute outlier?

[MovinTarget]

If your "style" constantly has you up at the 24th fret, are you sure you are not just a frustrated guitarist? LOL.

Peter Hook has some thoughts on that

Oh, and didn't you know? Many guitarists behave the way they do (i.e. showing off, etc) because they are really just frustrated bassist deep down...

 

[Jim Haggerty]

Yes, this means that I can't do Fender basses.

I have a Stu Hamm Signature Fender Urge II, which has 24 frets, so 8th bass for your stable?!

 

[Kael]

The only way I would be ok at this point with an extended reach fingerboard is if there was a bigger cutaway to access the higher register. No way am I interested in moving the money region (first five "frets") further away from me for easier access to the high pitched meedly-meedly notes (anything over say the 15th "fret") that no one really wants to hear from the bassist anyways.

 

[Frank Vozak]

So, to preface this, I currently have seven basses, which, yes, is excessive. My horde includes a fretless six string custom Thor Bass, a fretless five string Ibanez, a fretted five string ESP, a fretted six string Ibanez, a fanned fret five string Ibanez, a four string Ibanez, and a four string ESP. The one thing all my basses have in common is that they all have at least 24 frets (one of my fretless basses has 30, technically). I cannot deal with playing on 20 fret necks. It screws with my entire usual play style. Yes, this means that I can't do Fender basses. At all. I know, that's an unpopular opinion, but I cannot be alone in the "I need 24 frets to do my job properly" camp. Or am I? You tell me! Constructive comments welcome.

What matters is what works for you

 

[Jamin of NouS]

Ted- I have and love a Fender Urge II “Stu Hamm” signature bass. It has 24 frets! plus it carries both the Jazz and Precision pickups. It is really light and a dream to play... I believe there are a few other signature Fenders with 24 frets, but I prefer the active pick-ups and overall sound of the Urge II. I also have a PRS Gary Grainger 5 string which also has 24 frets and is also a dream to play. My other 2 are a Rick 4001 and a Fender American Elite Jazz 5 string... these are not 24 fret basses, but I think each bass serves a purpose...

 

[Merlo79]

Why would it be an unpopular opinion that some basses don't suit you? It all depends what you play. I could do with 12 frets only on all my basses.

 

[candiehappy]

My favorite bass is a mid-80's Honda Flash by Harry Fleishman.

32 fret 4 string no headstock or body to mention.

Even though the neck is not the slimmest it plays extremely fast and easy.

 

[Frank Vozak]

If I had the money I would buy the three string bass B-E-A.
I honestly avoid playing on the D and the G because I don't like the tone.

 

[wluffman]

I don't normally care to venture into the higher octaves, which I consider guitar territory; I'd rather stay in the low end. But you do you, and I'll do me

 

[dasherf17]

Imagine having piano lessons on a full size piano, then playing in a band with a 61-key synth...or...>gulp<...a 49'er...

 

[ELDUB22lws]

I honestly love my 24 fret bass - when I am playing by myself.
When I play with others - well, I have better things to do than noodle around on the high registers. It gets me away from the bass drum, and the bass drum is my buddy.
I used to noodle around a lot more on the high registers, and then I didn't have a band, so I don't do that thing anymore.

 

[amper]

20 frets? What kind of bass has only 20 frets?

 

[kentdproctor]

To answer your question, whilst you are in a minority, you do have 15% of TBers with you:View attachment 4254904

This is a hilarious poll! I'm totally in the 15 is plenty, and I reckon half of the 20 fretters are too! Hahaha. Seriously though, huge respect to those who can dangle up past 15. I can't. But, I'm admittedly mediocre at best.

 

[Jinobass1]

It’s all good,U need 24f?
that’s what you need then.
times are changing and playing style is always changing.
what ever makes u happy and be musical, then so be it!
playing certain style calls for different tone, different axe.
When I first stated out on mustang bass (19f) I needed more ....so I got a Yamaha BB2000 (21f)
Then eventually jazz bass(fender (20f)and other Jazz bass with 24f),alembic(24f) Steinberger(24)
5string(22f)(24)
6string (24)
5String Fretless(24,32)
Then needed precision (20f) and Stingray, Hofner violin bass,etc. and I realized i was getting other basses for certain tone I was looking for...but if you get use to 24f, I felt like you :what I always needed was 24!
Then I got older and for certain songs I didn’t need 24f and found another way of playing w/o 24f.
But that’s just me....we are all created equal but what we create is not equal so it’s good to be different!
Keep the bottom and have fun !!

 

[W3DW]

My '86 Roadstar II has 24, and was my only bass for 30 years and I find shorter basses a bit disorienting. I rarely play up there but the 24th fret marks the harmonics, and the visual symmetry helps me when I do wander up high. I honestly don't use the top 6 "frets" of my Portamento, but all that unmarked rosewood is lovely!
W3DW

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

If your "style" constantly has you up at the 24th fret, are you sure you are not just a frustrated guitarist? LOL.

Most guitarists play at the end of their neck during solos, some do it almost every song. What kind of frustrated instrumentalists are they? :/

 

[Art1234]

I find this post to be very interesting. I prefer the full range meaning 24 frets but, I’ll play any size bass. 24 frets is like a security blanket.

 

[MonetBass]

Yes, this means that I can't do Fender basses. At all.

Are you sure about that?

 

[davidjudd2]

If I had the money I would buy the three string bass B-E-A.
I honestly avoid playing on the D and the G because I don't like the tone.

I've made a couple of those and you're right. I rarely get past the 7th fret on the D string...

 

[Jack Deth]

Are you sure about that?
View attachment 4258686

I just obtained a Stu Hamm Urge II (as others have mentioned they have). Love it, and love having the 24 frets.