Anyone else try using a pick with a fretless bass?

[Ric5]

I built this fretless bass here ...

It sounds and looks awesome ... the 4 band audere preamp really brings out some nice tones. I play it mostly fingerstyle with the fretless but is really sounds awesome played with a pick. So am I the only one who uses a pick with a fretless bass?

 

[not_jason]

For whatever reason, I've always felt really awkward about the idea of playing a fretless or a five string with a pick. I couldn't give you a single good reason. Most of my four string fretted playing is with a pick.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I tried it with my SX fretless P-Bass, wearing Fender 9050M's. Sounds great (P-Bass with flats + pick = ) so I dig it. To each their own. Awesome bass btw! Sound clips would be appreciated!!

 

[billy ayers]

yes, you might just be! very few players talk about that combo.
but that's what an experimental compass and one's natural inclinations will yield-
new results.

beautiful build, by the way! excellent-looking woods! congrats.

 

[Ric5]

I tried it with my SX fretless P-Bass, wearing Fender 9050M's. Sounds great (P-Bass with flats + pick = ) so I dig it. To each their own. Awesome bass btw! Sound clips would be appreciated!!

I will make some mp3s.

 

[FromTheBassMent]

I was messing around with "For The Love of Money" with a pick on my fretless the other day. It was okay. I really don't like the sound of a bass played with a pick, and I like a fretless with a pick less than a fretted bass.

But, I'll bet that someone who wanted to put some effort into it could make it work.

BTW, nice work on the bass, man. It's beautiful!

 

[Rezlax31]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12U9azs2Zr0

 

[Papazita]

 

[Baird6869]

I did a gig last night with a fretless and used a pick for a few tunes.

I really don't think about a fretless being any different than a fretted. If it calls for a pick (with me that is maybe 5% of the time), I use a pick.

P.S. GREAT looking bass! Kinda a Wal/Fender lovechild!

 

[j_nition]

thanks for that sledge hammer vid... One of those forgotten gems for sure!

 

[Ric5]

OK here it is with a pick ... Invalid Link Removed

And here is it fingerstyle ... Invalid Link Removed

I knew a fretless would sound good fingerstyle but I didn't expect the pick playing to work. I am still new to the whole fretless thing so I am experimenting.

Also it sounds different with the band at higher volume as opposed to plugging into my sound card on the computer.

 

[Bocete]

So cool at 2:30

 

[Korladis]

I use a pick sometimes with my acoustic fretless. It sounds good, though less thumpy than fingerstyle, of course.

 

[Simo98]

I always play my fretless with a pick (nearly always)

But I guess thats because i play almost exclusivly with a pick. It gives a really nice droning sound on my fretless P.

 

[keyzer]

From Catalunya, Spain.



Ahí es ná!

 

[Jazz Ad]

When I play a fretless with a pick it sounds dull so most of the time I don't.
I heard interesting results from others though.

 

[bolombo]

sounds ok to me...

 

[squashedOpossum]

Tony Franklin: -- intro with fingers, the rest is with a pick.

 

[boomtisk]

Personally I like the sound of a fretless played with a pick as it sounds pretty unique as there's some buzz that isn't fret buzz. Also, it sometimes sounds as if there's a chorus effect going on. It's sorta hard to put into words -- maybe that's why I like it.

 

[kevin newsham]

Tony Franklin: -- intro with fingers, the rest is with a pick.

You beat me to it, that is the video I was going to suggest. See what I get for sleeping in.