Anyone tried the Neuser "fretless" bridge?

[Dan Knowlton]

I saw a post a while back that talked about the release of a bridge by Neuser that would make your fretted bass sound like a fretless by moving a part of the bridge. The info on the Neuser site says you can easily retrofit it to other basses. Has anyone tried it, and how did it sound?

Here's the url:

Invalid Link Removed


Dan K.

 

[bigblondeafro87]

....well it looks cool, sounds beautiful, is easy to install, and is much easier than learning a fretless. How much?

 

[Happynoj]

I don't think it sounds like a fretless. I wouldn't bother, it's not very convincing.

 

[Espidog]

Agreed, it doesn't sound like a real fretless - but it's a great sound anyway. If it was affordable and I had a bass it would fit (I can't see it working on a rick 4003), I'd buy one.

 

[g00eY]

it sounds a little like fretless, but there's something missing. i just don't know what it is.

 

[Machines]

It kinda defeats the point I think. A fretless bass is more about expression - you cant do so as much on a fretted bass.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Well, some of the places I play are pretty dark and having the fretless sound would be nice. I might want to try it for those times. I'm still not at a point where I could comfortable play fretless in the dark while reading charts!

Dan K.

Post number 700! for me.

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

Sounds like a bass sitar to me.

 

[tplyons]

It doesn't sound like a fretless bass to me. I'd take the real thing which isn't that much harder to play anyway.

 

[Ed Goode]

It doesn't sound like a fretless bass to me. I'd take the real thing which isn't that much harder to play anyway.

I agree .... it doesn't sound like a fretless, really, and that's with Dominique DiPiazza playing it. If you put that same bass in my considerably less talented hands, it'd probably sound nothing like a fretless

But it does have a cool sound, though. It might be nice to have that tonal option, but that would depend totally on the cost to have it installed .....

 

[vene-nemesis]

I wonder how does it works.

If i put it in a fretless bass do i get twice as fretless sound????

And what you guys are missing on there is that deep mwah you get on a real fretless

 

[vintager]

i wouldn't bash it for not exactly simulate fretless. i think its nice invention and love dominique's work with that toy (e.g. front page with dennis chambers and bireli). his chordal style could not be played on fretless that way..

 

[Baryonyx]

Anything that adds mwah to harmonics has got to be a bit dodgy! Still, it's a neat toy and well, if you want it, it's there for you to use. I prefer the sound of a real fretless though, plus, I think people get so hung about playing fretless and forget to have fun!

 

[MobileHolmes]

It sounds decent enough

 

[RareBear]

I wonder how does it works...

Indeed. That site description was sorely lacking.

If i put it in a fretless bass do i get twice as fretless sound????

 

[The Dave]

Hmmm... $275 from Allparts for Chrome 4 String... I'd probably be in at $100, just to see what it's like.

Here's a better description that I found in the archives at www.bassplayer.com

It began with an idea from phenomenal flamenco bassist Dominique Di Piazza and was developed by Finnish bass builder Neuser. And just days before the Musikmesse began, Neuser received a patent. The Neuser F Plus is an innovative bridge modification for fretted basses that mechanically creates the blossoming sound of fretless. A sliding lever is mounted over each string’s saddle; push it toward the pickups for remarkable fretless mwah, even on open strings; push it back toward the bridge and it’s back to a normal fretted-bass sound. Neuser hopes to offer the device as a retrofit that can be installed on any number of instruments for around €390.
Neuser Basses, Espoo, Finland Invalid Link Removed

 

[tripb19]

It sounds decent enough

+1

 

[fretless Bob]

i like the way it sounds, fine it isnt spot on but it is pretty close.


Dave

 

[The Dave]

It is a cool effect. The tone and mwaah kinda remind me of Tears in Heaven.

BTW - 50 points to the first one to name the song played in the demo on Neuser's website!!!

 

[The Dave]

50 points to the first one to name the song played in the demo on Neuser's website!!!

Alright, nobody knows, (or nobody cares) but it was How Great Thou Art!!! 50 POINTS FOR ME!!!!!!