• 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.

Convince me why I should consider a fretless

#41
40Hz said:
As a fretless player, I'm not going to try to convince you of anything. However, you're welcome to tell us why you think you should get one.

There's really no intrinsic advantage or disadvantage to a fretless bass. It's its own instrument, with its own requirements and considerations - as well as its own capabilities. If you want those capabilities, you get a fretless bass and learn to become comfortable playing it. There's no huge mystery or secret, despite what some fretless players may try to tell you. It's just another bass instrument. If you get one, and you're like most players who do, you'll know in less than 6 months if it's going to work for you.

As far as what you could gain or lose trying one, the short answer is nothing, other than a little of your time, and possibly some money if you end up unloading your fretless at a loss should you decide it's not your thing.

One minor consideration…most of us who can play a fretless don't get a lot of calls to do so. I figure I only play fretless about 5% of the time on average. So that's something else to consider because it will take some time and a fairly serious commitment on your part to get up to speed. And it will also require regular practice after that to maintain it. IMO it's a pretty big price to pay unless (a) you have a definite need to play one, or (b) you just love the thing and don't care about the cost in time and effort.

I think they're great and well worth it. But that's me. YMMV.

Luck! :thumbsup::)
Click to expand...

I play my fretless 99% of the time in all styles of music. I've shown up to auditions for hard rock, pop, 80s tribute and classic rock bands with only a fretless and been hired every time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMacBass65
#43
I got the bug after listening to Paul Simon's Graceland.

It's a lot of fun to play, and it's a "freer" playing experience, as odd as that sounds.
However, mine is pretty much just for church as we use IEM's, and I still don't totally trust my intonation and muscle memory to be good enough at a bar gig where I'm lucky to have a monitor within 10 feet of me.
That may change, but I'm not holding my breath, and it's no big deal either way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMacBass65
#45
1) The punchy, thumpy, naturally compressed sound of a fingerfunk line played on fretless.
2) Smooth glissando
3) A more vocal expressiveness
4) Microtones
5) Versatility. I can play anything that I would on a fretted bass and loads of things that I can't. Stainless roundwounds can help for a fretted sound, but may be a bit rough on the fingerboard.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout
#50
The only way to convince yourself is to try one and see what you think of it. There's no "advantage" to owning a fretless. Actually, on the contrary, it's more accurately a disadvantage when it comes to precision (Hence Leo's reason for the name of his product). It takes a lot of practice to get acquainted with locking in on them. Once you figure it out though, the only "advantage" is you get some seriously buttery response from them. No advantage. Just a different beast all together imo. Try one!
 
#51
Might not convince you to get a frettless. But having bought one to own myself. For a few songs I have done in composing for my own originals. One true and good thing it helped me with. Was feeling comfortable on the neck and knowing where I am, with my notes and scales. Without having to look down at my bass neck all the time, or even take a glance when I'm playing fretted or frettless.
 
#52
I started on an upright, after the violin and a stint on cello. I still play fretted instruments too. Fretless is my number one. I can get a fretted instrument's intonation @ 100% and still feel at about the 7 or 9th fret the intonation starts to drift, so I'll set up intonation so I can tweak this compromise of frets by being able to pull the string slightly sharp into intonation.

The characteristic of the fretless that I really like is the warmth of attack and the quicker decay of sustain, the two major differences between it and the fretted bass. It makes for a much more organic sound to my ears.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nofretsplz and RickyWoo
#55
I only tried fretless because of a few specific bass players who played fretless and the tones they were getting.

Otherwise, I don't think I would have bothered.

Perhaps if I had started on upright, it might have felt more natural when I transiitioned to electric bass to stick with a fretless instrument

But to have a history with fretted basses and no purpose or goal with a fretless sounds like a hit-or-miss proposition to me.
 
#58
I cannot address the current reasons to own a Fretless. Back in 1972 they were relatively uncommon, and I owned a 1972 Fretless P. It was gorgeous with all the shiny chrome etc. The musicians I met were all impressed by it, so much so I made some OK coin gigging with it as my imperfections were overlooked. A couple of “Band Girls” were also impressed, and I was not overlooked.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bare Bass
#59
Skokiaan said:
I play my fretless 99% of the time in all styles of music. I've shown up to auditions for hard rock, pop, 80s tribute and classic rock bands with only a fretless and been hired every time.
Click to expand...

That's great. You're luckier than I've ever been. In the last few years fretless has dropped out of vogue in the not very lofty circles I roll in. Most times they just want a PBass. Which is a shame. Because I used to get nearly every fretless gig I tried out for. :)
 
#60
kkaarrll said:
6. No marking, really has made me better, even on my fretted
Click to expand...

This! Big time! I have an unlined fretless (just to try something new) and although it doesn't have a practical use in my live playing, it forces me to really concentrate on every single note when I practice. Especially double and triple stops, if your fingers aren't precisely placed, it'll sound so sour. I never play fretless live but everytime I need a challenge, it's in the corner eggin' me on.... and I love it for that
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back