"Digging In" On A Fretless

[Outshined91]

So I've been listening to slightly heavier music recently, and was playing along to some Metallica ("St. Anger"). I dig in a lot into the strings and play heavily when I'm playing fast/heavier rock. Is this bad for a fretless fingerboard? Will more wear appear and faster?

 

[FRoss6788]

Maybe...

Play what you want, how you want.
Basses are tools to make music. Tools wear out and sometimes need service, no big deal.
Why would you abstain from playing the music you like with the energy and aggression it deserves because some wear may show on the instrument?

Rock on!

 

[lat]

Maybe...

Play what you want, how you want.
Basses are tools to make music. Tools wear out and sometimes need service, no big deal.
Why would you abstain from playing the music you like with the energy and aggression it deserves because some wear may show on the instrument?

Rock on!

Can't argue with that logic!

 

[Tazziedevil]

It won’t wear out any faster digging in. You slide around, up and down all the time with a Fretless. If one day it does show some wear, you can always get the neck planed again.

 

[Wisebass]

hi Outshined91

I dig in a lot into the strings and play heavily when I'm playing fast/heavier rock.

Is this bad for a fretless fingerboard? Will more wear appear and faster?

As long as you don' t play with a lot of clank (the strings hitting the fretboard) you won' t have a difference.

More wear will appear when you play more! And playing more is always better!

Basses are built for that!

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[Outshined91]

Thanks guys! Will continue to jam out then!!

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Big question............... what strings are you using??????/

Tape wounds save the neck on a fretless, flats can gouge more, rounds can chew up a fretless.

Just saying, amp and tone setting can augment the difference in strings somewhat, so could be a time to investigate string options.

 

[RyanOh]

When I was about 19, I had a defretted rosewood neck Guild that I wore grooves in...like badly...in a matter of months. I was extremely heavy handed and would bend the strings sideways...round wounds.

Don't play like 19 year old me. Lighter touch, don't bend sideways, esp with rounds.

 

[Outshined91]

Big question............... what strings are you using??????/

Tape wounds save the neck on a fretless, flats can gouge more, rounds can chew up a fretless.

Just saying, amp and tone setting can augment the difference in strings somewhat, so could be a time to investigate string options.

I'm using Roto RS77 flats. I love the tone and feel of them but I've never actually checked out tapes so maybe I might.

 

[Outshined91]

When I was about 19, I had a defretted rosewood neck Guild that I wore grooves in...like badly...in a matter of months. I was extremely heavy handed and would bend the strings sideways...round wounds.

Don't play like 19 year old me. Lighter touch, don't bend sideways, esp with rounds.

I dont do a lot of bending and I dont play with rounds so it might not be that bad...

 

[Allan Allan]

Might be an unpopular opinion, but "digging in" is bad form. You'll develop tendon issues later since you're playing to hard. Cue the naysayers who have played hard for years without issue.

 

[RyanOh]

....so far so good.

 

[nilorius]

For the death metal it is absolutely easier to with a fretted bass, no need for fretless.

 

[swink]

worn fingerboards can be changed....

 

[Keger Jupit]

Hey @Outshined91 glad to see you got a fretless! They are super fun. I've had at least one in the arsenal for 30 years.

Flats, rounds, grounds, compressed, half-wounds, blah-freakin'-blah. Find the set that you like, & rock out! As @swink just stated...well, see above.

If you do find yourself wanting some vibrato, just roll your finger a bit, like a cello player.

 

[Outshined91]

Hey @Outshined91 glad to see you got a fretless! They are super fun. I've had at least one in the arsenal for 30 years.

Flats, rounds, grounds, compressed, half-wounds, blah-freakin'-blah. Find the set that you like, & rock out! As @swink just stated...well, see above.

If you do find yourself wanting some vibrato, just roll your finger a bit, like a cello player.

I've been playing viola for 10 years, I can vibrato just fine thanks

But yeah fretless is awesome! I'll stick to my flats for now but do want to try out some tapes soon.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Dig in with right hand, light touch with left hand. It's a learned skill like any other...

 

[Janforth]

Fair warning! This is the result of round wounds and poor technique on a fretless.

Just kidding... Play as you will, all will be fine.

 

[Vinny_G]

Imagine a carpenter who would be afraid to use his hammer because of the nails. What matters most to him? The hammer, or the house he will build with it?

 

[Groove Doctor]

Flats are fine. Try using a pick once in a while for a bit of extra note attack using the RS77s.

Try Tapes only if you want to. D’Addario Chromes have more treble Zing (if you need it). Helps with intonation on kouder stages IME.