Do Fretless Exist without a Burst Finish?

[lyralain]

i'm curious about how those two things are connected in your non-boomer experience(?)

I've been writing basslines with an FM synth whose glide is intrinsically continuous, leading to things that would be impossible on a fretted bass but fun on a fretted one. Dropbox - weeknd_frnch_bline.mp3 - Simplify your life

you'd better hope that you are happy with a lined fingerboard as the options for plain are even more restricted unless you roll your own.

I'm so very torn on it. On the one hand, no markings brings bragging rights, & someone I love is deeply into xenharmonic music where 12tet marks would be a distraction. On the other, I rarely hit standard pitches perfectly while singing so it's ambitious to expect I'll be able to on a bass either.

I love this thread. It’s got everything that it needs to shake up the boomer community

This thread is a metaphor for how I want my desired bass finish to ruffle some feathers.

Buy a can of Krylon...

I've thought about DIY refinishing and watched a few vids, my main problem is I'm living in a rented philly building that's super dusty & not climate controlled.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Problem being, intentionally ruffling feathers is against the rules of this community. In order to keep this thread open, let's please keep a lid on the broad brushed generational pejoratives, and state personal opinions as just that without maligning anyone who feels differently. It's just so easy to say "I don't care for burst finishes. Instead, I'm looking more for....."

See how easy that was? That kind of approach is the best way to keep the thread open.

 

[joenoone]

My Steinberger Synapse fretless has a flat-black finish

 

[Texican]

View attachment 4708657

Problem being, intentionally ruffling feathers is against the rules of this community. In order to keep this thread open, let's please keep a lid on the broad brushed generational pejoratives, and state personal opinions as just that without maligning anyone who feels differently. It's just so easy to say "I don't care for burst finishes. Instead, I'm looking more for....."

See how easy that was? That kind of approach is the best way to keep the thread open.

I would like to add that there are nearly 200 replies in this thread and most of them have offered helpful advice and options to consider… despite many of those contributing members being baby boomers. A couple of people have made comments laughing about how the boomers are being triggered here, but that just isn’t the case overall with this thread.

I happen to be a millennial, a.k.a. the triggered generation, and I couldn’t imagine 10 pages of millennials offering help to someone that had insulted them. We would have made up new terms like “systemic BASSism” and then ran to the OP’s employer.

Kudos to all you boomers for taking it in stride. Some of us respect the experience and wisdom you have accrued day by day, year after year.

 

[lyralain]

View attachment 4708657In order to keep this thread open, let's please keep a lid on the broad brushed generational pejoratives, and state personal opinions as just that without maligning anyone who feels differently.

Fair enough, and moderate how you see fit. That said, beyond just using the generational term 'boomer' & expressing my personal disdain for that kind of finish for myself with some hyperbole, I'm not sure I've used any insults towards others or explicitly stated a value judgment beyond 'this finish feels dated'. Whether or not 'dated' is true of all amber bursts, or a bad thing, is up to the beholder.

I feel that the use of 'boomer' as shorthand for 'this feels old' in this context has been extrapolated to 'I feel old' by some viewers, who've found that feeling uncomfortable. From my end, it was meant as some lighthearted fun-poking at how young people aren't really playing fretless much and the market reflects that. I hope I'll be able to laugh at whatever way kids point out I'm out-of-touch when I've got a few more decades on me.

I'm personally trying to make 2020s music inspired by late 90s dance music that sampled 70s and 80s music & would find the fretless sound really useful, but don't see many instruments being made for someone with my aesthetic sensibilities. Most basses visually targeted at my age group seem to be after very bright metallic sounds that ain't for me.

 

[sissy kathy]

HEY! Don't try to blame the boomers for that finish. It was introduced while we were still in diapers.

This thread really took off.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

The thread title makes me want to call the mwahmubulance lol. Glad folks are having fun with it.

 

[Nev375]

Kids these days "We are all about inclusivity, social justice, anti-bullying and getting rid of toxicity in all its forms!"

Also... "Stupid boomers and their dumb sunburst finishes!"

 

[john_g]

Maybe ask mom and dad if they can afford a little more and you can get any color you want...though they might be tapped out paying for all the therapy

=)

 

[kevmac]

While my fretted bass is currently away, I've been writing basslines on a computer & have been realizing I'd really love to have a fretless.

Problem is, almost all of the fretless basses I can find are 'sunburst' this and 'brown burst' that. Warm reds, oranges & browns abound; godawful high-gloss topcoats, cheesy dated pickguards, it's all there. I presume this is because most fretless players out there haven't progressed past where they were 30-40 years ago. The few exceptions seem to be either 'boring metalhead black' or 'natural finish over boring wood'.

Do fretless basses with actually fun, vibrant finishes, or natural finishes over really characterful wood, exist? Especially do they exist under $1k? If not, what's the best course of action- defretting & adjusting the string height of a bass that actually looks good, or going in on a cheaper fretless & getting it refinished?

By non boomer colors do you mean like "puke green or baby crap yellow?

 

[mrperkolator]

I've thought about DIY refinishing and watched a few vids, my main problem is I'm living in a rented philly building that's super dusty & not climate controlled.

buy a SUPER cheap bass/guitar/kids "guitar" on craigslist or similar and try refinishing it first. I've tried refinishing a fretless.... and Yes I was gonna go super flashy... gave up on that idea... then blue burst... then I gave up fully. I have other things pulling for my attention, and it was taking WAAAAY too long without the proper setup, and I couldn't get it sanded without blowing through the burst. Guys with the right tools can do 1000% better than most of us in our garage. If you search for "refinishing" in the search bar you will see some people out there.

May be cheaper to find a local auto shop though. make friends with an autobody guy, the next time they're spraying a sports car some bright color, ask to squeeze your bass body in there.

If you want that smooth pro grade finish... It's hard to accomplish without proper tooling.

 

[Hot Rats]

Any color for unlined fretless as long as it's black.

View attachment 4708173

Hell yea!

 

[sissy kathy]

By non boomer colors do you mean like "puke green or baby crap yellow?

I happen to like baby crap yellow. It ain't so aromatic, but it's pretty.

 

[Zak TMD]

While my fretted bass is currently away, I've been writing basslines on a computer & have been realizing I'd really love to have a fretless.

Problem is, almost all of the fretless basses I can find are 'sunburst' this and 'brown burst' that. Warm reds, oranges & browns abound; godawful high-gloss topcoats, cheesy dated pickguards, it's all there. I presume this is because most fretless players out there haven't progressed past where they were 30-40 years ago. The few exceptions seem to be either 'boring metalhead black' or 'natural finish over boring wood'.

Do fretless basses with actually fun, vibrant finishes, or natural finishes over really characterful wood, exist? Especially do they exist under $1k? If not, what's the best course of action- defretting & adjusting the string height of a bass that actually looks good, or going in on a cheaper fretless & getting it refinished?

Might be useful if you target the type of finish you're looking for, instead of calling out everyone who likes the above?

I just did a search of used fretless basses on Reverb and while a ton of them are brown, natural, or tobacco burst, or (metalhead???) black, there are a good amount of other things (pic related). What are you looking for?

Link Removed

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

...

View attachment 4708657

Problem being, intentionally ruffling feathers is against the rules of this community. In order to keep this thread open, let's please keep a lid on the broad brushed generational pejoratives, and state personal opinions as just that without maligning anyone who feels differently. It's just so easy to say "I don't care for burst finishes. Instead, I'm looking more for....."

See how easy that was? That kind of approach is the best way to keep the thread open.

Surprised you guys kept this obvious troll post open. Curious as to why. It doesn't seem like the op is sincere. Just crying out for attention and using an insult to get it. Bored today, I'll insult <insert demographic I think is lame> and see if they trigger.

 

[BassyBill]

“Most fretless players haven’t moved on in 30 or 40 years.”

No, not in the least bit insulting or arrogant at all.

 

[lyralain]

What are you looking for?

One thing I've been on is bright satin finishes, like my EHB1005MS in sea foam.

The other thing I love is natural finishes over super characterful wood tops- lotsa burl & marks, even chipped away rot- though with woods & finishes that have a pale/cool undertone, not a warm one. Not expecting to find that in an affordable package though.

Really, I just want something showy and bright and 'modern' without it being super shiny (be that gloss or metallic/sparkle) or warm-toned.

 

[Paul New]

You could get an amber or boomer burst fretless and compensate with a nose ring and a neck tattoo. Just a suggestion.

 

[mrperkolator]

...

Surprised you guys kept this obvious troll post open. Curious as to why. It doesn't seem like the op is sincere. Just crying out for attention and using an insult to get it. Bored today, I'll insult <insert demographic I think is lame> and see if they trigger.

because asking if anyone knows about a fretless without a burst finish is a legitimate question.

 

[lyralain]

Surprised you guys kept this obvious troll post open. Curious as to why. It doesn't seem like the op is sincere.

Look. If mods need to close the thread, then do so. But sincerely- while the demographic remarks were a little troll-y, yes, they were meant as a good faith jab meant to highlight that not many fretless basses are being made targeted at people my age. It was never meant to insult anybody and I'm sorry that people have been hurt by it. Intent & tone are hard to communicate in text.

No, not in the least bit insulting or arrogant at all.

Again like... It was just a bit of fun to highlight that young people aren't playing these (lovely sounding) instruments as much.