Do Fretless Exist without a Burst Finish?

[tpaul]

I call BS on this article…
As a 1975 Gen X’er, Red is really a color I dislike, especially on a bass. My favorites are shades of blue all across the board. Of course there is also my Boring Clear over Boring wood, of which I actually have two…

I agree with you on the red, but I'm not that keen on blue basses either, although I like blue in other contexts. I tend to gravitate toward black and white basses, and I don't have anything against bursts. However I am not a fan of natural wood finishes.

It seems that you and I, both Gen Xers, don't agree on color preferences. How bizarre.

 

[JRA]

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 hope so, too, for your sake, apparently, but: there are actually old, boomer musicians on this forum who are not out of touch in the least...some remain at/on the cutting edge --- we all know those types = "they've forgotten more than i'll ever know." i.e., being old(er) does not mean being "out-of-touch."

FWIW: i wasn't offended by your admitted "troll-y" aspersion(s). IME/IMO, if you keep working at it (lots of practice!) you have as good a chance as any in your age group to find something meaningful from the music to which you aspire.

also: i listened to your synth-bass part. there's nothing there that requires a fretless to duplicate. any fretted EB routed through the right synth pedal will get you where you want to go! if you invest in the right pedal you'll save money and obviously a lifetime of effort learning to play fretless in a meaningful way!

until we become proficient at playing = it's all just dreaming, anyway! good luck with your own fretless 'dreaming'!

 

[gamb]

My LTD Fretless (B-204SM) in satin over spalted maple with EMG 35 PAX/JX. The spalted maple lottery is a bit iffy on whether you get a plain-looking piece or a super gorgeous piece, I'm happy with mine. They also make it in a 5 (and I think 6) string variety. 24 "frets" on a 5-piece neck. It's really well built and plays super smooth.

 

[2112]

Sure they do:

 

[DaveParker39]

Kiesel is probably the easiest way to get what you want.

 

[mikeoso]

Oh, and...by the way....if you want to talk about "dated", "conservative", etc...

If it requires electricity, it's "new".

 

[Lowbrow]

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.

Unfortunately regardless of the intent here the term is generally an agist insult, plus it was used to describe something undesirable which kinda strengthens that connotation. It’s good practice to let those who experience a given slight to define the depth/import of that experience.

 

[boombloom]

I have more than a few non burst fretless Wishbasses.....

 

[sissy kathy]

Unfortunately regardless of the intent here the term is generally an agist insult, plus it was used to describe something undesirable which kinda strengthens that connotation. It’s good practice to let those who experience a given slight to define the depth/import of that experience.

It's only an insult if you let it become one. Generally, when I see it being used, I find it displays the ignorance of the one using it; that makes me smile.

 

[fhm555]

Off the top of my head I can think of 2 simple solutions.

First, buy a bass and if you don’t like the color, play blindfolded. Since it’s at home who is gonna notice. If you do wind up playing out, make the blindfold a featured aspect of your promo pack. “We do all manner of cool music, and we do it with a blindfolded bass player!”

second, buy a bass that plays really good with no regard for color. If the color is too much to take, a can or two of Krylon should cure that. It comes in many colors, or be artsy and use one of their many textured finishes. Pop off the strings, mask the fretboard and paint that puppy. Or be artsy and leave off the masking and leave on the strings for a more utilitarian monochromatic look.

either of the above should endear you to your legion of fan.

 

[Passinwind]

Jaco only needed four coats of flat black Krylon.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Custom body and finish, otherwise a parts bass with vintage Fender neck... totalled around $1k-ish.

View attachment 4708464 View attachment 4708465

Where'd you get that real gold leaf finish for that kind of dough (boomer term)?

 

[kevmac]

I think the point there was that the mods around here have closed threads for less. The boomer comment was probably misplayed, but I credit you for sticking around. Also most of the discussion about the topic has been incited but rather civil.

My first response was to be offended by the thread too. The more I thought of it, the more I wondered if you might have a point. Makers of mass-produced instruments have to choose their finish options carefully according to what they think uptake will be. It's possible that mass producers of fretless basses anticipate the average buyer being older (for some reason) and are tending towards more conservative finish choices.

I believe these builders are just playing the odds of what will sell.There's probably more players looking for a burst model than a bright blue or shocking pink.

 

[COYS]

I don’t really think people are calling sunburst finishes “BoomerBurst” as a serious insult, it’s just a way to describe the problem here -

Most people feel there are few affordable options for certain types of basses, except in styles that are very dated (to the era of the baby boom generation). That could include burst finishes, or other things that are very dated like surf green or TV yellow finishes. Even the tort pickguards that seem ubiquitous on everything vintage style… very dated, and for more unique models finding a replacement is not easy.

It’s definitely an issue IMO, to find something in an interesting color that’s still affordable with certain models.

It’s a plea for manufacturers to be more imaginative and unique and not to color only inside the lines

 

[J Posega]

@lyralain - you could also get any fretless with a gloss finish and have it vinyl wrapped. Or spray the body with Plastidip.

 

[WillyW]

12 pages of butthurt

 

[Jeff Scott]

So I gotta admit, I just did a "fretless bass" search on sweetwater and almost ALL of them are warm/brown/brown burst. Wild.

Makers of mass-produced instruments have to choose their finish options carefully ..... and are tending towards more conservative finish choices.

I see this as the manufacturers are cheaping out and going with the most basic of finishes, again (this tends to be cyclical in nature). You know, the standard finish options: blue, red white, and sunburst.

 

[GWGuitar]

Progress of humanity relies not on unquestioning acceptance of the traditions of elders, but rather in having a critical eye towards the wisdom they provide & keeping what works but discarding what doesn't.

Such as sunburst finishes.

Glad you got it figured out. Let me know what you think in 40 years. lol

 

[fdrcolorado]

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?

Moderator edit: After some discussion with the OP, the decision was made to edit the thread title to reflect the actual intent of the finish search.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I find that most basses whether they are fretless or fretted are NOT burst finishes. Most are solid colors or some type of wood finish.