Does fretless really give you that much more freedom?

[James Hart]

Yes, but can you hear yourself that well in a metal band=P?

amplified properly... yes

 

[Demon]

Ok, as i said ill prolly have to stick to the fretless for a while anyway=/ But one thing thats important is how effects sound since i like varying my sound (without overusing them tho). Ive heard some Mwah mixed with distortion on call of ktulu by metallica, and it sounds very sharp and attacky, how would it sound on a fretless if you compare them? Ive heard effects become "warmer" is this right?

 

[Tired_Thumb]

Ok, as i said ill prolly have to stick to the fretless for a while anyway=/ But one thing thats important is how effects sound since i like varying my sound (without overusing them tho). Ive heard some Mwah mixed with distortion on call of ktulu by metallica, and it sounds very sharp and attacky, how would it sound on a fretless if you compare them? Ive heard effects become "warmer" is this right?

It still sounds pretty tough with the right amount of distortion. However, Cliff always used a Morley Power-wah through an overdriven Ampeg, or an old Russian Muff depending on the version you believe. In terms of headbanging, I've decided that I've become too reliant on watching the fretboard for intonation, so when I get my six string, it will not only be fretless but unlined.

 

[Tom Howland]

Fretless can be used I any musical situation, style.
It's different to play, and I believe you do have more freedom.
With anything it takes practice, it's the player, not the bass.

 

[Demon]

One thing that might attract me to fretless is if you could get a growly mwah tone, is it possible?

 

[Petary791]

IMO, yes, it really does give you that much more freedom. I've been playing mine primarily lately, and man is it fun.

 

[Demon]

Its fun,i agree, but i guesss i need a tone i like, anyway to get away from the "warm" feel but still cut through?

 

[James Hart]

Its fun,i agree, but i guesss i need a tone i like, anyway to get away from the "warm" feel but still cut through?

adjust your EQ?
attack the sttrings harder and/or closer to the bridge?


Have you re cut the nut to compensate for the missing frets yet? I'd suggest bringing the nut slots down to a match book cover height from the board and then raise the bridge saddles a bit to allow you to dig in some.

Here are a couple samples of mine... I record you some distorted and effected clips next weekend.

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[Demon]

Thanks man, and i dont know how to adjust my EQ since i have an amp with 3 knobs, volume treble bass=P Anyway, even tho those soundclips sound great it aint what im looking for, so maybe i shud be on a fretted afterall, and i think one can articulate notes on a fretted well too, maybe not by vibrato, but by attacking harder etc.. but then again if i do get a fine tone on a fretless when i get my new amp ill stick to it, but you ever heard DiGiorgios tone? Its very Brass instrument like, with mwah, but its not a warm tone at all, it sounds very different. I just dont like a warm tone=/ But besides i doesnt feel right trying to copy another s tone to me, besides it doesnt sound bassy enough for my opinion, more like brass instrument. But anyway, thing is i WANT to play fretless cos the versatility and more tone options, but if icant find my sound its not worth it.

 

[StarMountainKid]

I think a new amp with more EQ possibilities would help you alot. Also, strings can make a big difference in the sound of your bass. Maybe check out the 'Strings' section of TB and get some advice there.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Im thinking i went fretless for the wrong reason.

It sure seems like it...

MM

 

[vicenzajay]

Thanks man, and i dont know how to adjust my EQ since i have an amp with 3 knobs, volume treble bass=P Anyway, even tho those soundclips sound great it aint what im looking for, so maybe i shud be on a fretted afterall, and i think one can articulate notes on a fretted well too, maybe not by vibrato, but by attacking harder etc.. but then again if i do get a fine tone on a fretless when i get my new amp ill stick to it, but you ever heard DiGiorgios tone? Its very Brass instrument like, with mwah, but its not a warm tone at all, it sounds very different. I just dont like a warm tone=/ But besides i doesnt feel right trying to copy another s tone to me, besides it doesnt sound bassy enough for my opinion, more like brass instrument. But anyway, thing is i WANT to play fretless cos the versatility and more tone options, but if icant find my sound its not worth it.

Different kind of song...maybe still a little warm, but very big sound in the mix (realize this is recorded on a digital camera). The bass is a Dean Edge 4 Fretless:

Little Wing

Jay

 

[Calaverasgrande]

you play fretless with your ears... not with your eyes

I find this to be true more and more!

 

[Petary791]

I find this to be true more and more!

Same here. Best way to describe one.

 

[Demon]

It feels like if im going back to fretless it will be like getting crutches=/

 

[mad_man_moon61]

I got back into learning the bass last year after a very long
absence. I started off with a Washburn but then switched to
fretless after trying out one of the SX basses.
I now own a Warwick Corvette Standard fretless (my main
bass) and a SX fretless 5-string jazz bass.
(One fretted in the stable,an Ibanez GSR 200.)

For me I just really love the sound and smooth play
of the fretless. Granted its a bit more work but
the time spent is worth it.
It feels so right when I sit down to play
that its like going home again.

Cheers,
Doug

 

[wujuu]

Different kind of song...maybe still a little warm, but very big sound in the mix (realize this is recorded on a digital camera). The bass is a Dean Edge 4 Fretless:

Little Wing

Jay

nice mix and playing always good to hear the bass come out like that

 

[RandallFlagg]

you play fretless with your ears... not with your eyes

+1

Couldn't agree more!!

 

[Demon]

Im pretty sure no bass can be played either with ear or eyes unless ur like telepathic=P hehe, anyway. I Might have Fretted as main bass and use fretless for more "special" or slower songs, since many Metal songs have many fast parts.

 

[SirChronique]

But anyway, thing is i WANT to play fretless cos the versatility and more tone options, but if icant find my sound its not worth it.

I'm getting the idea you aren't looking to find YOUR sound, but rather looking for a METAL sound. Play music that comes from yourself. Think of all the creative possibilities!! Just play what comes to you, whether it is metal or not, because you can modify it if it isn't METAL enough so it will mesh in nicely with your playing group. Also, listen to Les Claypool's "old band" Primus if your interested in some of the harder soundage that fretless has to offer.

With fretless you definitley learn to use your ears more and more. After playing a while finding the frets won't be such a big deal.

I started with a fretless and I would say that learning to rely on sound rather than sight definitley improves ones musical ear as well as finger accuracy and knowledge of fret locations.

One of my favourite things about a fretless is the vibrato's, if not overused. I'm not a Jaco fan but, to me anyway, there is a truer connection with a fretless because there is no barrier between my finger and the fretboard, it seems more responsive to me, any movement I make with my finger is reflected in the sound nicely, atleast moreso than on a fretted.

And about fretless throught distortion.

The only distortion I have played mine through is my dunlop 105q wah, and let me say that it is excellent!!!! Even though the pedal cost as much as a cheap bass!