• 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.

Exclusively fretless??

SteveC

SteveC

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2004
31,665
46,802
60
NE ND
#1
As I debate a different bass, I find myself torn. A basic jazz seems to cover most gigs. I have been playing "jazz" type basses for years. As I debate a new bass, I find myself wanting something different. Looking through the classifieds, I noticed some nice fretless bass. My main gig right now is jazz...and church. A fretless would work fine for these gigs. I also play in a horn band. Not sure how EW&F would work with a fretless. Joe cocker, AWB, maybe.

Anyone out there a fretless only or mostly fretless player? What's the pro/con sheet look like?
 
#3
For about 10 years I had a pair of Zons, and played the fretless 5 (w/Lightwave system) about 95% of the time. The only thing you can't really get is a typical slap tone on fretless. You can however slap fretless and it is cool, it just won't sound like Marcus/etc.

You can do most EWF stuff fingerstyle so a fretless will work no problem.
 
#4
SteveC said:
As I debate a different bass, I find myself torn. A basic jazz seems to cover most gigs. I have been playing "jazz" type basses for years. As I debate a new bass, I find myself wanting something different. Looking through the classifieds, I noticed some nice fretless bass. My main gig right now is jazz...and church. A fretless would work fine for these gigs. I also play in a horn band. Not sure how EW&F would work with a fretless. Joe cocker, AWB, maybe.

Anyone out there a fretless only or mostly fretless player? What's the pro/con sheet look like?
Click to expand...

I've been exclusively fretless for about the last 8 or so years, though the switch from fretted did post-date the end of my gigging career.

But I have played in groups a couple of times since and I can say the only con will be playing in tune in situations where you can't hear yourself. With a fretted, you just mash the strings down in the right place by eye and it comes out ok even if you're in a totally deaf part of the stage, but with the fretless you're screwed if the mix is bad, etc. But then again, in cases like that, no one else can hear you very well either, so it won't make that much difference.

The pros, tho, go on and on and on. Much better tone, a new challenge that'll keep you interested for years, intonation is good exercise for your "ear", good for your technique, easier setups, others will be less tempted to try to borrow your gear (or steal it, since fretlesses are less coveted by thieves), unlined fingerboards look cool, etc.

As for slap, fretlesses have a unique sound when slapped. I'm working on a tune of my own right now that has a slap part in it and it's quite an interesting sound, especially on my G&L. Not as much clang, but a definite pop..... so it still works on the FL.

LS
 
#5
i'd say it depends on your technique (Jaco , jack bruce ?)

if you play fretless in the same manner as a fretted...ok....
you can likely get away with it.

if you mwahhh and gliss every note without frets....(some players do),
i'd say keep a fretted for the tunes that need punchy plucked,
picked, slapped bass playing.
 
#7
I had a fretless 6 I used for jazz and a little at other gigs - ballads, etc. I think I am able to not mwah or gloss every note. I suppose it's kind of like the B string...there if you want it but you don't have to use it.
 
#8
nostatic said:
For about 10 years I had a pair of Zons, and played the fretless 5 (w/Lightwave system) about 95% of the time. The only thing you can't really get is a typical slap tone on fretless. You can however slap fretless and it is cool, it just won't sound like Marcus/etc.

You can do most EWF stuff fingerstyle so a fretless will work no problem.
Click to expand...

If your Roscoe was 34" I'd be talking to you.
 
#9
So any thoughts as to if this is a legit thing to explore? I know only I can make that decision, but it is definitely different from a "jazz" bass approach. It would make me think and listen again. Sometimes I just go through the motions which you can't do on a fretless. Maybe it would get me going again.
 
#11
SteveC said:
So any thoughts as to if this is a legit thing to explore? I know only I can make that decision, but it is definitely different from a "jazz" bass approach. It would make me think and listen again. Sometimes I just go through the motions which you can't do on a fretless. Maybe it would get me going again.
Click to expand...

Personally, I can't imagine staying exclusive to either fretless or fretted. I went a long time without finding a fretless that I liked but once I did find one, I absolutely knew that it was gonna stick and now I've got a custom on the way, haha. The trick, I think, is that you have to find a fretless that you really connect with. I was lucky to find one quickly but I know for others it may not come so easily. Like I've heard so many times from other TB members, "Ain't nothin wrong with having a couple of nice basses." :).
 
#12
I've got a MIM Fender fretless Jazz. We bonded immediately. Perfect UB-like sound for jazz and for playing with my Americana acoustic friends. It has a wonderfully expressive vocal quality. Plenty of "Mwaa" if you want it.
Still play my Fender American Standard Precision V fretted for R&B, funk & rock stuff.
 
#14
Well, unfortunately, here in the middle of nowhere, where stores stock Squier, LTD, and Schecter, it's difficult to try a wide variety of basses or a more "boutique" bass to find one that works.

After gigging with a fairly heavy bass, and the fact that no one notices what bass I play tone wise, I may just go local and find the lightest bass in town -fretted or fretless - from the limited selection and play that. Weight is becoming my new top criteria.
 
#15
I expect that some Ibanez lovers (me not one) will be horrified to see my 1980s Destroyer (£65 off a London market stall) defretted and filled with maple veneer but it was that or never be played - what a useless body design - try balancing it on your knee. ftlpope


destroyer.jpg
 
#16
I am exclusively a fretless player. I've played fretted, but started playing bass on fretless, and that's where I feel most comfortable. I have managed to get a really good slap tone once I switched from flatwounds (although Chromes do sound pretty good slapped) to GHS Pressurewounds. These strings really make the fretless sound not as fretless, which I like because I want a super precise sound, yet I can also easy add slides and vibrato whenever I want. On most songs I'm fingerstyle, but when it comes to a slap tune, all I do is boost the high eq on my bass and i'm set to go.
 
#17
SteveC said:
So any thoughts as to if this is a legit thing to explore? I know only I can make that decision, but it is definitely different from a "jazz" bass approach. It would make me think and listen again. Sometimes I just go through the motions which you can't do on a fretless. Maybe it would get me going again.
Click to expand...

It can actually be very similar to a jazz bass approach IME. The key for me is finding a two pickup fretless that I'm comfortable using any techniques I utilize. Then it comes down to playing the bass like a fretted when that's what you want and playing it like a fretless when the mood strikes you. My main fretlesses work great for slap and I use them for any gigs I use any of my fretted basses on. I could play fretless exclusively but I like playing a variety of instruments so I don't.

For a fretted vibe I usually keep both pickups full on. For a fretless sound I typically favor either pickup and change technique accordingly.

Comfort level is a big factor. I'm very comfortabe playing fretless and since my action on them is even lower than my already low fretted basses, they're even easier to play. I also have fretlesses that sound great as fretlesses but are tough to use in any other fashion. I wouldn't consider them for main instruments... too limiting IMO.

I use this bass frequently and even get requests for it from contractors. Probably because contrary to what many think it doesn't have to sound like Jaco all night.

DSC07954close.jpg


No complaints about it being a fretless, a six or whatever.

If you want to, it can be done. It's all about how you do it.
 
#19
Brad Johnson said:
It can actually be very similar to a jazz bass approach IME. The key for me is finding a two pickup fretless that I'm comfortable using any techniques I utilize. Then it comes down to playing the bass like a fretted when that's what you want and playing it like a fretless when the mood strikes you. My main fretlesses work great for slap and I use them for any gigs I use any of my fretted basses on. I could play fretless exclusively but I like playing a variety of instruments so I don't.

For a fretted vibe I usually keep both pickups full on. For a fretless sound I typically favor either pickup and change technique accordingly.

Comfort level is a big factor. I'm very comfortabe playing fretless and since my action on them is even lower than my already low fretted basses, they're even easier to play. I also have fretlesses that sound great as fretlesses but are tough to use in any other fashion. I wouldn't consider them for main instruments... too limiting IMO.

I use this bass frequently and even get requests for it from contractors. Probably because contrary to what many think it doesn't have to sound like Jaco all night.

DSC07954close.jpg


No complaints about it being a fretless, a six or whatever.

If you want to, it can be done. It's all about how you do it.
Click to expand...
If that ramp'd be wood covered like the bass top, it'd rock :)
 
#20
I have a fretted Warwick and a fretless Lakland....

I am still strying to find the specific criteria for when to employ which one.

Sometimes it's sound (chunky deep Lakland sound or a cleaner low/mid Warwick tone).

Sometimes its precision vs flexibility. I find I like the fretted for recording and certain songs I'm struggling a bit with on notes per second. On gigs, I kinda like the slip n slide freedom my fretless gives me, yet I bring both basses to most gigs.

In my final analysis, at this time, it's almost on a song by song basis.

I like the Warwick fretted for say Superstition and Wild Night and the fretless for "Dock of the Bay", SRV tunes, slow blues, Black Velvet, Born Under a Bad Sign (more for the 35" scale). The "rockier" Warwick....the bluesier Lakland.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back