Fretless: 5 or 6 string?

[Matthew_84]

Planning to pick up a 6-string fretless myself. Thinking strongly about having a Warmoth Gecko built.

I was too, but I think I want to stick with 34", but that's just me of course.

 

[Matthew_84]

I played a six string fretted Modulus Quantum for over 10 years. I ended up not using the high C string that much, so I went back to strictly so I went back to strictly files 5's. If you were planning on doing lot of soloing or cordal work the CString comes in handy.

Yeah, I don't do a lot (or any of it) in my current playing style, but I know I'd like to do it and dig into that style of playing with a fretless... Unfortunately, I want this to be my main bass for years to come as well, so I want it to be good for funk, rock, metal, jazz, and fusion. I think jazz and fusion would work well with the high C, but that's my ambitious side... Practically speaking, a 5 is all I need.

 

[Matthew_84]

Find a rondo somewhere. The six string fretless I've seen for less than 300..

Yeah, I've debated that. They're cheap, but the shipping and import duties would probably be the cost of the bass itself.

 

[Matthew_84]

And I'd strongly suggest buying a fretless rather than buying fretted and defretting. Too many variables in the latter, and too easy to lose money on the project. There are a ton of fretless basses in the classifieds. Especially if you haven't settled on the 5 vs 6 issue - buy used, try, resell if it doesn't work for you, or keep and enjoy. Rinse and repeat.

That's some good advice there. Thanks

 

[hasbeen]

I have a 4, 5 and 6 string fretless. The 6 string is my go-to bass. FWIW, it is a Zon.

 

[Mystic Michael]

I have a 4, 5 and 6 string fretless. The 6 string is my go-to bass. FWIW, it is a Zon.

Zon makes superb fretless basses. At least as good as Pedulla and F Bass. Simply outstanding.

MM

 

[radioface]

Get a six.

 

[hasbeen]

Zon makes superb fretless basses. At least as good as Pedulla and F Bass. Simply outstanding.

MM

man..."back in the day" (1980's) I would have killed for a Pedulla. In 1985 I saw a Mark Egan clinic and that was his main instrument. He had several including a double neck.

 

[Jim Carr]

That's some good advice there. Thanks

Do not defret. The results are rarely anything but OK, unless you are or can hire a pro. In the latter case, in total it will cost you as much as buying a fretless from the start, if not more. Plus, you have to actually make the change or wait for the work. Less time to play.

Please consider a 5-string fretless. They are easier to find, easier to play/master, and far easier to sell when the day comes. Spent the cost difference on higher quality. Buy used.

Also, any fretless 5er can be tuned to either BEADG or EADGC. The later is, IMHO, an underused 5-string tuning. It is very easy to adapt to from 4-string, provides great access to the upper register for solos, and does have that added upper perfect 4th of range—though that is less important than the cross string access to the upper register in a position a perfect 4th lower than a 4-string in EADG. It will all depend on your application.

Finally, if you are considering playing a lot of 3 or more string chords, it is pretty impractical on fretless, IME.

Here is some bass porn, my lovely stealth Valenti:

 

[hasbeen]

Do not defret. The results are rarely anything but OK, unless you are or can hire a pro. In the latter case, in total it will cost you as much as buying a fretless from the start, if not more. Plus, you have to actually make the change or wait for the work. Less time to play.

Please consider a 5-string fretless. They are easier to find, easier to play/master, and far easier to sell when the day comes.
Also, any fretless 5er can be tuned to either BEADG or EADGC. The later is, IMHO, an underused 5-string tuning. It is very easy to adapt to from 4-string, provides great access to the upper register for solos, and does have that added upper perfect 4th of range—though that is less important than the cross string access to the upper register in a position a perfect 4th lower than a 4-string in EADG. It will all depend on your application.

Finally, if you are considering playing a lot of 3 or more string chords, it is pretty impractical on fretless, IME.

Here is some bass porn, my lovely stealth Valenti:

that is stunning.

 

[Jim Carr]

that is stunning.

Thanks. You should hear it. The pickups are Nordy Fatstacks, and the preamp is an Aguilar OBP-1.
Ebony finger board and Ken Smith slickrounds in EADGC make it a growly Jazz monster.

 

[SteveC]

Do not defret. The results are rarely anything but OK, unless you are or can hire a pro. In the latter case, in total it will cost you as much as buying a fretless from the start, if not more. Plus, you have to actually make the change or wait for the work. Less time to play.

I agree. Though I did defret a used MIM jazz neck just ofr fun and it turned out pretty well. Used it on a recording, and sold it - don't remember how much, maybe $100. It was more a learning experience and just to say I tried it.

I still say if it's bona be a "keeper" don't defret.

Please consider a 5-string fretless. They are easier to find, easier to play/master, and far easier to sell when the day comes. Buy used.

While I struggle with my desire to play a 6 (tried 3 times) I have to agree. 5's (both fretted and fretless) are easier to find and sell.

Also, any fretless 5er can be tuned to either BEADG or EADGC. The later is, IMHO, an underused 5-string tuning.

I tried this once but at the time it didn't work for me. I really "needed" both the upper and lower range for the music I was trying. I do think if you will be soloing a lot, the 5'er strung E-C is a great option. I have found it's easier to live without the upper string as I really like to have a B string - for the playing I do now.

Finally, if you are considering playing a lot of 3 or more string chords, it is pretty impractical on fretless, IME.

Agreed. Playing in tune isn't as hard - or as easy - as people may think/say. Playing 10ths is one thing, playing a triad is another.

 

[Matthew_84]

Do not defret. The results are rarely anything but OK, unless you are or can hire a pro. In the latter case, in total it will cost you as much as buying a fretless from the start, if not more. Plus, you have to actually make the change or wait for the work. Less time to play.

Please consider a 5-string fretless. They are easier to find, easier to play/master, and far easier to sell when the day comes. Spent the cost difference on higher quality. Buy used.

Also, any fretless 5er can be tuned to either BEADG or EADGC. The later is, IMHO, an underused 5-string tuning. It is very easy to adapt to from 4-string, provides great access to the upper register for solos, and does have that added upper perfect 4th of range—though that is less important than the cross string access to the upper register in a position a perfect 4th lower than a 4-string in EADG. It will all depend on your application.

Finally, if you are considering playing a lot of 3 or more string chords, it is pretty impractical on fretless, IME.

Here is some bass porn, my lovely stealth Valenti:

Beautiful bass and some good wisdom. Thanks... I haven't made up my mind yet, but you definitely gave me something to think about. I wish Ibanez made a stock 6 string fretless SR that I could at least try.

 

[Matthew_84]

I tried this once but at the time it didn't work for me. I really "needed" both the upper and lower range for the music I was trying. I do think if you will be soloing a lot, the 5'er strung E-C is a great option. I have found it's easier to live without the upper string as I really like to have a B string - for the playing I do now.

I'm similar, except that I need the low B - I only want the high C, but I still feel like I'd be a bit limited without it.

Agreed. Playing in tune isn't as hard - or as easy - as people may think/say. Playing 10ths is one thing, playing a triad is another.

Yeah, I agree. I love a wide-range of double-stops, but I'm not too crazy about triads though, or other chords played simultaneously. This is true on any instrument really... Maybe a 5'er is good enough for me.

 

[Matthew_84]

For anyone who may be faced a similar decision, I decided to post an update. I settled on a 5 string tuned to BEADG.

I thought about it and not only are there certain advantages (more options, cheaper, easier to sell, thinner neck, etc), but I don't think I'd really need or use the high C: I only like double-stops, and wouldn't want to play triads or anything of the sort, plus I don't want the opportunity to go so high on a bass.

I recalled the live performance with Jaco and guitarist Bireli Lagrene playing "The Days of Wine and Roses". Jaco's soloing and playing was great on that tune. However, he was playing really high up and there was an upright bass giving him a walking two-feel bassline... That's not what I strive for. When I solo and such, I want to maintain the groove, maybe go up an octave or so, but keep the groove. I really don't need to go up that high and I do need the low B.

Thanks everyone for all your wisdom!

And please don't take that as a slam against Jaco. I like him a lot and I love his playing. That's the only song of his I can recall that needed a second bass. He likely hired the bassist before hand so that he could solo higher and not hurt the song/groove. The other songs of his don't have another bassist - he maintained the groove and he didn't have a high C.

 

[SteveC]

FWIW - I think you made a good, logical choice. Can't say that for many of my bass buying decisions.

I have heard plenty of great bass playing/solos that didn't need/use a C string or more than 20 frets for that matter.

Enjoy the new 5 string.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Tell me something.
Don't get me wrong.

After handing out numbers on the Fretless Bass Club IV for some time,and looking at countless fretless basses;
YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BASSES TO DECIDE FROM??

 

[spade2you]

Do not defret.

As an unlined guy, defretting isn't much of an option.

 

[Matthew_84]

Tell me something.
Don't get me wrong.

After handing out numbers on the Fretless Bass Club IV for some time,and looking at countless fretless basses;
YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BASSES TO DECIDE FROM??

Quite the contrary, I have too many basses to decide from. I want them all!!! Money is the only thing making me narrow it down to one or two.

 

[Matthew_84]

As an unlined guy, defretting isn't much of an option.

As an unlined guy too, this was something that held me back... Until I started thinking about painting the board with a black, high gloss, sandable lacquer, and then coating it with superglue for a superhard finish. It would look like an ebonol board of course, but it is a good way of unlining a lined board.