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Fretless as main bass in non-jazz setting?

SteveC

SteveC

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2004
31,664
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#1
Does anyone here use a fretless as their main bass in a band other than jazz? Rock/Pop cover, country, funk, etc.

I would like a 2nd bass and am debating between fretted or fretless. I have a fretted 5 that I like and use for everything. I don't really like a fretless for standard jazz stuff - tried it, no good - but I do like it for some more modern, funky and smooth jazz stuff. Unfortunately, I mostly play that for myself, not many gigs, and I'm worried a 2nd fretless bass may just be sitting at home for my use in "playing along" with smooth jazz and the like.

Just curious what thoughts and practices are out there amoung TB'ers.
 
#3
I have two basses. Fretless P Bass and a Fretless Jazz Bass and I don't really play jazz. The band I'm in right now is basically a rock trio. I have also done an R&B/Soul group and an Acoustic/Countryish type of thing recently.

I think the key thing for me is that I "mwah" every line and do an excessive number of slides. So for the most part, most people don't notice that I play fretless until they look at my fretboard or when I hit a clam. I'll pull out the fretless tricks when they are appropriate though.
 
#6
I use a fretless jazz bass in an indie/pop band. It sounds great for some of our alt-country songs, up tempo pop numbers, or mid-tempo ballads. Not so much for straight ahead rock songs, but that's what the P bass is for. I could probably use just the fretless for all the songs, though. I used to use it in a power-pop/emo band as well; it sounded real unique, but not out of place. It was odd...
 
#11
I am a bit obsessed with the Yellowjackets right now and wanting a fretless 6 again. The problem is justifying the expense for a bass that may or may not see playing time outside of my house for my own edification
 
#12
Interesting, Jimmy doesn't use a fretless with the 'Jackets, all that stuff is fretted.

;)

FWIW, I didn't OWN a fretted bass for over 5 years, gigged in every imaginable situation during that time. You can play fretless on ANYTHING if you choose to do so, it's a matter of using taste when you do it...and I'm still going to the blank plank as my first choice every chance I get now.

:)
 
#13
I play fretless 4 exclusively...just cuz I can't afford to have more than one bass at a time :hmm: It's strung BEAD and I use it for everything. The key is really knowing how to get the best out of the EQ and using the more contrasts with the right hand (kinda like jaco). So when I play rock I tend to play by the bridge alot, and when I play neo-soul or R&B I tend to play by the middle or the neck. It works great for me....and by the way, there is nothing wrong with getting a bass for your own edification. If it helps you to actually want to practice, that will in turn help you to learn and incorporate new ideas into your playing that you would not have otherwise learned...just food for thought.
 
#17
I do 75% - 100% of the time.
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#20
I use one right now 100% of the time in a hard rock / metal band. The bass can either sound very woody, or like metal on metal, depending on how I pan the pickups and EQ it. I have a new fretted P-bass which will probably get some playing time once it's out of the shop, but I don't think the fretless is taking a back seat anytime soon.
 

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