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Fretless Bass advice needed!

scottie65

scottie65

Jul 31, 2013
130
49
New Mexico
#1
Can anyone tell me the difficulty of playing a fretless bass that has the lines on it that help you locate the position of where a fret would be located? I read somewhere that they had a very mellow sound. I am just wondering what are the facets if there are any that one would consider having a fretless bass more difficult to play than one with frets. Any advice is appreciated.
Frank
 
#2
Check this thread out - I own an LTD B-205SM-FL and I love it. Definitely try before you buy though.

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-esp-ltd-b-205sm-fl-fretless.931893/

Have you had the opportunity to pick up a fretless and try it? Personally, I like having the fret lines. I'd be lost more often than not if it wasn't for having those lines on that neck. Maybe I can go unlined one day, but the lines work for comfort, ease, and performance purposes. Just remember - you will have to use your ears more with a fretless than a fretted bass. You are manipulating all the notes, and those semitones between notes. I hope others can shed more light on this subject for you. Happy shredding brother
 
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#3
Personally, I play both fretted and fretless. I prefer lined fretless, as often I sing lead or backup when I play, and with a glance, I can know I'm on the right note without having to pay too close attention to my intonation. Lined fretlesses necks don't effect the sound of the bass any more than unlined fretless necks do.
 
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#7
With a lined fretless, you have to be precise in your fretting finger placement.

With a fretted bass, there is a fairly wide range of positions right at and a bit before the fret
that all give you exactly the same correct note. Not so with unfretted. You have to be right on
the line and then adjust by ear if necessary.

That also means that your reach or span over the frets has to be better. You have to be able to
reach all the way to the higher fret. You can fall a bit short with frets and still get a clean correct
note. Not so with fretless.

-
 
#8
BioWeapon said:
Once you've played fretless long enough, both become easy, assuming you always play the same scale length. Muscle memory and whatnot.
(Not speaking from experience, just what I've read here.)
Click to expand...

OK, I'll speak from experience. I have both lined and unlined fretless. When you are a fretless beginner lined is a help and makes learning somewhat easier. Not HUGELY easier but easier. The main problem that lined fretless helps with is that there is this tendency for the noob to play the notes at a given "fret" position at an angle across the fingerboard and that throws the pitch off. Has to do with the angle of your left hand, arm etc. the lines give you a practice reference (especially when practiceing seated) so you can TRAIN yourself to not do that! The second thing is that the lines help you subdivide the notes properly between the side dot markers.

But after you get practiced on fretless none of this matters anymore, and sub-dividing markers is automatic as is playing perpendicular across the fingerboard (hopefully) with correct intonation. Furthermore, when standing you can't see the lines anyway only the audience can. You just see the side markers and the line ends. Which is why the Ibanez with edge markers is cool. It's a great compromise that gives you what you'd see standing anyway, and yet retains the totally cool look of the "blank plank" neck.

Personally even though I got lined on my first fretless (Carvin) and it WAS a big help getting started, truth is I was a bit sorry later, because I much prefer the blank neck look, and the help from the lines wasn't all that essential. So i might have taken a bit more woodshed time but I'd have the lineless look now. And even worse, mine came with side dots in normal fretted positions rather than ON the frets the way most fretless basses come now (that haven't been defretted). And the wrong side dots really DOES drive you nuts. One of these days I'll have to get one of those LED strips for it.
 
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#9
As long as you can learn to play in tune lined or unlined isn't a problem. However. I've always liked lines, for fast playing it gives me a mark to aim for. Again, you will need to use your ear to roll your finger to the true pitch, but if you're not sustaining a note I'd rather be as close to it as I can.
 
#10
I like having the lines.
It gives me a starting place--but as I play fretless more I am playing more by ear than eye--which is as it should be.
It is also fun to watch people's reactions when they think it's a fretted bass and find out it isn't.
 
#12
I've played a Fender Precision Fretless since '72, these maple necks have dots on the side, which I've gotten quite used to. When confronted with a bass with lines inlaid in the neck, I"m always unsure where the note is- between the lines or at the leading line - this can vary depending if someone took the frets off and filled the fret grooves. Also with Fretless if you hear the note as being out of tune, you can roll your finger to bring it to pitch - and a light tremolo like a violinist can give a sweet sound. Love fretless, but as folks have pointed out, it does take a sharp ear until you get good at some new techniques.
Cheers - - -
 
#13
I just started playing fretless and I love it. My first fretless was the unlined one up for sale in my sig. I am only selling it because I got a lined Cirrus in a trade. I find that unlined is actually what I prefer but I did the trade because.. hey man .. it was a Cirrus. From what I have seen for myself the key to fretless is just play it. It will be off a bit in the beginning but after a while you will begin to actually feel the instrument better. It looks more restrictive but for me it was actually more freeing.
 
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#14
I prefer the look of an unlined board, but I prefer playing a lined fretless for accuracy. Maybe it's a crutch, or maybe it's just a tool to make playing the instrument in a better fashion, everyone has his or her opinion on that, but I don't think it can be argued that lines are an impediment to playing the instrument well. Either way, as others have touched on, having a good ear is key. If you have a shop in your area that has a fretless or two, go check them out and monkey around with one for awhile. The Squier VM Jazz fretless is a fine place to start for the money, but there are other budget fretlesses out there.

It's not for everyone, but in my opinion playing fretless opens a whole new world of expressive playing. And if you need to sound like a fretted? You actually can by playing with accuracy and without vibrato. Fretless is FUN!
 
#15
Being a relative new guy to the fretless world (bought a Squier VMJ fretless to start on), the lines have been a big advantaqe -for me. Particularly in playing it on gigs. Still struggling here and there but consistant practice make's the world of difference too.
 
#17
I've been playing fretless for a while now and I find that the lines distract me now. I lose where the notes are supposed to be. Now if the dots are in the wrong spot then I'm really in trouble. Lol.
 
#19
Chef said:
I don't want the lines. There's too much to look at, when I need a quick glance for reference.

I prefer 3/5/7/9/12 dots, where the frets would be.
You shouldn't spend all you time staring at the fingerboard; you should be spending your effort playing, and listening.
IMO.
Click to expand...

exactly.....when playing fretted you play "between the lines" so anytime I pick up a fretless with lines I get confused..............dots placed right where you play make more sense to me....... Also, how often do you look at your actual fretboard vs. the edge of the neck when you play a fretted bass...........lines don't matter, you have to really lean over to see them......although, what works for some doesn't for others.............try a few............
 
#20
Great thread! I play fretted and fretless and I prefer unlined. Your ear and muscle memory develop quickly. Like others mentioned, I don't really look at the actual fretboard. Side dots are fine and and the unlined board of my CB D-Bass looks SICK!!
 

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