Fretless bass with a pick. Do or don't?

[BassicJazzy]

Even though I'm a pretty fair guitarist always using a pick these days, I have little facility with a pick on bass. That said, the few times I do grab one just to mess around, I'm reminded that there are some really cool sounds available that way that you're just not going to get with fingers. Somebody mentioned picking with a .73 and that's exactly what I've done with palm muting. Nice sound.

So yeah, play fretless with a pick, use a brass slide, whatever.

Just let your fingernails grow a little bit and you can get some really gnarly sounds, especially with tapes. No need for the pick.

 

[iqi616]

I did it to see if I could do it, and was surprised when it was not especially difficult to adapt to the lack of frets. What surprised me even more was how much of an impact it had on my note selection and creativity.

Same here. I would have taken it up sooner if I'd known.

 

[Stempelloos]

Who else is playing fretless with a pick?

Will Heggie in the Cocteau Twins is the first one that comes up in my mind.



I really liked his bass playing.

 

[toddsterbassist]

 

[Pirate Captain]

I seem to remember Tony (Franklin) saying that he'll go back and forth depending on the needs of the song...just like any number of "normal" bassists would on a fretted bass

 

[iqi616]

I really enjoy playing a Fretless with a lighter pick, like a nylon .73 for example. Gets a really nice attack envelope

I love my Jim Dunlops in that size - pointy end for sharp attack or one of the other corners for more thump.

 

[BASS YODA]

21:59 ADHD moment! OUD!