Im planning on building a 4 string fretless neck thru, but I dont know the Pros and Cons of a fretless. I played a warwick fretless and it sounded really dull, flat and lifeless. I wish I could try to play more fretless basses but the guitar places near me barely have any. So what would you say, Fretless or Fretted?
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Fretless Basses
- Thread starter MNbassist
- Start date
Yes to being a tool perhaps?
In all honesty mate it doesn't matter what we think. Ultimately it is going to be something you are going to spend a lot of time and money on so make sure you are sure it is what you want, even if that means having to travel around and try things out. If you are building from scratch I would recommend starting as a fretless and if you like add frets later on. Presumably though you are buying a neck/centre section as this is a really difficult job to do from scratch?
In all honesty mate it doesn't matter what we think. Ultimately it is going to be something you are going to spend a lot of time and money on so make sure you are sure it is what you want, even if that means having to travel around and try things out. If you are building from scratch I would recommend starting as a fretless and if you like add frets later on. Presumably though you are buying a neck/centre section as this is a really difficult job to do from scratch?
Well that is an extremely open-ended question. Try searching. There are probably tons of threads about fretless basses. If a Warwick is the only one you've sampled I'd say you've got a rather small sampling. As to why it was lifeless - there are several possibilities. Dead strings in the store, wood combination, construction method, Warwick electronics, etc. Fretless bass is a beautiful instrument and anything but lifeless. Pros - wonderful sound. Cons - intonation is critical.
I just bought my 4th fretless (2nd at the same time) and can't get enough. Go for it man, buy used and if you don't like it, sell it. If you love it, sell it and step up to something you LOVE.
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
Are all of those notes in between the two you actually MEANT to play? ; }
OK, don't hit me - I was just kidding! I love fretless. Both my basses (a Five and a Six) are fretless, and though I get a lot of fretted time in on other basses I don't see my preferences changing any time soon.
OK, don't hit me - I was just kidding! I love fretless. Both my basses (a Five and a Six) are fretless, and though I get a lot of fretted time in on other basses I don't see my preferences changing any time soon.
greenboy said:
Oh yes
I have two fretlesses, one an unlined Smith BSR5-GN and the other a lined Pedulla Pentabuzz. The Smith is a real challenge to play in tune in the upper registers. So I'd recommend lines for anyone who is starting out.
The advantage of a fretted bass is you get more punchy attack. The fretless gives you the opportunity to create more 'vocal' sensual sounding lines.
BTW I don't hit people, I insinuate. Like...
...I bet you PARK your CAR in REVERSE.
I like the freedom that fretless can give to you. I personally play only fretless nowadays either it is Bob Marley or King Diamond what I'll be playing. Another good thing about fretless is that it really practises your ear. I've noticed that since I changed to fretless it has been much easier to learn songs by ear.
Fretless basses are like stemless wine glasses and strapless bras. We love them in spite of all impracticability because they're cool and sometimes sensual.
Orpheus55 said:
To me playing in precise tune ain't so important than the feeling which I can create. If the thing you're doing is real, then you're doing it right.
Just like in listening to music - If it ain't real, it's no good. We're livin' in a protools music world where everything has to be in tune, edgeless, compressed and so on. For me that ain't real. There's no feeling left in the music. That's why I rather listen to old music and artists who like to fight this whole modern hi-tech s*it. Like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Jacques Brel etc. In my opinion it's better if it is a bit out of tune than if it's superrobotextraclean and accurate.
Sorry if my English sucks... I ain't a native English speaking person.
Not at all. The fret free fingerboard is open for everything that the fret bound board, plus all variations you might want. Such as slightly on the edge of out-of-tune, real glissandos, adjustable mwah, miscelanous harmonics tricks, etc.Orpheus55 said:
The feel of the string becomes more natural, which facilitates the playing. It's easier to keep the board clean and nice.
What's the reason for frets, except to compensate for sloppy technique and low level musicality?
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
I guess standup basses are impractical also, then. {Well, carrying them on public transport alone might qualify them; }
Actually I've played fretless in a number of classic rock/buttrock/blues cover bands and it has never been an issue. This includes some tunes with slapping/popping (different but EQ helps). With the right rig, settings, and technique, one can sound as if they were playing a fretted bass anyway - just don't do the mwaaah thing and slide around and with lines appearing like frets from a distance you can fool almost anyone until you actually play some fretless-isms to give it away.
Actually I've played fretless in a number of classic rock/buttrock/blues cover bands and it has never been an issue. This includes some tunes with slapping/popping (different but EQ helps). With the right rig, settings, and technique, one can sound as if they were playing a fretted bass anyway - just don't do the mwaaah thing and slide around and with lines appearing like frets from a distance you can fool almost anyone until you actually play some fretless-isms to give it away.
Suburban said:Not at all. The fret free fingerboard is open for everything that the fret bound board, plus all variations you might want. Such as slightly on the edge of out-of-tune, real glissandos, adjustable mwah, miscelanous harmonics tricks, etc.
The feel of the string becomes more natural, which facilitates the playing. It's easier to keep the board clean and nice.
What's the reason for frets, except to compensate for sloppy technique and low level musicality?
You are right! Well said. I am a longtime player (nearly 40 yrs) but only recently started playing fretless, and it is very rewarding. The comparisons were too good to pass up! BTW, my mother was born in Sweden.
Suburban said:What's the reason for frets, except to compensate for sloppy technique and low level musicality?
Well, one reason is fretted basses sound different. There are sounds I can get on a fretted bass that can't be done with a fretless. And, BTW, I'm a big fan of fretless basses. I play mine a lot. But to say there's no point to fretted basses is untrue, IMO. But I guess you were just joking, right?
bassybill said:Well, one reason is fretted basses sound different. There are sounds I can get on a fretted bass that can't be done with a fretless. And, BTW, I'm a big fan of fretless basses. I play mine a lot. But to say there's no point to fretted basses is untrue, IMO. But I guess you were just joking, right?
+1
and whats with all this negative comments around here, if you don't have something nice to say well you know
