Fretless (Lined vs UNlined)

[jlepre]

I am considering my next bass to be a fretless. I really love the look of the unlined neck, but I see many more LINED? Why is that? I mean you can't feel the lines when you play, and in a live situation, you can't really SEE them either. I mean aren't you supposed to go on feel and your ear when playing fretless? Please advise as I am not an experienced fretless player.

Thanks!

 

[Jkeeley]

some people feel nervous about going from fretted to unlined fretless, so I think lined fretless sort of acts like training wheels. nothing wrong with either (infact I have one of each)

 

[dhagler]

It is true you are supposed to play by feel, but the lines are helpful until you get the hang of it. I have been playing fretless for a year, and I look at my neck a lot less than I used to, but every now and then I have to look to make sure I am fingering in the right place. And yes, you ear will definitely let you know if you're off.

Just my two cents.

 

[Jared Lash]

This topic has been done a plethora of times. I think you could find a lot of good info on it with a search.

That said, here's a quick encapsulation of the arguments that often ensue:

If you get a lined fretless, you're a wuss.
If you get an unlined fretless, you're an idiot.



I've had both (my next Stambaugh will be a fretless with subtle inlaid lines) and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Personally I like the look of an unlined fretless a lot more too. And while a lined can help your intonation, it only does so if you have your bass set up as accurately as possible.

As for using your ear with a fretless, I think that's a misnomer that's a bit off base. You use your fingers - which is to say that practice and muscle memory is key. Your ear can only tell you when a note is off pitch and at that point it's too late. Sure you can roll your finger to "right" the note, but it doesn't erase that initial mistake.

 

[Oric]

I'm planning on buying a Vintage Modified fretless Squier Jazz today- it has lines. I love the look of unlined, but the Squier is inexpensive, really good, and fretless. I just want a good fretless.

 

[tdmorley]

I'm going to argue that a lined fretless can promote
bad intonation. Some people think that if their fingers
are on the line then it must be in tune. In reality one
must listen carefully. A similar issue happened in the
19th century with the Serpent - a bass brass wind that
was used in some churches. As it developed more keys
(rather then being lipped or "half holed" to accidentals),
the complaints about bad intonation increased.

That being said, listening is the important part of
good intonation. Don't rely entirely on the lines

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

i own a lined, and i love it! but i love it because it's a fretless! yeah, the lines help me get my initial hand position, but i hardly use them past that. it's a personal preference. it's still your ears that will make the most difference.
find one that feels right, and sounds good, and play crap out of it! whether it has lines or not is inconsequential.

 

[tdmorley]

As for using your ear with a fretless, I think that's a misnomer that's a bit off base. You use your fingers - which is to say that practice and muscle memory is key. Your ear can only tell you when a note is off pitch and at that point it's too late. Sure you can roll your finger to "right" the note, but it doesn't erase that initial mistake.

The ear must be used in practice to get the muscle menory
right

 

[ClassicRock55]

Here's my take: I got a Warwick Fretless 'vette with an unlined fingerboard. it has dots on the top of the neck to show where the frets are, spaced every two frets and on the exact tone. i find it easier than a lined board because it shows you the exact point where you put your finger instead of having to guess with lines

 

[kissmybASS01]

My "vintage" 1986 MIJ fretless Fender Jazz Bass Special is unlined. Having those ugly lines painted on the fingerboard is like those "sports cars" with automatic transmissions.

Practice with a chromatic tuner and get the feel of where a particular note sings. Besides, most unlined basses have the dots on the side anyways.

 

[Jared Lash]

The ear must be used in practice to get the muscle menory
right

Of course.

 

[Baryonyx]

TS, if you can't see the lines when playing live, try opening your eyes. I'm a lined player myself. My first fretless was unlined, and I find them a lot easier to play accurately with lines. Just personal preference. I certainly don't buy the argument that lines are for wimps, tell that to Gary Willis and Jaco!

 

[little-ripper]

i think unlined is better, because it looks cool and isn't that hard to make the transission from fretted. it only took about a week to totally get the hang of it for me.
but it's your choice.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Maybe we'll get through this without the usual controversy over manhood and talent as manifested by one's preference for unlined or lined fingerboards. I hope so, anyway.

So here goes:

I have two fretless Fenders: a lined Standard Jazz and a Precision with an unlined maple fingerboard Warmoth neck.

If you need the lines, go for it.

Lines annoy me, which is why I ordered the Warmoth neck without them. It has dots where the frets would be -- but not at every fret, only at the positions that have dots on a fretted neck: III, V, VII, IX, XII, XV, and XVII.

That left me more opportunity than I expected to find alternate intervals in the music, so I bought a roll of pinstriping tape at Auto Zone and carefully placed small squares of it (.125" x .125") at all the "fret" positions. They are placed so they wrap over the edge of the fingerboard; they are nearly invisible a few feet away but in clear line of sight of the player.

I added a Sharpie black dot (the tape is silver) al punto where the exact fret would be.

The result is a clean looking fingerboard that still allows me to play in tune with very little effort, and, man, does it sound good! I've been playing it in preparation for an upcoming Make A Wish Foundation Benefit and I'm confident it'll do the job.

Godin makes a pair of fretless AGBs (A4, A5) with unlined fingerboards that have what appear (from the player's perspective) fret ends inlaid in the edge of the fingerboard. A guy at my church has one and it looks like the perfect answer. I just wish Warmoth offered an option like that -- I guarantee they'd be on mine.

 

[spade2you]

I think you see more lined fretless because it's easier for mass production to simply fill in the fret lines than to offer 2 different products. I also think lines are popular because a lot of people think it will make things easier.

I personally see it more difficult to line up my finger perfectly on the edge of the fret line and somehow coordinate my eye, finger, and ear together. I like the look of unlined and the idea that I don't need to worry about lines expanding or contracting at a different rate than the fingerboard. It also discourages n00bs from touching my basses due to the intimidation factor.

My preferred config is to have side dots for where every line would be and some dots on the upper register on 6+ string basses. Really, I don't spend much time relying on the side dots, but I like them there because that's how I learned fretless and I'd rather further my playing than to relearn the instrument.

When the day is done, it just matters what YOU like and works well for ya. If lined doesn't work, try unlined and vice versa.

 

[Coldaccord]

my dad has a fretless (w/fretmarks, it's a converted fender neck) that I often play, and it would be more difficult without the fret markers. just eases the transition, ya know? and also because of the fret markers, I find it easier when I play the upright

 

[Visirale]

I like my lines because it keeps my basses looking traditional.

The unlined boards usually go on the driftwood basses that I'm not too big a fan of .

 

[Crazyeelboy]

After playing fretted basses exclusively for a very long time, I bought a fretless Corvette (unlined, and at a very good deal at the GC in Tampa - they were happy to negotiate!). At first I was worried that I'd get lost on the neck - that lasted about 5 minutes. Once you play the instrument for a little while, lined or unlined will just be a cosmetic issue.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I have both. I prefer unlined for the appearance. (But it's fun when people think you're not playing a fretless and then they find out!)

My ideal would be factory side lines, similar to what lpdeluxe created. I had them put onto the Maize unlined fretless.

But I really don't look much at the neck anyway. I'm so used to fretless that I have to pay attention to a fretted neck! Otherwise I'm planting my fingers right atop the frets.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I think you see more lined fretless because it's easier for mass production to simply fill in the fret lines than to offer 2 different products. I also think lines are popular because a lot of people think it will make things easier.

Pretty good summary. After all, St Jaco had lines because he was using a defretted J. I'm fairly sure he could have played the same endless circles around me on unlined as he could on lined.