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Fretless or 5 string?

Lumpy_Bass

Lumpy_Bass

Jun 8, 2010
196
11
Hockessin, Delaware
www.instagram.com
#1
What's Up TB'ers
I am in the market for a bass. (as many of you cats who responded the my 0 thread know , which I GREATLY appreciate. Man, I love TB!

Anyway, from that I have pretty much narrowed it down to either a 5 string or Fretless. I am an 18 year, exclusively 4 string player that has never owned either so here I am back for your opinions TB'ers.

As always Any and All input is appreciated
 
#5
After playing for about 15 years, I went in 1.5 years from having played only 4 stringers to owning my first fretted 6 string, and getting a 6 string fretless.

I ask you a couple of questions. Do you have a preference or greater need for either a fretted 5 or a fretless? Are you just burning to unleash on a fretless?

The reason I ask is that depending on the style or styles or music you are playing, a fretless may or may not fit tonally. A 5 strign fretted might. Take that into consideration. Also, if you are worried about taking on a 4 versus a 5 string it is not a big deal.
 
#6
I would say that you should get a fretless four or a five string, then get the other one later on, but that line of thinking has caused me to have to wait five years to purchase a fretless thanks to income lol. What -I- would do is go to the closest big guitar store that has both items you're looking at, play them both a whole lot, and figure out which one is better for you at this point in time. And include getting a fretless five as well; once you play one, you might decide you dig it :)
 
#9
personally, i'd go fretless. you'll learn so much more about playing and better your playing too. then later on in life, make the jump to a 5 or even a 6.

i recently bit the bullet and went to only fretless after about 13 years of switching back and forth from fretted to fretless. and my newest challenge is playing ONLY 6 string fretless. it's pretty cool. you can really expand your horizons by taking these klinds of "risks".

good luck, hope this helps.
 
#10
markkoelsch said:
After playing for about 15 years, I went in 1.5 years from having played only 4 stringers to owning my first fretted 6 string, and getting a 6 string fretless.

I ask you a couple of questions. Do you have a preference or greater need for either a fretted 5 or a fretless? Are you just burning to unleash on a fretless?

The reason I ask is that depending on the style or styles or music you are playing, a fretless may or may not fit tonally. A 5 strign fretted might. Take that into consideration. Also, if you are worried about taking on a 4 versus a 5 string it is not a big deal.
Click to expand...

I started this whole pursuit looking to get a Squier VM fretless but after finding some good deals on 5 stringers on Cl and Tb Classifieds I've added that to the consideration mix. These are the two bands I play in:

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Both bands do a 70 / 30 covers to originals mix for most gigs. (The ones that actually pay at least!!)

I am sure I could work the fretless in for some tunes but would still probably have to bring a fretted as well.

However, yes I am burning to get loose on a fretless so I am torn:hmm:
 
#12
markkoelsch said:
The reason I ask is that depending on the style or styles or music you are playing, a fretless may or may not fit tonally.
Click to expand...

this is a very good point, but i threw that notion away a long time ago. i play in a thrash/prog/metal band (if that makes sense). a fretted 4 string P bass would be the best fit, but i play a fretless 6 string Carvin. doesn't make much sense, but it works.
 
#14
IMHO, the real question is why you're looking for a new bass. Maybe, you should look to a fretless b/c you can still use your existing bass for much of the playing we all do. If you go to a 5 (which, for the record, I prefer) you have reallly only gained a few, likely rarely used low notes (or a whole string of solo opportunities). With a fretless, you gain a whole new sound. I would suggest that most find that there is some learning curve with the fretless and that you might want to play it exclusively for a few months. I know others will disagree but to really get confident on a new instrument & to be comfortable that you're not going to be out of tune it takes most a bit of time.

...2 cents...
 
#16
I'd choose a 5-String fretless. I don't think the learning curve for the 5 will be as great as you expect. It's just an extra low B string. You are already familiar with the 4 higher strings EADG. Then it'll just be a matter of learning to play fretless, which will require practice and patience.
 
#17
IMO and IME and etc, etc. ....if it's really an either/or choice between a fretted 5 and a fretless 4 AND you're wanting to focus on jazz, particularly any kind of jazz involving swing/bebop rhythms you should go fretless.

But if you're playing a wide variety of styles, I'd say take the leap to a five-string. I just made the leap to a fretted 5 after many years (okay, several decades) of exclusively playing 4-string. I'm adapting faster than I thought I would.

I play fretless, too, and since I have a great 4-string fretless on order I'll likely stay with 4-string fretless for a while.

I'll also add that as far as I'm concerned you can play any type of bass on any type of music. (and p.s. given an unlimited budget and unlimited time to play, I'd probably have 4, 5 and 6 string fretted AND fretless basses).
 
#18
BluesWalker said:
Why not both in one bass?
Click to expand...

+1

rick0link said:
this is a very good point, but i threw that notion away a long time ago. i play in a thrash/prog/metal band (if that makes sense). a fretted 4 string P bass would be the best fit, but i play a fretless 6 string Carvin. doesn't make much sense, but it works.
Click to expand...

I LOVE THIS! That was exactly my plan! :D
 
#19
In my experience it takes a lot longer to adjust to fretless than it does to 5 string. I have two basses, a carvin 5 string and a fretless 4 string j bass. I got used to the carvin in just a couple weeks but It has taken me forever to feel competent with the fretless. Now that I do, however, it is incredibly rewarding.
 
#20
I switched to 5 string 10 yrs ago and that's all I play as of this minute. Tho, 2 yrs ago I purchased a Squier FVM Fretless just so that I could get into fretless for cheap and it's turned out to be quite fun. I don't play the fretless during live performances, that's strickly just the AS Jazz V, but I'm glad I got the fretless just so I can have if the occasion arises.;)
 

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