Fretless players; lined or unlined? and why?

[fishdreams]

Unlined, for the looks, and because I prefer uncoated fretboard, as I have on my current Martin Keith; with the humidity changes in the climate here, lined on an uncoated board would be a risk.

That said, it is not a matter of life and death. I played my coated and lined Linc for many years quite happily-just because there are lines, it doesn't mean I have to look at them

 

[Ric Vice]

All my background playing bass is in Double Bass technique. The Double Bass fingerboard has a curved radius. It's more comfortable to play and intonate. When I transition to fretless EB I find I need the

slight indent at the maple fret lines, it's something like the old Gibson "fretless wonder" guitars. I find playing on a entirely flat ebony board with no curve very difficult without those maple reference markers.

I'm not looking at them but my fingers feel them. Just my take. If I were to play a fretless without lines I would need for the fingerboard to be curved like the Takamine TB-10.

 

[ElectricBass72]

Lined... because I'm an exceptionally average bass player.

 

[maxschrek]

 

[idorky]

unlined, side dots works great if the axe is properly intonated

 

[devnulljp]

Just wanted to state my view that electric bass and upright are completely different instruments. The feel points you have on an upright, or classical double bass, don't exist on a bass guitar, which is why unlined doesn't work very well. Just my view and experience. I play violin, viola, and now cello - and tuning aren't an issue due to being able to feel the positions.

I agree they're different, but completely? I can feel my way around both pretty easily without looking. Just a matter of familiarity. I guess i might not really know what you mean by 'feel points'

 

[coyote1]

I have both, and generally prefer the unlined basses. I learned how to play bass on an unlined fretless, so that is where I am at home. Part of it is the look of a clean unlined fretboard, part of it is that I like the challenge of getting my intonation right without the aid of lines. That's just what I like though.

Unlined. Looks far classier, and since I’m mostly reading music while playing there’s no benefit whatsoever in trying to look at the fingerboard.

Side dots are OK on a fretless with a fixed bridge; they can help far more than fingerboard lines for a quick glance. But if the bridge is movable then I don’t even want that. Like you, I want to develop the muscle memory and ear to the point that there would be no need for looking at the fingerboard.

as for “feel position”, IMO that depends significantly on how you are losing the instrument. If you have it down by your knees like Jimmy Page or the punk rock guys, then indeed there is no such thing as feel position. But if you hold your instrument in a more ‘classical’ position, then yes that feel for position can be developed.

 

[Jefenator]

IMHO with proper technique & muscle memory, one shouldn't be needing a constant visual reference for each individual note spot...
... ah, who am I kidding? I prefer unlined mostly because I think it looks cooler.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

4 of my 18 basses are Fretless. My 1st bass was a lined jazz. My 2nd Fretless was also lined. Number 3 and 4 are are unlined.

I prefer the look of the unlined. I love the sound and playability of my lined. Don’t see getting rid of any of them. If I get anymore I will probably go unlined.

Try playing both and especially try the one you want to buy if at all possible.

I still play fretted basses but really enjoy Fretless. If you’re interested I think you will too.

 

[misterCRUSH]

I have both. I prefer unlined, though lined sure comes in handy when doing chordal stuff. My favorite configuration though is unlined with sidelines, such as on the Ibanez SRF700. It's the best of both worlds.

View attachment 4170592

Looks like you have the SRH500F sitting next to that one. For me this is essentially an unlined bass since the lines are all but invisible. I love that bass....I play it every day..

 

[Artman]

My 1982 Pedulla is lined, but I’m the second owner and even though it was 1991, I could not pass up a Pedulla Buzz for only $800.
I learned to play bass on an unlined fretless Univox, and my number one for many years was a 1980-something Ibanez Roadstar II that had an unlined fretless fingerboard and luminous side dots. I wish that I still had that one.
Honestly, for live performances, I find the fretlines useless anyway since I spend so little time in the spotlight and cannot see them anyway.

Luminous side dots where the fret ends would be are much more useful.

 

[amper]

Lines are an unnecessary distraction that can actually be more of a hindrance than a help, since unlike a fretted instrument, a fretless player is capable of precise intonation on the fly. Lines are a psychological crutch that attract your fingers and can cause your eyes to override your ears.

 

[LowActionHero]

I didn't vote, I prefer the looks of unlined (like EVERYONE else) but that would take a level of skill that I'm not up to yet. Lines are more practical for me, at least right now. I don't have to look, but they're there if I need em.

I think I'd be fine with side markers and no lines. I'd like to try one.

I need to redo the Defretted Peavey I bought. I'm thinking about matching the maple so the lines are still there, but really subtle

 

[swarfrat]

Unlined is just a thing of beauty. Yes lines are helpful. Also, part of me is like"I did the work to get good at this thing. I don't want people thinking it's fretted." But not really, cause I'm not there yet.

 

[Trailertrash74]

I don't play my fretless a bunch but it has lines because I converted to a fretless. I would say I could do without the lines because I rely on the dots to get me close and my ears to do the rest.

 

[mr80htz]

If you get an unlined fretless you can learn to play with good intonation
as you just need to practice, learn how your fingers feel in every hand position (and notice how each one differs slightly), and play along to easy songs. Earn your fretless ability! I bought an unlined fretless (Washburn Taurus) and learned it ok so far. I might even bring it to a gig at this point. I'm so glad I did as I would absolutely want to sell a lined fretless if I had one at this point. Just put the time into an unlined and make it a hobby project.

 

[lbbc]

I had an Aria 1420 from 1973 made fretless. Due to the age of the bass, the wood used to fill the frets was lighter, so it looked like a lined fretless. Loved the "mwah" sound, but it looked a little "hideous in my opinion

 

[Smooth_bass88]

24979273[/URL], member: 28348"]Lines are an unnecessary distraction that can actually be more of a hindrance than a help, since unlike a fretted instrument, a fretless player is capable of precise intonation on the fly. Lines are a psychological crutch that attract your fingers and can cause your eyes to override your ears.

Really? I’ve been playing my LINED fretless for over 20 years and have gotten nothing but praise and complements for both my tone and playing. Literally not one single person who’s hired me to play fretless live or on their albums has commented on the fact that it has lines. Should I just go ahead and throw it in the garbage or... ?

 

[WillyW]

anyway.... side dots

When I first started fretless I ordered a warmoth neck with no lines and no dots... (yeah stupid)

I also had one that had extremely poorly placed dots.

on both I intonated and placed my own dots so my fingers would be roughly in tune exactly on the dot.

Later I got more than one bass from different manufacturers with side dots already installed.

ALL of them intonated with my fingers just low of the dots.

I have ZERO problems playing in tune because they are just a reference.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I have a lined fretless. It can't hurt to have it just in case.

Sorry, dont mean to steal/jack your post. But I thought Id share a funny story. I played in on a poorly lit stage a few year ago in a VFW hall. there was some dim ambient light but often the stage would go completely dark! I mean pitch dark! while we were playing Come Together, a song I try to Slide all over the place, so I need to know were I am on the fret board! so just at the first change I look down & cant see Anything! I panic! I look down & see nothing but Blackness! I have to lean way over to see the front of the fret board!Like a total NOOB!I could barely see the shiny frets! But I could see the frontDots! It felt like forever to find that G or A! I felt like helen keller walking in the dark! I know I should know where G is but when ya got no FB reference, Its frightening! Usually that song is a Home run in the set, but now felt tenuous!I lost my bearings & confidence It shook up the whole band! But I managed to get through it!

After as we were packing up with the Full lights a blazed I looked at my bass ( Maple neck,RW board) the side dots were either pushed in too far or had popped out! I surmised I would need to redrill & install new side dots, maybe those Lumina(glow dots)! Ugh! I wasnt looking forward to that project, But at least It wasnt totally my fault or aging eyes!

A week of scouring the web & thinking of a solution I found some very cool inlay stickers in a metal finish, that when applied looked like tiny reflectors in dim light! the only problem is my left thumb would Always rub them off! OUCH! easy/cheap solution after a visit to hobby store was gluing them down. my Girlfriend suggested Modge podge (dries clear& is sandable) after I asked to borrow her Clear Nail polish, after 1st glue dried too cloudy(milky white). MP worked great & was super clear too!

After that panic on stage in front of a big crowd I Never want to look down & see nothing! Have No reference to where I was. Cant imagine that scenario with a Unlined Fretless! So I would Say Lined Defnitely!! Lined!
Again sorry if I jacked your post!