Fretless - should I?

[Yonni]

UPDATE:

I ordered the black unlined version (top photo above). I got sidelines and unlined fretboard. Just got to wait until August/September now...

 

[embellisher]

I have always loved the sound of fretless since I first heard Brand X in the 80s. My mum passed away mast year and I'm a out to get an large inheritance. I already have 3 bases. Music is a hobby and I only play in a covers band that a P and a J are enough for. I'm thinking of getting a fretless with some of the inheritance money as a way to remember my mum. My only worry is that I will find the transition hard and not enjoy it. Any tips, thoughts or ideas for a fretless newbie? I would use it for composing and my own compositions rather than the covers band.

Sorry for your loss.

If you want to play fretless, I suggest getting a really nice one. I owned a cheap fretless for years, and never really played it much.

About 25 years ago, I got a fretless that was equal in quality, playability and sound to my best fretted basses.

It resulted in me playing fretless about 80% of the time for a couple of years.

The feel, the tone, I just love the way a good fretless sounds and feels.

These days, I don't play fretless as much as I did back then, but I still feel the same way about this bass. It's a keeper until I leave this world for the next.

 

[WG Plum]

UPDATE:

I ordered the black unlined version (top photo above). I got sidelines and unlined fretboard. Just got to wait until August/September now...

Congrats, and sorry for your loss. Fretless is a blast and what I play primarily. I have lined and unlined fretlesses and at this point it doesn't make a huge difference except in the upper register. Enjoy the new journey!

 

[Yonni]

Sorry for your loss.

If you want to play fretless, I suggest getting a really nice one. I owned a cheap fretless for years, and never really played it much.

About 25 years ago, I got a fretless that was equal in quality, playability and sound to my best fretted basses.

It resulted in me playing fretless about 80% of the time for a couple of years.

The feel, the tone, I just love the way a good fretless sounds and feels.

These days, I don't play fretless as much as I did back then, but I still feel the same way about this bass. It's a keeper until I leave this world for the next.

View attachment 7197806

Nice. I did consider a Zon on Reverb.

 

[Gorn]

Fretless is easier than fretted. Hard stop.
There are no wrong positions. If you misplace your finger on fretted it makes an awful racket but on fretless you turn that into a beautiful glissando.
You can play any song on fretless.

Sorry for your loss.

That's the kind of bass playing I never wanna hear. Of course there are wrong positions. Glissando-ing into a note doesn't necessarily make for good music, IMO. You might enjoy it. Different strokes for different folks.