Fretless with a pick?

[BassClef 2010]

I have a rock gig that requires some pick playing and my only current bass is fretless, will that sound good in a rock setting?
Is the Fretless/Pick combo blasphemy? Does it sound good with a full band?
Thanks.

 

[J. Crawford]

Sure does sound good with dead notes and an envelope filter! Thats my "Hey, look I play bass random person!" technique.. Its always funky.

 

[M0ses]

Go play with a full band, and then you will know.

 

[Lo-E]

If you rock it like you own it, it'll sound good.
Sincerity will overshadow anything unconventional about your rig or your technique.
Sure, fretless with a pick is an odd combination, but why shouldn't it work? Just play your heart out. No one will question anything!

 

[M0ses]

Then again, maybe if your rock gig "requires" pick playing, it "requires" frets, too.

No. Play how you want. Play what you've got. And play what sounds good.

 

[groooooove]

looks like you have no choice. just do it... how bad can it be?

 

[hdracer]

Try it, you may find that fretless isn't just for jazz players. I get some great sound doing it, add some fuzz and the growl goes up!!

 

[Boguszewivz]

Watch this video, all your doubts about playing fretless with a pick will be flushed away. (NB: he doesn't actually whip out the pick till about a quarter of the way in )

 

[JimmyM]

sting w/the police
dave gilmour w/pink floyd
bill wyman w/the stones

hey, why not?

 

[JohnnyNacho]

IMO, it's sometimes better, depends on the bass

 

[stanger503]

i have done it...was in your exact situation and i made it work well for me

 

[All_¥our_Bass]

I think it sounds really cool!!

 

[Les Fret]

two words: Carles Benevant

 

[MagicMan_841]

 

[Les Fret]

cool sound man! how did you get that tone? what overdrive are you using?

 

[dohead]

Metallica - Until it sleeps

nuff said

 

[pandaman37]

those vids were badass. i love that tone, especially with the pick, cos i dont usually like the sound of pickbass.