Fretless??

[ricfunk74]

So....is anyone out there exclusively playing fretless? I bought a custom built fretless jazz last spring and I've fallen in love with it to the point where I just don't enjoy playing my other basses as much anymore. I've used it with my band and it seems to work with just about any genre that we cover. I'm fighting to keep my intonation accurate, but I don't care. It offers me more freedom and expression. I may be selling my fretted jazz!

 

[Jloch86]

That thing is gorgeous.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Three out of my ten basses are Fretless and they do tend to get the most playtime. Love the tine and playability of Fretless electric bass.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Tone too

 

[JMacBass65]

That thing is gorgeous.

Yeah, that's amazing.

 

[iriegnome]

I have 3 fretless basses. I pull them out for specific gigs only, but I enjoy playing them. Nice looking bass you have got there!! I would love to see more pic's of say the headstock and such!! I say, show her off

 

[Lownote38]

I own one Jazz Bass, and it's an unlined fretless. That's the only way I want a Jazz Bass to be!

 

[Marial]

I did for several years but I'm splitting time between fretted and fretless Jazz basses currently. I went through quite a pick up/preamp saga with my fretless (I'm not sure that journey is over yet) so I started playing my fretted again and I've been enjoying it.

 

[hushnel]

My first fretless was also my first DIY, I played it exclusively for 8 or 9 years. Now I jump around a lot, I'd say a little better than half of rehearsals and gigs I'm using the fretless, but I do like to rotate between the two type, and scale lengths.

 

[Passinwind]

So....is anyone out there exclusively playing fretless?

Yep, for the last 32 years. I started on fretless well before that, have owned all of three fretted basses ever, and none of those lasted much over a year.

 

[Irishbass]

Recently picked up a used Squire VM fretless for 100 euros... I've owned several nice fretless basses over the years but never got to gig them very much because they didn't suit the bands and music I was playing so sadly I always sold them on again when the cobwebs started to gather... this fretless is a cheap and cheerful little bass but the ebanol neck is actually super nice and the mwahh factor is outstanding... since I got it I cant put it down and luckily I now have a weekly gig where I can play it exclusively (trad/folk/fusion) and the other musicians love it... of course at home I'm playing along with Pino and Mick Karn tunes... the 80s was the fretless decade for sure!! I hope there is a massive fretless resurgance because its such a cool instrument

 

[JRA]

So....is anyone out there exclusively playing fretless?

yep, me too. i have several, so i switch them up for different reasons (e.g., active vs. passive, weight, yada yada), but: fretless only here. i do own one fretted p-lyte just in case i need to throw some slap/pop on a recording, but i haven't 'played' it for years. i pick it up every 6 months or so just to see if the neck needs an adjustment, then put it back on the wall.

your instrument is really, really nice looking: i'll bet it plays great --- congratulations on your 'fretless love'! nothing wrong with preferring to play a bass without speed bumps!

 

[jamro217]

Love the fretless.

 

[Brother Goose]

That is a lovely bass!!

I've played fretless exclusively for periods of time over my 24 years of bassdom.

I enjoy playing a fair amount of slap and styles of music that really demand fret noise and a certain atta k so I can't be without a fretted bass.

I also sing in most projects and find that to be far more challenging on a fretless.

Your results may vary but I'd encourage you to keep a fretted for ease of use/ backup/gigs that demand that sound.

Good luck!

 

[GretschWretch]

Have fretteds too, but MUCH prefer fretless.

 

[DavidG]

... I may be selling my fretted jazz!View attachment 1002627

I am a mostly fretless guy but don't get carried away and sell your fretted jazz. You will find a situation where you need it.

 

[J. Crawford]

Don't move too swift and sell your fretted. If anything, be sure to buy another (cheaper) fretted bass for when the time calls.

 

[danieledanny]

I play just fretless by now

 

[pingvuiini]

So....is anyone out there exclusively playing fretless?View attachment 1002627

Fretless only here too.

 

[Skokiaan]

So....is anyone out there exclusively playing fretless? I bought a custom built fretless jazz last spring and I've fallen in love with it to the point where I just don't enjoy playing my other basses as much anymore. I've used it with my band and it seems to work with just about any genre that we cover. I'm fighting to keep my intonation accurate, but I don't care. It offers me more freedom and expression. I may be selling my fretted jazz!View attachment 1002627

Sweet bass.

I play fretless almost exclusively. My story is similar to yours. Once I started playing my fretless I had little interest in playing fretted.