Right when I got a fretless my fretted suddenly went bad in the electronics so I played the fretless for a year straight no matter what style. Once I got the fretted bass fixed I didn't like it anymore due to having played the fretless so much! 
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Fretless??
- Thread starter ricfunk74
- Start date
I was fretless exclusively for about 25 years (early 80's to late 2000's). Some time around then I wandered into a pawn shop and broke my streak.
I would be one that doesn't buy the assumption that you can only use fretless in certain genres, as I had played punk, dance, gospel, motown, blues, country and funk on non fretted axes. Sure, sometimes you can't execute the stereotypical sounds, but so what, that only makes you rethink your approach. That can be a good thing.
I would be one that doesn't buy the assumption that you can only use fretless in certain genres, as I had played punk, dance, gospel, motown, blues, country and funk on non fretted axes. Sure, sometimes you can't execute the stereotypical sounds, but so what, that only makes you rethink your approach. That can be a good thing.
That's right. I've gone thru whole nights on a lined FL where no one even knew. If the music isn't appropriate for mwah & gliss, etc. just don't do it. Play tight.
I've got two fretless basses. To my mind they're one more tool in the toolbox. Just like fretted basses. I use whatever I think will work best when selecting which bass I'm going to play.
Short-scale, long-scale, 5-string, 4-string, ERB, ABG, CBB, keyboard synth bass, upright…I refuse to put arbitrary self-imposed limits on which instrument I'll use in my role as a bass player.
Short-scale, long-scale, 5-string, 4-string, ERB, ABG, CBB, keyboard synth bass, upright…I refuse to put arbitrary self-imposed limits on which instrument I'll use in my role as a bass player.
So, many responses contain "I have three." Well, I have three fretless basses as well. Weird. Anyway, when I first played fretless I also thought I'd never pick up a fretted bass again. Played it exclusively for years in my original band. I did go back to fretted when I joined a cover band. Now I enjoy playing both.
To thine ownself be true......We share the same philosophy. Happy fretlessing!
You betcha! With us I suspect it's more we see ourselves as:
- musicians first
- bassists second
- and XYZ bass instrument players third.
Ok...a lot of you have three fretless basses. I only have two.
So…I guess I really need to get at least one more bass. Am I right?
I said: Am I right?
You are so right that even though we are not in the classifieds (and are pretty far from where this thread started) I want to "cross-post"(?) that I have two unique fretless basses for sale here on TB. If anyone wants to graduate from two to three fretless basses or just wants to treat themselves to a beautiful boutique instrument for Christmas please hit me up!
For Sale - Kenneth Lawrence - Very special fretless bass needs new home
For Sale - Black Wednesday Sale! - Leduc Ubass headless 5-string fretless
I'm not exclusively fretless--but almost--since I got my fretless I have played my fretted, but much less--and I have played the fretless way more in a short time than the amount I played the fretted in several years.
Those bumps on the neck feel funny now.
Those bumps on the neck feel funny now.
