Fretlesss?

[Skel]

I was just wondering if anyone here has ever done a really conventional, top 40 cover tune type gig with a fretless bass and what it was like. Just curious!

Skel

 

[Tony G]

I've never done it with just a fretless... You mean nothing but, right? I suppose it can be done if you roll on both pickups and go for a punchier less mwah like sound.

 

[Scottgun]

When I pick my fretless, you can't really tell its fretless unless I slide or finger out of tune.

 

[alanbass1]

I remeber watching a Prince's trust concert in UK back in the 80's, where they got a (UK) star studded house band together who backed up the chart toppers of the day. Phil Collins was on drums, Brian May and Midge Ure on guitars, Howard Jones on Keyboards, a cool brass section and on bass....Mick Karn (from Japan) playing his Wal fretless the whole gig. They backed Rick Astley (don't ask), Black, Peter Gabriel amongst many others, and the bass was great throughout. He did every song in his own (Japan/Mwah) style and even Sledgehammer sounded great.

 

[bassksun]

I was just wondering if anyone here has ever done a really conventional, top 40 cover tune type gig with a fretless bass and what it was like. Just curious!

Skel

Yup. Berlin-Take My Breath Away; Duran Duran-Save A Prayer; Dn Henley-Boys of Summer.

Both of these required effects like chorus, flanger and delay--yuck.
I used my ESP B104. Any fretless will do because these tunes are so heavy on the effects. Luckily I had a good setup and intonation.

Be careful of what you pick to play. Some tunes require a little more *mwah* so it's good to have a setup that gives you versatility. IMHO it doesn't matter what you play with for most Top40 music.

Good luck.

 

[bassksun]

Mick Karn (from Japan) playing his Wal fretless the whole gig. He did every song in his own (Japan/Mwah) style and even Sledgehammer sounded great.

Wish I could have seen that..

 

[Baryonyx]

Rick Astley (don't ask)

Oh dear. The likes of Brian May and Mick Karn should not be made to suffer Rick Astley!

But yes, I have used my fretless for doing a few old cover songs. I used it at a charity gig for an 80's cover band, I think I used it for a Fine Young Cannibals number, a couple of Squeeze songs and thats about it. Songs like 99 Luft Ballons needed that fretted "pop".

 

[Tom Howland]

When I pick my fretless, you can't really tell its fretless unless I slide or finger out of tune.

+1
I've played fretless, in many styles of music.

 

[Coop Soup]

+1
I've played fretless, in many styles of music.

+1 as well. You can play a fretless and hold back on the mwah sound, or do it up when applicable.