• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fretlines or not?

#21
pankykapus said:
Actually you shouldn't care about how it looks, get which feels the best.
Click to expand...

But what I hate about visible fretlines is that people don't realize you're playing a fretless bass. I've had more than a few come up to me to admire the bass, and do a double take: "Oh! I thought those were frets!"

If you take the trouble to get comfortable playing fretless, you ought to get the credit.
 
#22
I've had both, a MIM Jazz fretless with lines and a Precision with an unlined maple fingerboard.

To me, it's all about appearance. The lines look ugly to me, so I got one without 'em.

People say to me, "fretlines were good enough for Jaco" to which I reply, "I ain't Jaco." End of story.

Here's the J:

FenderStandardJazzFretless.gif


And the P:

FenderStandardPrecisionwHartke.jpg
 
#23
Illbay said:
But what I hate about visible fretlines is that people don't realize you're playing a fretless bass. I've had more than a few come up to me to admire the bass, and do a double take: "Oh! I thought those were frets!"

If you take the trouble to get comfortable playing fretless, you ought to get the credit.
Click to expand...

That'll get my vote for "silliest reason to play an unlined" :D
 
#25
To the OP, who will think you look ridiculous playing a lined fretless? Bassists would notice lines but the overwhelming majority of the audience won't. And be honest, the majority of your audience won't even know you're playing a BASS as opposed to a guitar, let alone that it's fretless! :p). They WILL, however, notice a bassist who can't play his instrument. ;) If you're more comfortable with lines, or if you found a lined fretless that is the perfect bass for you, then go with lines.

Your friend is the one being ridiculous.
 
#27
I would recomend fretlines.

I bet that most people who prefers basses without fretlines, does so because it looks cool.
I also bet that they play way more out of tune than players with fretlines.
So...how do you wanne be judged? looks or sound?
 
#28
BigOldHarry said:
Fretlines = bad (my opinion)

Have you ever seen an upright bass with fretlines??

'nuff said.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have. And dots. And going by that logic- all the great composers and musicians that lived prior to 1900- did they have flushing toilets? No. 'nuff said, right? Or maybe we should take into consideration the fact that just because something exists via tradition doesn't necessarily mean it's the most intelligent way to go about things for everyone.
 
#31
BigOldHarry said:
Fretlines = bad (my opinion)

Have you ever seen an upright bass with fretlines??

'nuff said.
Click to expand...

I've even seen an upright with frets!!!:eek:

To the other posters: Thanks alot :) I Think I'll build my bass fretless now with fretlines and simply go play for the fun of it. If in distant future I feel good enough to go on stage with a fretless i might reconsider buying an unlined one but until then i'll just play.;)
 
#32
lpdeluxe said:
I've had both, a MIM Jazz fretless with lines and a Precision with an unlined maple fingerboard.

To me, it's all about appearance. The lines look ugly to me, so I got one without 'em.

People say to me, "fretlines were good enough for Jaco" to which I reply, "I ain't Jaco." End of story.

Here's the J:

FenderStandardJazzFretless.gif


And the P:

FenderStandardPrecisionwHartke.jpg
Click to expand...

How does the maple fingerboard hold up? Does it get eaten by flats, or not?
 
#33
I've been toying with the idea of a fretless Carvin. They offer them with the option of lines AND dots, which is what I would get.

Who cares if it looks like a fretted bass, as long as it's a professional looking job? If it makes you feel more comfortable, you'll be more confident, and you'll play better.

Let any critics chew on that.
 
#34
My MIJ Jazz Fretless has side dots on the fret positions (3,5, etc). I find this preferable to lines. On a fretted bass you are putting your finger near the dot (between the frets) anyway to fret the note. The side dots at the fret positions seems more intuitive to me (as I play mostly fretted fivers).

Here's my 90's MIJ with EMG's and strung with TI Jazz flats.

3774491649_63d054d0a5.jpg
 
#36
BigOldHarry said:
Fretlines = bad (my opinion)

Have you ever seen an upright bass with fretlines??

'nuff said.
Click to expand...

Yes at an elementry school..lol.. I don't know if anybody else brought this up (I didn't want to read all of the postings) But fretless is all about your ears. If you have a decent vibrato then you will be fine without the lines. Once you go fretless it's hard to go back to fretted. In my head anyway. Don't forget Jaco's bass had frets he took them out and filled the slots.
 
#37
You can't compare upright to fretless bass when discussing positions and intonation..the techniques and fingerings used are completely different. How many of us use thumb position in the upper register on electric bass? The upright is a little easier to find your place on the neck. Electric bass doesn't have the 'landmarks" that upright has. So I think it makes sense to go with lines especially in the upper register above 12th fret.

Lines are also great if like me you play fretted most of the time and fretless occasionally.
 
#38
Fret lines don't work on an upright because of the geometry of the instrument and the proximity of the performer- things are distorted, you'd have to lean way over to get any benefit at all, same on an EUB. However, it is also noteworthy (and apropos to this conversation) that Edgar Meyer has a few strategically located dots on his fingerboard.....the proof is in the pudding, and I'd say his pudding is pretty convincing.
Lines are better on a fretless, the way I see it- I want every advantage to hitting a note in tune, sure, most of it comes from having good technique and a good ear, but when i am reading music and have one nano second to eyeball that 13th fret Ab before I play it, brother I like having that line to help out . As for the aesthetics I could not care less if some else "knows" I am playing a fretless....they just know that it sounds good....most of the time.
 
#39
I've played both, upright and electric. And yes they really are two different instruments. But any good player should be able to play without looking at your left hand. After all you should be looking at the sheet music. But for a beginner lines might be a way to go. I personally woudn't because it might become a habit thats hard to break.
 
#40
Lines? No. They are confusing to be because I'm usually singing. Usually lined necks have the dots in between fret lines instead of where they should be....on the note. Maybe if I was only playing bass I could appreciate them more. Besides, unlined necks are sexy.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back