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Fretlines or not?

#41
Doesn't matter. I've played both. My fretless for twenty years was unlined, and I just got a lined fretless (why? because the used Lakland Deluxe I found was lined). Having played the new lined one a lot in the last month, it doesn't matter to me at all.

Bottom line is you're going to have to use and trust your ear. Paralax and the size of our fingers will conspire so that stopping the note right were the line appears won't give you any more accuracy than just putting the finger down on the board. Use the presence or lack of lines as the LAST thing to evaluate in choosing a fretless. Start with the basics- does it SOUND good, is it dependable, and is it playable?

jte
 
#42
My fretless is actually a defreted Rosewood fingerboard that was filled with a slightly lighter wood. Personally that's the look that I love. It's also an old neck, so you can tell it's been aged, and that to me is a pretty killer look.

If i were to get a new fretless, It would be a lineless fretless easily. I think fret lines like what you'll see on a Fender MIM Fretless, or the Squier fretless, or the other lined fretless basses detract from the natural beauty of a fretless instrument
 
#44
Do whatever you like.

The lines on a fretless neck are merely an approximation. You can put your finger right on the line, but if you're a hair out of tune, you're a hair out of tune. "But I'm right on the line!" And you're out of tune.

For that reason, my personal preference is unlined. The lines are pretty much useless for anything but an approximation, and you don't need a whole line painted across that otherwise beautiful fingerboard for that. It's like putting training wheels on a wheelchair, in my opinion.

I also have defretted necks, but I did my best to make them appear unlined. It's not like the lines are actually in tune anyway, so what's the purpose?
 
#45
Ivs said:
I like the look of an unlined neck. My bass is lined, and I have to say that they've helped me a lot... now if I could afford another bass, I'd buy one with either side dots, or with dark and subtle fretlines :)
Click to expand...

I have both (lined 4 and unlined 6). I love the 6er but when push comes to shove and I get a little insecure, I immediately go back to my Carvin 5 fretted bass which is my favorite. It's not called a "precision" bass based upon a whim! Fortunately, in the lower regsiter strings, deviations in tunning will only be heard by you and other musicians.....the drunken public won't know the difference!:rollno::eek:
 

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