frets, 20, 22 or 24?

[YCBass]

I would prefer 24 but that doesn't work well on a full size Jazz body or at least I haven't seen anyone keep the true J shape full size and do 24 frets - having frets you can't reach is useless.

 

[NortyFiner]

I'm fine with 20 frets, since I do most of my playing on the deep end of the neck, and I don't do much in the way of fancy solo stuff. But hey, the more frets the merrier...

 

[Mystic Michael]

No tonal differences of which I'm aware - based on number of frets alone. But I will say that I've become spoiled since I began playing Carvin LB70s - which are 24-fret instruments. Especially so since I've been known to pull off such "fancy maneuvers" as playing harmonics on the 24th fret, etc.

My take on it is this: If you're strictly a groove player and seldom ever play above the 12th fret, so the instrument has more frets than you normally use, well nobody's forcing you to use 'em. What's the downside?

On the other hand, some players actually play well above the 12th fret, even up to the 24th fret - and beyond (i.e. Michael Manring). So at least for them, having the additional frets is not a luxury - it's a necessity.

Far better to have something and not need it, than to need something - and not have it...

MM

 

[Joe Gress]

I really like 22.

 

[User364378]

i like 20, it makes you more creative in finding ways to achieve for example a very high E, you bend the string instead of just playing it on the 21st fret, you know what i mean?? but if i have to do crazy stuff i sometimes wish i had 24 ;p

 

[Viviuos]

frets? baah. who needs frets.

 

[Nashrakh]

20 is fine. I'd even be happy with 12, I rarely play above that.

 

[Rushlover13]

I don't mind eitehr of them, so im good with whatever. I do like the 2 octaves of a 24 fretter though.

 

[Bubumaster]

24 is a fine number of frets. Allow U to find fast the higher notes. Kind of simetric stuff to me.-

C U

 

[HogieWan]

I never get above 17 or so anyway. Less frets (i.e. 20) gives you more room for slapping

 

[Rocky McD]

In 45 years I have never played above the 12th fret. Like someone stated, there is no difference in tone. The strings and pickups don't know how many frets you have. Fender still makes 22 and 24 fret models.

 

[Joe Gress]

I never get above 17 or so anyway. Less frets (i.e. 20) gives you more room for slapping

I like my slap tone from my 22 fret bass more than the 20 fret one.

 

[octaverazor]

i really like 24. i like to play chords up high with open notes mixed in. and it really helps with tapping

 

[Jools4001]

Welll I would like 21 frets on a 4 string. I love my Ric but I am one of those players that doesn't have a dusty end of the fretboard and it drives me nuts that it's just one semitone short of 4 octaves.

Strangely enough though I don't own a 21 fret bass, they've either got 20 or 24 and one has no frets at all

 

[Iritan]

I prefer 24. Not because I need them, or for any tonal reasons. I just feel limited with less. I guess that comes from always playing 24 fret basses, now I can't turn back.

 

[kraigo]

21 for me

+1

21 gives you a high E, even though I've never actually needed it for a gig.

KO

 

[Lady Kayri]

I've got two 21s (P and Jazz) and one with 24 (Ibby). Even though I seldom play above the 12th fret, given my druthers I'd rather have 24 frets, to give me a little more leeway for those few times I do play high up on the neck, but for the most part it doesn't matter, and I haven't noticed any difference in tone, etc. between the 21s and the 24...

 

[walterw]

The only way in which the number of frets affects tone in any detectable way is if it affects pickup placement.

not necessarily.

a neck with more frets but the same scale length is therefore a longer neck, and thus more flexible end-to-end than an otherwise identical shorter neck. this can theoretically mean less stiffness, and thus less sustain and evenness.

besides, everyone knows there's no money past the 5th fret!

 

[Ric5]

21 is the most I would ever want ... About the highest I play is 19.

 

[BritPicker]

20.

Can't really see the point in having more, as it's BASS that I'm playing.

I guess that I don't much go above the 17th, for an effect.

Players that are always playing high should just go and buy a guitar really.

It's just trying to show off and it's horrible.

Not as bad as slap bass, but close.