Fretted, fretless or both?

[FromTheBassMent]

Huh. 87% of TBers (presumably a pretty good cross-section of bassists) play both fretted and fretless. And yet, no music stores actually carry fretless basses. I mean, I had to drive from Rhode Island to NEW JERSEY to find a couple of fretless basses hanging on a wall.

Seems like they're missing a huge opportunity.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Usually fretted for me, but sometimes fretless or upright. I used to play primarily upright, but mostly BG these days. I've had a few fretless basses over the years, and really like my current Hamer.

 

[MatticusMania]

I definitely favor my fretless, but do occasionally play fretted basses as well.

 

[Arvin]

I love playing fretless, but when I have to sing, too -- which is often -- I find it too much to juggle.

I save my fretless for songs where there's a lot of space for the coolness of a fretless to stand out and where I don't have to sing; I play fretted on everything else. It's just easier that way.

 

[funkout5]

I currently only own fretteds, but I want a fretless sooooo bad

 

[Orangeclawhammr]

Fretted only, for now. I'm open to fretless, though.

 

[basspraiser]

Assuming play is in quotes ("play"), both. My abilities on a fretless suffer from a lack of practice, I'll put it that way.

Yeh me too but I LOVE playing fretless...almost seems easier in some ways..feels "freer" ....LOVE the mwah factor but certain songs just "need" the fretted sound....

I used to think one fretless was enough....maybe not...

 

[line6man]

Huh. 87% of TBers (presumably a pretty good cross-section of bassists) play both fretted and fretless. And yet, no music stores actually carry fretless basses..

Yeah, I found that really interesting as well.

Every time I go to Sam Ash or Guitar Center, there only like 2 or 3 fretless basses in the store.

I'm pretty sure that a good chunk of people here only buy their basses from music stores.

 

[Disraeli Gears]

I only play fretted. I'd love to get a fretless, but I don't have the money at the moment--even for an SX .

 

[Boostedrex]

I play both. I do find myself picking up my fretless most of the time if I'm just noodling around at home or trying to come up with new lines. I LOVE the feel of it when I'm exploring new music.

But I don't see myself ever getting away from fretted basses either as they certainly have their place with me.

It is funny how music stores carry little to no fretless basses. I've only ever seen 2 of them in my local GC and I now own one of those 2.