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Glarry: a really cheap way to get into unlined fretless?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I say go for it. I bought an unlined fretless a couple months ago and it's worked out well for me. Chances are on a dark stage, you aren't going to be able to see fretlines anyways so it's best to learn to use your ear rather than your eyes.
And to those people saying you shouldn't learn on an unlined instrument, well it works fine for people learning upright or any other classical string instruments that don't have frets.
And to those people saying you shouldn't learn on an unlined instrument, well it works fine for people learning upright or any other classical string instruments that don't have frets.
I actually bought my unlined because I think they look better. For so much of my work on bass, I didn't get the credit for playing fretless because folks didn't notice it was fretless, because of the light fret lines on a dark board. It actually sorta was a let down at times to not have people notice, ya know? I'm proud of playing fretless well, of course.For me it started with aesthetics but on fretless I really want my ears to tell me where the note is vs my eyes.
For the record unlined looks better, obviously.
So I got this one unlined so people would realize what I'm doing and be impressed by it.
Hey man - it's all about getting the girls, right?
(ok ok, I'm married with 3 young teen daughters of my own... but I can still joke about it)
I like lined fretless basses very much and I am about good results any way they can be achieved. I respect those who prefer unlined, and I want to try it out myself.
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When people talk to me about getting into fretless I recommend them the Squier VM Fretless Bass first before going into the $900-$1k Ibanez territory (SRF Portamento Models). Despite the Squier VM's rarity in the used market, some pop up for a decently affordable price at $300 but they get snatched up real QUICK.
The same thing happened to me! I usually play a jazz and bought an unlined MIJ model. Brought it to rehearsal a couple of times and nobody even noticed... Until they did, then suddenly there was a big hubbub about using it.
me and lines:
i've discovered that the lined vs. unlined is really a thing on TB but not so in the real, non-binary, actual world. i went from sax to DB to EB in the mid 70s --- fretless EBs were unlined (where i lived!). so i've always played unlined --- why introduce lines to a cat who doesn't know from lines?
(and i don't play fretted instruments, so: lines are 'out of context' for this player.)
me/you and glarrys:
i've purchased several glarrys to use just the bodies (lightweight, nice looking paulownia) and to mount my own fretless necks/hardware/electronics/etc. they have worked brilliantly for making lightweight instruments (yay!). as for the playability:
- if you don't know what an instrument might need to be perfect for you = do not buy these!
- if you know, but can't do the work yourself = there will be an expense to have others do the work.
- if you need to compare out-of-the-box playability to a 2K instrument = these aren't your huckleberry...they'll need work!
- if you have the time/interest/skills to bring wood/metal parts to playable perfection = these are great deals!
- if "resale" is your favorite rationalization = no "price point" will deliver!
stay away...or get out of the way!
TL;DR, per the OP: i really like the glarrys for parts! i purchased the fretless because i was curious, but i already had an idea for a P-bass with a maple neck. a glarry-type ax affords the tinkerer/modder a great platform for cheap. if you can't set up your own instruments = don't do it! if you can, and if you like chunky necks, these glarry fretlesses might be all you ever need!
i'll post these again, for reference (my modded, perfect, 6.2 lbs, glarry P):
i've discovered that the lined vs. unlined is really a thing on TB but not so in the real, non-binary, actual world. i went from sax to DB to EB in the mid 70s --- fretless EBs were unlined (where i lived!). so i've always played unlined --- why introduce lines to a cat who doesn't know from lines?
(and i don't play fretted instruments, so: lines are 'out of context' for this player.)me/you and glarrys:
i've purchased several glarrys to use just the bodies (lightweight, nice looking paulownia) and to mount my own fretless necks/hardware/electronics/etc. they have worked brilliantly for making lightweight instruments (yay!). as for the playability:
- if you don't know what an instrument might need to be perfect for you = do not buy these!
- if you know, but can't do the work yourself = there will be an expense to have others do the work.
- if you need to compare out-of-the-box playability to a 2K instrument = these aren't your huckleberry...they'll need work!
- if you have the time/interest/skills to bring wood/metal parts to playable perfection = these are great deals!
- if "resale" is your favorite rationalization = no "price point" will deliver!
stay away...or get out of the way! TL;DR, per the OP: i really like the glarrys for parts! i purchased the fretless because i was curious, but i already had an idea for a P-bass with a maple neck. a glarry-type ax affords the tinkerer/modder a great platform for cheap. if you can't set up your own instruments = don't do it! if you can, and if you like chunky necks, these glarry fretlesses might be all you ever need!
i'll post these again, for reference (my modded, perfect, 6.2 lbs, glarry P):
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
It's cheaper than buying a fretless neck, and if it works out, it's a complete score. Even if the dots are in the wrong place, you can black them out and use a dot of white-out to make new dots. If that's even an issue after a bit.
Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just play the Pedulla more?
DB players don't look as much as you think since we're usually looking at music.
Just a side glance when shifting, but otherwise no. Same for me on my fretless unlined EB. When playing up high, I'll glance at the side dots (which, on my Cort Artisan B4 FL, are in the correct place).The Glarry or a similarly inexpensive bass is definitely worth seeing if unlined works for you. (For those suggesting the Squier VM fretless Jazz, those are lined.) Based on your videos of you playing your Pedulla, your ear is good enough that you shouldn't have an issue.
Reading comprehension is a good thing. I want to try out an unlined fretless. This is my Pedulla:
I am not expecting a great bass and I can do set ups.me and lines:
i've discovered that the lined vs. unlined is really a thing on TB but not so in the real, non-binary, actual world. i went from sax to DB to EB in the mid 70s --- fretless EBs were unlined (where i lived!). so i've always played unlined --- why introduce lines to a cat who doesn't know from lines?
me/you and glarrys:
i've purchased several glarrys to use just the bodies (lightweight, nice looking paulownia) and to mount my own fretless necks/hardware/electronics/etc. they have worked brilliantly for making lightweight instruments (yay!). as for the playability:
- if you don't know what an instrument might need to be perfect for you = do not buy these!
- if you know, but can't do the work yourself = there will be an expense to have others do the work.
- if you need to compare out-of-the-box playability to a 2K instrument = these aren't your huckleberry...they'll need work!
- if you have the time/interest/skills to bring wood/metal parts to playable perfection = these are great deals!
- if "resale" is your favorite rationalization = no "price point" will deliver!
TL;DR, per the OP: i really like the glarrys for parts! i purchased the fretless because i was curious, but i already had an idea for a P-bass with a maple neck. a glarry-type ax affords the tinkerer/modder a great platform for cheap. if you can't set up your own instruments = don't do it! if you can, and if you like chunky necks, these glarry fretlesses might be all you ever need!
i'll post these again, for reference (my modded, perfect, 6.2 lbs, glarry P):
View attachment 3864130 View attachment 3864131
doc, i think you'll have fun: after enough time (10 seconds/minutes/hours/days) = i think you'll find that there's no difference! in any case: i look forward to hearing about your experience whatever/whenever that is!
doc, i think you'll have fun: after enough time (10 seconds/minutes/hours/days) = i think you'll find that there's no difference! in any case: i look forward to hearing about your experience whatever/whenever that is!
Thanks!
Sometimes you can find these new on eBay for cheaper. Usually sold under the name Burning Fire or Exquisite.
They are the same bass but with no name on the headstock. I got a Burning Fire P for $34.95 & a Glarry J for $59.95.They are both servicable.
They are the same bass but with no name on the headstock. I got a Burning Fire P for $34.95 & a Glarry J for $59.95.They are both servicable.
Glarrys are very fun instruments!
My only word of advise: I have no clue what the fingerboard wood they use. On a fretless, I would only use flats, or rounds under VERY CLOSE supervision.
Actually, my suggestion was going to be to get a fretless ABG, like the Aria FEB-FL... I have one and I love it! Problem is, they seem to be pretty rare these days...
My only word of advise: I have no clue what the fingerboard wood they use. On a fretless, I would only use flats, or rounds under VERY CLOSE supervision.
Actually, my suggestion was going to be to get a fretless ABG, like the Aria FEB-FL... I have one and I love it! Problem is, they seem to be pretty rare these days...
