How important it is to have 24 frets?

[ShaunNecro]

I have a five string tuned Drop A#, and I use every single fret on that bass. I solo high up on the neck, and even bend a little bit on that last G#. I also do chord work on the three middle strings while tapping on the top two strings, so I couldn't get away with any less, which is why I picked up a fretless six string as well.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Ultra carrots ?

 

[superheavyfunk]

I'd like to have a bass with 26 frets but mainly just so I can wank when I'm doing solo stuff, or annoy guitarists when I decide to cop a solo in their frequency range. My main bass is 24 frets and my backup has 20 (I think). Its never made a real difddiffer though... When playing with a band, there's rarely a reason to go beyond the 9th or 10th fret.

 

[Wisebass]

Jaco only needed 20.

I guess he only needed zero.

Jaco is dead

Too bad that' s not a poll

I vote carrots!

Wise(b)ass

 

[Jack Butler]

It's handy for soloing , for instance I was messing about with "Scarborough Fair" , and it's not acceptable to drop an octave when going for a high E.
But, a harmonic can often be found.
Soloing, yes it's a real concern.
The highest note I've seen a traditional bassline call for is the C above 12th fret G in "Lean on Me", well within Fender bass range.

“The Real me” uses 20th fret G.

 

[madbass6]

I ask for my Fender P-Bass is a 24 fret bass and we have at least one song where I use all 24 frets.

Which has got me thinking:

1. How many if much songs require you to have 24 frets?
2. Should I just go with the 5 string?
3. if I do #2 wouldn't having a 4 string and a 5 string make things complicated.

I am more stuck on the importance on having 24 frets.

I can't be the only one on TB wondering what song you play that requires you to use all 24 frets! the suspence is killing me ! Wish song ?

 

[slareman]

Someone mentioned it before, but I'd say it again: it really depends on the gig.

There are some situations in which it is musically inappropriate to jump octaves. This is especially true on the low end, as sometimes the overall sound is too thin with a downtuned guitar, for example, when jumping an octave in standard tuning. But it can also hold on the high end, such as when playing a unison line with a guitar. Like a lot of things, I would define how necessary it is based on what the music requires. Sometimes octave jumping works fine in the context of the song and the group playing it, but not always.

 

[FergusMc]

I have one song where I use my 24th fret. Bassline starts on the twelfth fret on the d string and fits melodically behind weird jazzy guitar chords. Second time I play that section I bring it the whole way up. However, I’d go down to 20 in a second if it would get rid of my neckdive.

 

[JB36]

Need not, but prefer to have 24. I really only use 2 full octaves for practicing scales and arpeggios, but never in a band context. I do prefer the symmetry of a 24 has it gives me more room to play above the 12th fret. The cut aways are usually deeper and gives me the perception the scale is longer which good for my long arms. 20 fret basses feel cramped in comparison.

 

[GMC]

If I'm playing a sixer, it's less important as I tend to play across the strings and not up and down them so much. With a 4 string, if you want those higher notes...then the 24 fret board comes in handy, but not essential.
Having a 24 fret board does take away some body space / pickup space. Which is make worse if you like body end truss rod adjustment. Which I prefer as it allows more wood and strength at the neck to head stock join.

 

[rockscott]

I have both, my preference is a 20 fret neck. The notes on the upper end of a 20 fret neck seem more pure with less noise to me?

 

[Richard Martin]

The highest note I've seen a traditional bassline call for is the C above 12th fret G in "Lean on Me", well within Fender bass range.

Andy Fraiser hits the 19th fret on the G sting when playing All Right Now.

 

[mongo2]

I play only 4 strings and only use about 16 frets and that's just in the last couple of years. I've never needed 24 frets. But that doesn't mean others don't make good use of them.

 

[descendent22]

For me it's not important at all. I'm a less is more kinda of musician. I've owned a few 24 fret basses throughout the years and I never used those extra frets really. I play Fender P basses that have 20 and Esp vintage 4's I also use which have 21. The 21st fret is pointless. I've met bassist who play 6 string basses so they don't have to move all over the neck. They have all their notes in one area basically. It really depends on your philosophy and what you as a player prefers.

 

[fretno]

I have one or 2 around here but I almost never play that high well on the fretboard I mean

 

[Space Pickle]

i require all the frets

 

[Saint]

I like a 24 fret neck, as I have on my Alembic. I don't have to use all 24 for it to be of benefit: the 22nd and 23rd frets on all the strings are useful. That said, that's the only bass I currently own that's 24 frets. And, at the end of the dat, it really is about being able to access the upper frets comfortably, quickly, and accurately. In part, the 24 frets on the Alembic work because the lower cutaway and neck-thru design allow that access. Basses with large neck joints or shallow cutaways make it difficult to get to frets 20-24 regardless.

 

[JonTishBASS]

I say that 24 frets is very important because if you are playing a solo, you are going to want some extra range.

 

[JonTishBASS]

I like a 24 fret neck, as I have on my Alembic. I don't have to use all 24 for it to be of benefit: the 22nd and 23rd frets on all the strings are useful. That said, that's the only bass I currently own that's 24 frets. And, at the end of the dat, it really is about being able to access the upper frets comfortably, quickly, and accurately. In part, the 24 frets on the Alembic work because the lower cutaway and neck-thru design allow that access. Basses with large neck joints or shallow cutaways make it difficult to get to frets 20-24 regardless.

What type of Alembic do you have?

 

[armyadarkness]

I ask for my Fender P-Bass is a 24 fret bass and we have at least one song where I use all 24 frets.

Which has got me thinking:

1. How many if much songs require you to have 24 frets?
2. Should I just go with the 5 string?
3. if I do #2 wouldn't having a 4 string and a 5 string make things complicated.

I am more stuck on the importance on having 24 frets.

Lol... Too funny. For my first 20 years of playing, I had a hang up about this. I wouldn't buy a bass unless it was a double octave 24 fret... Strictly because longer basses were cool looking. Now I care more about how the bass sounds and have had only one in the past decade.

I'm surprised you found a Fender with 24 frets... 22 is a stretch for them if I'm not mistaken.