I find the extra 21st fret on the stingray is perfect. Going from open e 3 octaves up saves having to bend up the 20th fret on Fenders. I always thought it was odd leaving out the 21st fret because it just makes sense.
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I find the extra 21st fret on the stingray is perfect. Going from open e 3 octaves up saves having to bend up the 20th fret on Fenders. I always thought it was odd leaving out the 21st fret because it just makes sense.
What is my purpose?
I selected bass guitar because of its function within the spectrum of sounds. Let's use the standard symphony for an analogy. There are four brass instruments beginning low to high: tuba, trombone, horn, trumpet. There are four strings going low to high: bass, cello, viola, violin. There are four winds: bassoon, clarinet, oboe, flute. Certainly their ranges overlap. And, their use isn't simply range since each has its own sound in particular comparing winds to strings to brass.
I don't think I will every ask myself if I will need 24 frets because my goal is not to get involved with those notes. I may someday ask myself if I need a 5 string so that I can get below E1, e.g. to play Mr. Mister Broken Wings without having to tune down to D.
I have already asked myself if I need a tweeter in my cabinet. One answer was "leave those frequencies for the guitars." If you play high on the neck you will need to make sure your sound system can keep up.
I selected bass guitar because of its function within the spectrum of sounds. Let's use the standard symphony for an analogy. There are four brass instruments beginning low to high: tuba, trombone, horn, trumpet. There are four strings going low to high: bass, cello, viola, violin. There are four winds: bassoon, clarinet, oboe, flute. Certainly their ranges overlap. And, their use isn't simply range since each has its own sound in particular comparing winds to strings to brass.
I don't think I will every ask myself if I will need 24 frets because my goal is not to get involved with those notes. I may someday ask myself if I need a 5 string so that I can get below E1, e.g. to play Mr. Mister Broken Wings without having to tune down to D.
I have already asked myself if I need a tweeter in my cabinet. One answer was "leave those frequencies for the guitars." If you play high on the neck you will need to make sure your sound system can keep up.
For me, it’s not even important that I have four strings!
I gig constantly... typically 4-5 per week. Rarely do I need the G string, let alone 24 frets.
I gig constantly... typically 4-5 per week. Rarely do I need the G string, let alone 24 frets.
I used to think that, but then I realized: 20 frets is the exact number necessary to give you 2 full octaves in every key.
If you have only 19 frets, you can't play a 2 octave Eb Major scale.
And if you have 21 (or more) frets, you can play 3 octaves in some keys, but only 2 octaves in other keys.
But if you have exactly 20 frets, then you can play 2 octaves in each of the 12 keys.
A lot of people think 20 frets was a random decision by Leo Fender. But there is actually a very logical musical reason.
I feel you can play two octaves in any key even with 9 frets. To share my feeling you would have to agree that sometimes notes are played below the root note. I think the definition of the key has more to do with the selection of the notes than it does with where you start singing "Do Ra Me..."
You can cover every note on the bass clef plus a few above and a few below. Setting the key by marking the sharps and flats doesn't change the useable range of notes that can be written.
Maybe Leo chose 20 frets because his kid's birthday was August 20th. Just a theory...
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I rarely play above the 12th fret but I like the extra fret set up to make the 12th through say, the 20th not so close to the body. Closer to the center for more comfortable access when needed.
Great point, and I agree with you. I was thinking (but did not explicitly specify) "two-octave scale, from the root to the second octave." If you don't start on the root then you are absolutely correct; you can play more than 2 octaves on a 20-fret, 4-string bass, in any key.
When using an octaver, I play a lot above the 12th fret. It all depends on genre, sound or techniques you're looking for, soloing... If you feel you need 24 frets, why bother about what someone else thinks? I do like the 21st fret on my Elite P (because of the high E). No I can play a nice sounding C#7#9 chord.
JeezyMcNuggles
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I have a Riverhead bass which is 24 frets---don't think I've ever gone above the 14th.
Yeah i forgot about that, that can be an issue with guitar to. My Cirrus has 24 frets and 5 strings and I like the way it sounds but I'm not picky. I just like nice gear.
I'm not married to 24 frets on a 34" scale tuned to standard. However, if I am tuning to C or B, I want a 35" scale, which usually means 24 fret.
Fender will never do 24 frets or 35" scale on their general releases. That would be too 1.) Forward thinking; and 2.) cost them too much money since it isn't the same cookie cutter design they've been using for the last 60 years.
As with everything ... it depends ... mostly on what you hope to accomplish with your bass. My main bass has 6 strings and 24 frets. In my own playing, I use them all at some point. In your standard bar band playing rock covers, 4 strings and 20 frets will generally suffice (with an occasional D drop).
pickup placement should be an issue unless you're into mudbuckers are ricks. I don't need 24 frets myself, I just played my Cirrus and liked the sound.
Well, sure. But which 5 or 6?
Personally I favor the third, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. If I had a sixth fret, it would probably be the second.
When I read a large proportion of responses to this thread, I can see why there are also many threads about bass and bass players getting little, to no respect.
Being proud to use only a small potential of your instruments ability, and scope seems to feed that sort of low expectation attitude.
Being proud to use only a small potential of your instruments ability, and scope seems to feed that sort of low expectation attitude.
