I have basses with as few as 20, and they get the job done. For one or 2 songs I need and prefer 22.
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How many frets do *you* need on your 4-string?
- Thread starter Ricky Rioli
- Start date
I’ve had a couple 24 fretters, and liked them - not because I play up there, but because it forces more cutaway on the lower side - less wood in the body; hence lower weight.
That aside, 15 is probably plenty.
That aside, 15 is probably plenty.
I play basic Gospel and Country/rock often and I can't remember the last time I ventured past the 15th fret on a Sunday morning or a gig. I'm not someone who stays just in first position but I'm not even sure of the last time I hit the 13th or 14th. I often make the old joke that there's not much money to be made past the 12th fret.
I think I started a thread some years back back considering whether a 17'ish fret neck would be a viable way for most players to play a long scale LP or true-Tele shaped instrument without neck dive.
I think I started a thread some years back back considering whether a 17'ish fret neck would be a viable way for most players to play a long scale LP or true-Tele shaped instrument without neck dive.
Bryan R. Tyler
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If only that were true! So many 24 fret basses have no additional thought given to the cutaway or the neck heel. Some like Spector make it so you basically have to go thumb position to play the 24th fret
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
i like to play standards out of real book or whatever, and on my 20 fret basses often run out of room. Wish I still had my 24 fret jazz for that.
If only that were true! So many 24 fret basses have no additional thought given to the cutaway or the neck heel. Some like Spector make it so you basically have to go thumb position to play the 24th fret
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Well.... I didn't buy those.
Not less than 24, and 26 is better. Not a huge variety of bass guitars in that category but fortunately, you only need to find one that fits the bill; the current bass offers plenty of upper register access as well.
Just before seeing this poll I was noodling with drony chords on my 24 frets 6er. I was a little short and wish I had 26. My current main bass is a 6er tuned ADGCFA#. That means a range from A0 to A#4. I wish I got that kind of beast sooner, so many possibilities and awesome sounds... If you're in the mood for ambient stuff, it's a dream machine! I wouldn't mind rocking the s*** out of a 15-fret 3-string bass though.
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As many as I can get. I play a variety of music. With my current band I can’t think of any lines that go above the 18th fret but With my previous band I used up to the 24th and when I’m messing around at home I use the entire neck.
What is this 26 fretted bass?
My 26-er is a Prestige Wylde
Pictured here How many frets do *you* need on your 4-string?
I owned a really wonderful bass that had a full two-octave, 24 fret fretboard. When I had it, I did find myself using the whole range of the instrument. Now I have a bass with 21 frets and another with 20. I wouldn’t mind having another extended range instrument, maybe a 24-26 fret, 5 or 6 string bass with a high C, but it’s not really a priority for me. I don’t find myself missing that little bit of extra range very much and I prefer the tone and feel of basses in the 20-21 fret range when slapping.
Honestly, I couldn't tell you how many frets are on my 4-string.... Too busy playin' those money notes
21 is nice because if the high E adding a nice symmetry, and the fact is that guitar-based music is often composed in E and A, with the high E being a chord tone. 24 is nice again because of the symmetry of a second octave per string. 21 and 24 are my favorite layouts. 21 keeps the traditional body cut but adds that common chord tone, and 24 dispenses with the traditional body shape and gets you the second octave.
Re: my post above....
My 5 string is a neck-through bass with 24 frets. It has amazing access to the upper register. I really had to work hard to get to know that part of the neck because of the limitated access of my Jazz Bass with bolt-on neck.
I practised the tips I mentioned above to get comfortable in the upper register. Helped enormously.
However, wrist angle when standing combined with jumbo frets make it hard to play well in that register past the 21st fret. I only play the 22-24th frets on the G string.
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I counted 19 on my (now fretless) Fender Mustang. The only problem was when the jazz band played "Liberty City." Other than that, since jazz is improvisational, there are always more than one wrong note that I can play.
Just extend the fingerboard and learn thumb position.
Just extend the fingerboard and learn thumb position.
I had an Arpeggione built for me with 15, and I really regret not asking for 16!
I love having 24 (or more!) but I see that my last three basses have only 20, 22 & 22.
So gonna have to make do with twenty or twenty-two...
I love having 24 (or more!) but I see that my last three basses have only 20, 22 & 22.
So gonna have to make do with twenty or twenty-two...
Tickled to see 15 is an option on your poll! My honest answer is 14 would do it most of the time.
As the bass guy in an 80s band I assure you there is plenty of money up around 12-15!
