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How many frets do you need?

ZiggyDude

ZiggyDude

Jun 8, 2005
531
58
#1
I was fooling about with the custom Moser that I had made and recently got delivered. I started thinking that it would have been nice to move the neck pickup higher up the body. But - that would require not getting 24 frets. Maybe cutting it back to 21 - 22 at the max. Another idea would have been angling the end of the fret board so I had 22 at the G string and maybe 20 at B. Since it is a P style pickup that would allow me moving it some.

I mean - how often does anyone ever use those frets? Most that want those notes use a 6 string bass so they can go laterally.

The advantage in playability and tone would be there as I can keep the bridge pickup farther away from the toneless bridge area and still have space between the pups to get the fingers in.

Curious on thoughts? Also - mention what type of music you do. Like I am 80% fingers and 20% pick - no slap. Doing Classic Rock, 80s, and new stuff.
 
#2
You're not likely to need anything past the 20th fret unless you are writing your own material, as very few parts from past songs require playing that high, and few modern songwriters will require playing up there. If you do write your own stuff though, it could be vital. I play 6-strings and rarely go up that high, but there are a couple parts I've made that require the 24th fret. And I'd rather have it there in case I need it than not have the option. You can have 24 frets and still have the neck pickup quite high up- are you going for the mudbucker position or something?
 
#8
I'm actually currently build a 5 string tuned E-C and I'm going to be putting 28 frets in it. That way, I have a full E-E range.

The reason that I need that, though, is that I arrange a lot of classical guitar and piano music for solo bass (or I was until I got rid of my Lakland) and I found that (I more often than not) I needed the additional range that I couldn't hit without at least 24 frets.

Plus, I really like the idea of being able to chord in whichever way I choose that high up.

I slap a lot, but I usually slap over the fretboard more often than not, so it doesn't really make a lot of difference for me.
 
#10
kinda depends but most of the time after about the 16th fret not much happens. Another thing to consider is how well you play up there in the miniature world. Big fingers that easily do the F-A reach on a 35" bass are a bit of a liability in the area where the frets are spaced closer than a mandolin. Maybe a partial ramp between the board and the pup would allow you to hit some more notes and w/o frets it can be a lot easier.
 
#11
spade2you said:
Ah, one of these threads. Yeah, "no money above the 5th fret". Fieldy only needs 2 strings and 3 frets, so he obviously wins.
Click to expand...

Yeah! FiEldY wins EVERY TIME!

Actually, no. While I am a rather boring and non-flashy bassist, I am sitting here listening to some Jeff Berlin. I like it, but I'm not dedicated enough to learn to actually DO it.

Hat's off to those who do, though!
 
#14
I had a two octave neck (24) on a fretless which was real neat because it made so much sense: 'Here's and octave, and another one half it's size'. I'm very visually oriented and it just worked.

Fretted, I'll go right up to 21. I play a lot of RHCP, so you've got to. That's on a Ray, when I borrow a Sterling, I get confused.

Back in my days of metal and punk, I think 7 would be fine.
 
#16
I prefer 24 frets. My Modulus VJ is my only bass right now with less (although my Hamer fretless has 22, and my really old bass I don't play anymore has 21 or 22). 24 frets is good for us guys who take solos, or like to two-handed tap every now and then. I always run out of notes for melodies when I have less. That being said, I don't use the higher frets that much.
 
#19
I don't generally go past 15th. 17th is pushing it. But I have played a lot of songs higher than that in the past. Even one which required a 26th fret on my G. I only have 24 damn it! Definitely a 6 string would be useful for me. Good job I'll be getting myself one at some point.
 
#20
I've used the higher frets more in the last month than I have in my previous eight years of playing. However, that's only because the things my new instructor has had me doing I've had to do up and down the entire fretboard. So, at least from a learning perspective, I'm using all the frets a lot these days.

Personally, I rarely go above the 12th fret when playing so the number of frets on my basses has never been something that concerned me. Certainly not putting down those who use the high notes, I'm just stating what I need for what I play.
 

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