How many frets do you really need?

[Pings Bass]

I can't remember ever "needing" much more than a few positions above the octane. Funny cuz the main electric I play these days is a six-string with a two and a half octave neck. Kind of ludicrous for me but I like the way it plays.

 

[Trouztrouz]

This is a nonsense poll. The 20-fret criterion is "that's all I need," but the 24-fret criterion is, "I actually use all 24 frets regularly." You are so full of nonsense it is coming out of your ears. The correct answer is 21 frets and that's not even an option. You can take this nonsense straight to Narnia.

 

[Kevin Hailey]

My 6 string has 27 frets. I don’t really need that high Eb but I like that it’s there.
I don’t miss any extended range when playing a Fender though.
Different tools for different jobs.

 

[5StringBlues]

Narnia business.

 

[Low Main]

Like fuzzbass said, I think the 21st fret is worth having to fill out the third full E to E octave.

 

[Will_White]

I could make do with 15-16 frets, but I prefer to have a 21 or 22 fret neck for the third octave I've used it once or twice without getting in the way of my neck pickup.

 

[MrAB4003]

None. I don't need no stinkin' frets.

This... if I'm playing fretless. Then I'm not fretting.

However, if I am playing fretted bass, I need 20 minimum. 24 would be nice, but none of my fretted basses have 24 frets.

 

[logdrum]

I have a whale of a single-cut ( another DIY - maker unknown ) and I tuned it E-C -- So yeah might as well go up to 24 but the maker probably have massive hands , I had to shave the bolted neck heel and I can only reach the bottom string as in the E probably at the 20th fret but yeah I reach the bottom C all the way. I only really use this as a chordal instrument and use to accompany a singer but she moved out of state so now it's only a violin player but we practice far in between, so I still used it when I am learning tunes even sax tunes sometimes -- In piano terms E1 to C5 is a good range. I also have a 6 string and same story but it's a bear from the B string to the C string past the17 . Practically from 15th to the 24th, I am just using the top 3 strings and mute the bottom with a scrungy hair band on the neck. My thoughts are might as well.


Yeah - yeah fretless no frets but let's talk about position here. No need to brag. Many of us play fretless too but I think real and imaginary is what the OP meant. Even though I have a fretless beyond 24, my thoughts are 20 is enough for fretless. Basically the highest note in Jaco's Continuum tune

Now for support role maybe 14th fret is all I need for the occasional accent for most key of E and key of A songs Give me another fret at 15th for songs in F and Bb for most jazz keys.

I quite like the 21 that Music Kraft and Warmoth give. But traditioned 20 fret is fine. I can bend the G to get an E

 

[djmay]

None

 

[Watchootognbout]

How many do I need?
As many as I have.

 

[rogerb]

I say 20 but the guitar player in one of my latest band puts on this big frown or sad face if I go above the 5th fret. I probably don't go above the 10th fret "Why are you playing up there! don't!" The last time I explained to him that the low C on the A string and the low C on the E string are actually the same note, sometimes you need to use the "other" one for various reasons. Maybe sort of convinced him, time will tell.

Anothet band i'm walking up to 20 and they don't even notice or care, I'm not sure yet which is better.

 

[RomanS]

I went with 15 - since I use that when playing the intro to Dylan's "One More Cup Of Coffee"; other than that, I could probably make do with 12; I do like to play eg. songs in G starting on the 10th fret on the A string, because it sounds a lot fatter than on the D string/5th fret.
I probably also could make do with a 3-string bass (EAD), there's like 4 or 5 songs in my repertoire with 3 different bands where I use the G string...

 

[J Wilson]

I prefer a 24-fret neck through: Cut away leaving lots of octave and better frets easy to reach, and no neck block for the screws to block my fretting hand. Think of playing 'up the neck' on a Ric or TBird, how easy it is to get there.

No, I'm not playing anything at the 23rd or 24th fret regularly, but nonetheless now that I can easily play around the 12th fret or more, I'll take it.

It's sort of a silly question: I never see keyboard players arguing 88 keys is too many.

 

[crazycloud]

24

Depends on how many strings you have

Mainly 6.

 

[el murdoque]

I prefer 24.
Not because I play a lot in frets 21-24, but because the symmetry of the fretboard gives me a better orientation when playing above the 12th fret.

 

[loukash]

I had to add a small "21st extension" on my fretless Fender J. I play in D standard, so I need both the low D1 as well as the high D4.
You can see it on this photo: Pics of you playing your bass - Part 3
It's just a random piece of wood fixed on the pickguard with a double-sided adhesive tape. It doesn't sound great but it serves the purpose for now. I should find a harder piece of wood though.

On the upright bass, I'm still a noob and haven't mastered the thumb position yet, but I've been already using the highest notes around D5 for "deliberately annoying insectoid sound effects"…

 

[Dabndug]

I play up to the 19th fret for my version of the bass solo in "Smooth Operator". Don't often play above the 17th otherwise. The first verse of "Penny Lane" starts at the 17th.

BTW - it's  way easier to play in the higher register on a Rickenbacker 4000 series bass than a P or J.

 

[LowActionHero]

I voted 24 because that would be my preference. I RARELY go above 22 or 20, but once in awhile I wish I could.

 

[Brandon Shea]

19 is good enough 99% of the time, but 20 is better. I want that extra fret for the unison line in Sir Duke!

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

None.

Now, where's my carrot?