Unlined for me; lined only when that is the only option offered. I don't really need the lines, and IMO they make the 'board too busy.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I made up my mind: I prefer lined fretless.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Lines left over from pullin' the frets 
Me 2 .Got my harley benton jb-40fl yesterday (Lined pau ferro board).
It just makes the transition from fretted so much easier. I love the look of my unlined maple board , but as I play mostly fretted I am saving a couple of hours of getting used to fretless. Maybe if I spent more time practicing instead of roaming TB . . .
It just makes the transition from fretted so much easier. I love the look of my unlined maple board , but as I play mostly fretted I am saving a couple of hours of getting used to fretless. Maybe if I spent more time practicing instead of roaming TB . . .
I bought this in 1998, with a lined ebony board. A few years ago I had HG Thor do his magic on it.
Well, that's Clement #346. She's got a hard rock maple neck. The body is a single piece of swamp ash. The top is a figured myrtle. With Tom you can pick out individual boards for each piece. I chose the top first of all, and built everything visually around that. The tough part was the proper color board. This board is a wood called Ipe, which I wanted for its density, etc. Tom worked with me on picking the piece from among those he had that went with the top in the best looking way.
Here's the backside.
Peace.(thanks for a good day, fellow TB'ers....
) I play her with flats and a fret wrap. She speaks very well in that low-fi kind of way, which is just what I was looking for.
Excuse me, but I must go and change my shorts now....
LOL! Man, this thread is making my day.
".....so yeah, anyway, lines or no lines is all good....everyone's MMV....."
OP: sorry, sir, for this horrid diversion....
peace
For someone with your caliber of playing skill you are quite admirable with coming to this conclusion/decision.
I suck at fretless. I am only able to play one of my unlined fretless basses somewhat well, because I first learn certain songs on the same version of that bass that has frets, so it's a muscle memory thing. However, I just thought that the unlined fretboard just looked so cool and elegant and classy. More so than a lined fretless, though I had absolutely no right to be snobby about it considering my lack of skill.
Then one day I bought a lined fretless and thought to myself, Geeze I am such an 'A' hole to think like this! I'm simply short changing myself from trying out other basses that I might otherwise like. Good for you @Dr. Cheese ! Bravo! I say Bravo to you!
My unlined and same model fretted that I referred to above
View attachment 3946192
My unlined
View attachment 3946198
View attachment 3946196
5 string unlined
View attachment 3946191
fretless lined...the one that changed my mind and unexplained pretentious snobbery
View attachment 3946194
Yes, I like Dean basses
Ultimately, sounding good beats looking good.
Well done - beautiful wood selection!LOL! Man, this thread is making my day.
".....so yeah, anyway, lines or no lines is all good....everyone's MMV....."
OP: sorry, sir, for this horrid diversion....
peace
After going on 40 years of playing unlined boards I still have yet to see/hear any concrete proof of this. Playing in tune is a matter for the ears, not the eyes, IMEE
Beat me to it!
Yep, I have lines on my fretless and still play out of tune.
Matter of fact, I have frets on my fretted basses and still play out of tune
I like the ghost lines left on the board of my converted fretless Yamaha monstrosity. Kinda semi-lined.
“Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ.”
Excuse me, but I must go and change my shorts now....
Might as well finish the job....here u go
I agree; the ear is the final arbiter.
But (assuming that the instrument is set up correctly) markers can be of additional assistance, particularly for shifting etc. Personally, I'd rather do without the lines and suffer the occasional bum note.
