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Is a fretless necessary? Poll

Is a Fretless Necessary?

  • I own a fretless. Wouldn't be without one.

    Votes: 219 66.6%

  • No need for a fretless.

    Votes: 110 33.4%
  • Total voters
    329
#41
Johnny Crab said:
Hmmm....
This guy was in a successful rock band and used fretless:
fburell.jpg


Here's a 5 string fretless in the show:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. I dig BC and that is inspiration. Happy Holidays:)
 
#42
I highly recommend the MIM fretless. I modded mine, but it was fine stock, and I've been playing Fenders of all nationalities for 35+ years. Funny, I was worried about the sound, the "attack" etc., but no one in the ten-piece band (The BoogieMen) has even noticed I'm playing a fretless. After awhile, going back to my standbys, the frets feel like speed bumps. I do mostly classic rock, blues, and Motown, so your needs might be different. The lines make it easy, just practice with a tuning device a few times and learn to trust your ear. You'll be a better fretted player as a result. It's not that hard and fun. Practical? Necessary? No. Neither are stemless wine glasses or strapless bras but they're still cool. I started fretless at 54 so what do I know?

FRETLESSJBASS.gif
 
#43
At one time I used a fretless as my main bass. That was when I was playing full time and practicing or playing 4 to 6 hours daily. I no longer play full time and while I still play at least one hour or more per day average, I would not think of playing a fretless. Why? Because a fretless requires precision to a degree that most if not all part time players do not possess. Better to play a fretted bass in tune than to play a fretless out of tune. The fretless is a completely different instrument from the fretted bass. So to answer your question, you should have a fretless if you have the time and motivation to learn to play the instrument correctly. But you do not need one. :hmm:
 
#47
A fretless may not be necessary for everyone, but I feel that one is for me.

If I were forced to sell everything and only have 1 bass, it would be my Zon Sonus Custom fiver.

I can make it sound like a fretted (except for slapping) but I cannot make a fretted sound like a fretless. And I like the fretless sound more, overall.
 
#49
Whether you need a fretless or not depends on the sound you want and what you're playing, although I have two words for the folks saying that fretless isn't any good for rock: Les Claypool. If nothing else, it's an awesome tonal option that you can't get with a fretted bass.

Personally, I love the fretless sound, and my next bass will be a fretless.
 
#50
JAUQO III-X said:
Since the fingering is different for Electric and DB how did playing the fretless help you with your DB intonation ?
Click to expand...

I had to be aware of it all of the time. No respite from concentrating and paying attention.

Everytime I was playing bass of any kind, I had to be aware of the intonation.

Besides, in the first 3 positions you can pretty much use both systems. Especially on longer scale electric basses.

I bounce between the two...

Merry Xmas Jauqo...:hiding:
 
#52
mobax said:
At one time I used a fretless as my main bass. That was when I was playing full time and practicing or playing 4 to 6 hours daily. I no longer play full time and while I still play at least one hour or more per day average, I would not think of playing a fretless. Why? Because a fretless requires precision to a degree that most if not all part time players do not possess. Better to play a fretted bass in tune than to play a fretless out of tune. The fretless is a completely different instrument from the fretted bass. So to answer your question, you should have a fretless if you have the time and motivation to learn to play the instrument correctly. But you do not need one. :hmm:
Click to expand...

eloquently put! I couldn't have said it better..

I used to rent whatever I needed from a shop. I've only had 2 sessions in my life requiring fretless. 2 in 30 years is hardly worth spending 3000+ dollars on an indulgence on my part (Although, getting an endorsement made it easier).

If you love the sound, and can afford to, get one. But most people hate fretless "overdone." Tasteless wanking on a fretted is bad, out of tune, "wankery,:D " on a fretless is worthy of jail time.
 
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#55
Depends what kind of sound you are going for. For jazz, they are indispensible, for rock, less so, for slap, not real useful. I've got one, and play it maybe 10% of the time. I'm glad I have it, but for the stuff I do, could live without it.
 
#58
I played fretted forever, always curious about fretless, but never secure enough in my musicianship to try it out. Finally, last year after watching the Cream reunion DVD, I walked right down to my local music store and ordered a Spector fretless, sight unseen.

I found out that fretless isn't that hard, and that my ear is much better than I thought. I was actually playing out of tune more on the fretted, perhaps because I'm more aware when playing fretless?

A funny thing happened as I played fretless. I found my sound, my voice. The way I have been trying to make my fretted basses sound for over 15 years came out instantly on fretless! I found my technique translated very well to fretless. I am playing fretless almost exclusively now, and have yet to be fired from a band, nor have I not been called for other gigs.

To sum up my point, no you don't need a fretless, but if you have the means, try it out. It could be a nice addition to your playing, it could be your true voice, or it could be stuck in the closet or up for sale on TB in a matter of weeks!
 
#60
Well, I played bass for 15 years - regularly gigging during that time period - playing mostly rock and metal, with a bit of blues here and there - and didn't think I "needed" one... I got my 1st fretless this past year, and after having one for awhile, don't see myself being without one again... Not only are there things I can do, and sounds I can get on a fretless that I can't duplicate with a fretted, regular practice on a fretless makes fretted playing seem MUCH easier... I started with an inexpensive fretless SX P bass - and after that, got a MIJ Fender Jazz Special fretless that's definetly a keeper...

In your situation, I'd recommend getting an SX fretless - a P or J copy, though - as I hear their other fretless basses aren't quite as good - to see if you take to it... I'll bet you do...




- georgestrings
 

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