• 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.

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
#65
Thanks so much for all the heart-felt replies. I'm looking at my basses deciding which one gets the axe inorder to get a fretless. Happy Holidays to all. Hope Santa (my Dad says he shreds on bass) is good to you all. Enjoy time with your families and those that you love.:)
 
#66
I used to have a fretless, but then I bought a Trace Elliot rig with a 4x10 cab, and so I sold my Ashdown combo and my fretless to make room for it. However, it was when I sold the fretless that I discovered how much I actually needed it! I finally got around to getting myself another fretless and I think thats about all the basses I need for now! I certainly like having my fretless as it just sounds amazing and serves a very valuable purpose to me.
 
#67
KPJ said:
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!
Click to expand...

Your experience sounds very much like mine. I do not consider a fretless to be some instrument from Mars that only the annointed can play well. Cheers to you! Uh, and me too. Merry Christmas.
 
#73
dhadleyray said:
Not trying to be funny, but most of the time, jazzers don't want ANY electric bass, Fretted or not. So, I beg to differ. ;)

Any leader that has no disdain for the electric bass, usually don't care if it's fretted or not. :)
Click to expand...

Funny, that hasn't been my experience. Maybe if you've got some kind of traditionalist snobbery going on, where they only want to play big band music, but that's only a tiny fraction of what jazz covers. As a saxist, I personally couldn't imagine playing in a fusion or modern jazz group WITHOUT an electric bass, preferably fretless.
 
#75
I wouldn't say that fretless is absolutely necessary - but -

- if I could have only one bass I'd prefer a fretless
- if I had to choose between having two mediocre basses, and one really good one, I'd probably take a good fretless

A fretted might be handy when a fretless doesn't bring much advantage.... I use a fretted for the gospel stuff, and fretless for most other things.
 
#78
dhadleyray said:
Not trying to be funny, but most of the time, jazzers don't want ANY electric bass, Fretted or not. So, I beg to differ. ;)

Any leader that has no disdain for the electric bass, usually don't care if it's fretted or not. :)
Click to expand...

My experience also. Fretless or fretted the same in most bandleader's eyes. They'd prefer a DB but most of their reasoning is for the "look" rather than for any audible reason.

Of course, this is traditional "straight-ahead" Jazz. Real book standards kind of stuff. I think in a more "fusion" or "acid" jazz situation, a fret-less BG is great.
 
#79
doctorjazz said:
Funny, that hasn't been my experience. Maybe if you've got some kind of traditionalist snobbery going on, where they only want to play big band music, but that's only a tiny fraction of what jazz covers. As a saxist, I personally couldn't imagine playing in a fusion or modern jazz group WITHOUT an electric bass, preferably fretless.
Click to expand...

The traditionalists aren't dead. ;)
 
#80
fish slapper said:
My experience also. Fretless or fretted the same in most bandleader's eyes. They'd prefer a DB but most of their reasoning is for the "look" rather than for any audible reason.

Of course, this is traditional "straight-ahead" Jazz. Real book standards kind of stuff. I think in a more "fusion" or "acid" jazz situation, a fret-less BG is great.
Click to expand...

THAT'S what i mean...:p
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back