Is fretless over-rated?

[barbarbass]

I play the upright (in a community orchestra, and with my usual gig) and electric fretted (a 90s Jazz). I used to have a fretless P -- with roundwounds -- and eventually got rid of it.

It seems to me that if you're going the fretless route, you might as well go all the way, and use an upright. The additional string length (of the upright), together with the lack of frets, is what really "makes" the fretless "sound."

 

[Otso]

I play the upright (in a community orchestra, and with my usual gig) and electric fretted (a 90s Jazz). I used to have a fretless P -- with roundwounds -- and eventually got rid of it.

It seems to me that if you're going the fretless route, you might as well go all the way, and use an upright. The additional string length (of the upright), together with the lack of frets, is what really "makes" the fretless "sound."

Or you can go further and get a yourself a tuba.

 

[Gothic]

I play the upright (in a community orchestra, and with my usual gig) and electric fretted (a 90s Jazz). I used to have a fretless P -- with roundwounds -- and eventually got rid of it.

It seems to me that if you're going the fretless route, you might as well go all the way, and use an upright. The additional string length (of the upright), together with the lack of frets, is what really "makes" the fretless "sound."

Well, maybe that's true, maybe... But still, going to a metal gig with an upright's like George of the jungle with a tux. Do we really need that kind of attention?

 

[roysloco]

I played my friend's fretless Fender a while back and loved it (but I don't think I'd enjoy it so much for more rocky music). It had really gorgeous tone because you could give it HUGE presence and lots of treble without worrying about the horrible sharp 'clacking' off the frets you get on a fretted bass with such high tone settings.

I've also heard people (can't remember who, sorry!) using the fretless-ness to very good effect by scooping up to certain notes - sounded really warm and smooth.

 

[René_Julien]

But did it have a fingerboard, or was it, like the greek lyre, played only using open strings?

Something that has no fingerboard is fretless anyway.
According to my logic.

 

[Gothic]

That's a "lyra", the greek lyre, as aforementioned. No fretboard there! Consider it something like a harp.

 

[René_Julien]

Well, maybe that's true, maybe... But still, going to a metal gig with an upright's like George of the jungle with a tux. Do we really need that kind of attention?

YES. Ask Markus Grosskopf and his new band Bassinvaders.

 

[Gabriel51]

I love fretless! The quite silky smoothness of moving around the fingerboard makes playing so easy.
Once you get over the 'where the hell am I', it took me about six months to be proficient, 25 years ago.
Expect to slide sharp# feeling for the fret at first.

 

[Gothic]

YES. Ask Markus Grosskopf and his new band Bassinvaders.

I stand corrected! So, rephrasing/correcting my previous post: I would certainly not attempt that!

(btw, Markus is one of the craziest bassists out there!)

 

[mister-o]

To each their own.

/thread -- On the first reply, even!

Why do these types of threads refuse to die? Reminds me of the every-other-month "I don't get Jaco" threads. Do a search. Give it a rest.

 

[Jazz Ad]

One thing's for sure, fretless bases are overowned.
So many bass players own them, so few actually use them to play music.
I plead guilty. I have the most awesome fretless bass in the universe and I play it maybe twice a month, barely ever gig it and only use it for home recording once in a while.
I love the feeling but most of the time fretted fits my style better.

Fretless is a fantastic instrument and always a pleasure to play. It produces sounds no other instrument can bring out and this alone makes it worthy.

 

[Jazz Ad]

<snip>

That's a "lyra", the greek lyre, as aforementioned. No fretboard there! Consider it something like a harp.

First depiction of a fretted instrument. Babylone, 2500 BC.

Can we call it even ?

 

[Gothic]

First depiction of a fretted instrument. Babylone, 2500 BC.

Chop

Can we call it even ?

Wasn't debating whether a fretted or fretless instrument came first, just showing the greek lyra after a remark about having a board or not. So, sure, even! LOL

 

[René_Julien]

(btw, Markus is one of the craziest bassists out there!)

Here here. ... +1

I once saw Helloween live.
When they play the song Take Me Home, the bassline.

Bass not audible in metal music??? Think again and listen to Markus.

That's some kick*** Happy Metal bassplaying.

 

[ga_edwards]

Would you consider Cream "jazz" or "softer music"??
Jack Bruce plays a fretless warwick and KILLS it.

Fretless isn't for you. No big deal. Doesn't mean it's over rated.

Firstly as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, JB played a fretted EB-3 in the old Cream days.

When I say him on a lengends of rock tour he played a fretted EB-3 derirative on his cream filled set. I have seen him play the fretless thumb on the Seville 92 Guitar Hero's concert and his intonation quite often wasn't great.

He also played fretted for a majority of the Albert Hall reunion gigs.

Also, Jack quite famously said something along the lines of "Cream was a jazz band, we just never told Eric".

I don't know what to make of all this or what my point is, so take of it what you will.

 

[KPAX]

Fretless is fretless. What's to rate?
Is painting over-rated vis-a-vis sculpture?

I know this will probably get me flamed out of existence, but am I the only person here who's picked up a fretless, put some time into it, and come to the conclusion that its almost pointless? I understand the whole 'emotion' thing, but it just doesn't 'do it' for me. Maybe its because I'm not into playing jazz, or any other 'softer' styles? Dunno. I'm trying to like the fretless, but I just can't seem to care that much about what the instrument has to offer vs. fretted.

 

[KPAX]

What's that dog doing to him????

First depiction of a fretted instrument. Babylone, 2500 BC.

Can we call it even ?

 

[baba]

What's that dog doing to him????

You beat me to it!!

 

[Mark Wilson]

Firstly as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, JB played a fretted EB-3 in the old Cream days.

When I say him on a lengends of rock tour he played a fretted EB-3 derirative on his cream filled set. I have seen him play the fretless thumb on the Seville 92 Guitar Hero's concert and his intonation quite often wasn't great.

He also played fretted for a majority of the Albert Hall reunion gigs.

Also, Jack quite famously said something along the lines of "Cream was a jazz band, we just never told Eric".

I don't know what to make of all this or what my point is, so take of it what you will.

My fault.
I didn't mean to imply Cream was jazz, or that Jack played a fretless with them.

I simply meant to imply that Jack Bruce plays a fretless! haha

 

[bassteban]

/thread -- On the first reply, even!

Why do these types of threads refuse to die? Reminds me of the every-other-month "I don't get Jaco" threads. Do a search. Give it a rest.

It's because in the superiority of our great tolerance, we will not tolerate intolerance. Thus if one *doesn't get* Jaco/ERBs/fretless/meat/________ to the point that it's somehow neccesary to tell us all, the various swarms become aroused. Then Zombies, then the LOCUSTS!
On topic, I overrrate fretless for my situation. Like Jazz Ad, I rarely use one(someone should thank me for that ), yet have 3, including a custom & a DB.