Is fretless over-rated?

[barebones]

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

Whoa.

 

[bassteban]

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

He's biting the player's knees, to distract him. Then he'll rip out the frets. The infinite spirit of Jaco told him to.

 

[ChrisPbass]

What is it's current rating??

 

[FJR Rider]

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.

You know, I actually did search 'fretless' on this board before posting this up. Out of the 280+ threads where the word 'fretless' occurs, I didn't see one that addressed this topic. Clearly, I am in the minority here by thinking that fretless isn't as magical as most make it out to be. My apologies for smacking the hornet's nest, especially as a n00b

 

[mister-o]

You know, I actually did search 'fretless' on this board before posting this up.

Yeah, I didn't...I see your point though! Guess I just thought I'd seen it a lot before, but it may have been a while back.

If I were to put my point more constructively, it would be this: There are dozens of things about basses and specific bass players that I don't care for, actively dislike, or maybe even want to punch (okay, maybe not). But why tear other people down or try to start an in-group based around not liking something? Why not try instead to improve your own bass playing or bass/music knowledge base?

I think I'm also rubbed raw by the Raleigh Craigslist musicians section, which is 90% ****-throwing and 10% actual music networking.

Sorry to have gotten on your case unnecessarily!

 

[bassteban]

FJR, that's cool. I also hope it's clear that I am guilty of being intolerant of others' intolerance at times. To remain on topic, I'll say that the best use I have found for my fretless is to practice difficult pieces- then switching over to a fretted(if that's what the song calls for)makes it that much easier. Kind of like ankle weights.

 

[FJR Rider]

No problems, guys. I guess i should have worded my initial post a little differently as well. I have no disrespect for fretless; I was just wondering if there were others out there that gave fretless an honest go, and ended up feeling like I do :dunno:

 

[GrooveBass]

Just my 2 cents. I think fretless is cool to fool with, but as I haven't had time to dig into it, it's a cool effect for now. It's like knowing your room well enough you can walk across it blindfolded and keep your toes un-bruised. It's a nifty trick, but what's the point? That said, I look forward to getting a fretless of my own to examine more closely.

 

[Mystic Michael]

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.

Overrated? I dunno. How well do you think it's rated?

Personally, I dig fretless electric for its ability to express subtlety and nuance - but feel pretty much the same way as you do about the double bass. Maybe your tastes will change over time as you evolve as a player. Mine certainly have...

I used to love playing hard rock. Not anymore. It's not that I can't keep up with the volume or energy level. It's that I'm bored by its primitiveness, so I've long since moved on.

Try it again in five years. Or 10 years. You might be surprised...

MM

 

[blowinblue]

Is fretless over-rated? No. But making a big deal about playing one is. As I've posted before...do violin, viola, cello, bass viol players mention that they play 'fretless'? If a nine year old child can play violin with good intonation, fretless bass players have nothing to boast about. Those of us who play fretless electric bass guitar just need to get over ourselves. IMHO, of course.

P.S. The above comment is not directed at the OP, but fretless bass guitar players in general.

P.S.S. YIMV (Your intonation may vary)

M. M.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

sting used a fretless quite a bit live with the Police

Boz Burrell used a fretless exclusively during his tenure with Bad Company

to each their own.

 

[klorence]

i'm gonna tear your (fretted) playhouse down.

 

[spade2you]

If fretless is considered over-rated, it's not being done correctly. Since a majority of bassists might use it for a song or two, it's hard for me to say that most bassists really dig deep and learn to understand how to use their fretless to the fullest extent or investigage the possibilities of how different fretless basses will sound. You have your Rob Allen, Pedulla Buzz, and everything in between.

What is it's current rating??

Is fretless over-rated? No. But making a big deal about playing one is. As I've posted before...do violin, viola, cello, bass viol players mention that they play 'fretless'? If a nine year old child can play violin with good intonation, fretless bass players have nothing to boast about. Those of us who play fretless electric bass guitar just need to get over ourselves. IMHO, of course.

P.S. The above comment is not directed at the OP, but fretless bass guitar players in general.

P.S.S. YIMV (Your intonation may vary)

M. M.

Good points, especially how many make entirely too big of a deal that the bass is without frets. I play fretless 99% of the time and can assure you I don't have much talent, so it's not nearly as difficult as some might lead you to believe.

 

[lambro]

Clearly, I am in the minority here by thinking that fretless isn't as magical as most make it out to be.

here is the flaw..this statement



its not what fretless is "made out to be"

its what YOU make of the freltess instrument

 

[Plantbrain]

No problems, guys. I guess i should have worded my initial post a little differently as well. I have no disrespect for fretless; I was just wondering if there were others out there that gave fretless an honest go, and ended up feeling like I do :dunno:

As a long time fretted player, I've come over to the fretless side a lot. At first, it was troublesome, anything new will be. I started about 3-4 years ago.

Here's the deal for me with fretless: it improves my fretted playing a lot. Tone, tuning, speed, you name it.

I find I play more groove and fewer notes, but better notes, with a fretless. Less flash and more bassics.

I took one to a gig once and had a ball, I thought I was going to get laughed at, play out of tune, "What? No snappy riffs and flash? No slap?" I had a great tme, they loved it and I played in the pocket great that night. I feel the bass more with a fretless.

Well.........I learned how to get the slap and flash out of the fretless also. It's easier with fretted bass..........so going back and forth is good. Improves both types of playing.

I like the flow of the fretless and sliding around, getting those pretty muwah sounds, particularly up high, and the fretless also taps rather nicely as well, different than the Fretted, I also have to say intonation seems better(anothe rposter said a similar thing).

But it (playing a fretless) is a challenge, not to others, or for bragging rights etc, rather it is a personal challenge and part of the growth process as a player for myself.

And no way, fretless can sound anything but pretty soft playing, drive some distortion into that bad boy and slide around, sounds like a Motocycle reving up Gnarly metal, Rage against the machine Primus Jaco Hell Mix.

But then hit a few buttons on the foot switch, you are back to the pretty sweet tones, huge dramatic transitions.That is awesome flexibility!

I'll say it has improved areas of my playing I'd never considered it might before trying to play them.

Now I love my Pedulla buzz as much as the Kubicki ex factor.
Upright players have an entire other realm. And then there's the acoustic guitar like players.

Or the the first bass I played, the Tub (sad but true).

Still, rather than suggesting it's better/worst...I look at it from a growth prespective for you personally, do not judge it bassed on what others think, but what sounds you can get out of it. How the instrument itself influences you and the art you do.

That's how I pick a bass, it has to speak to me and help my art.
If so, it's a keeper.

It's not the bass that's the issue, it's us.

I do not dimiss challenges so easily as long as they are productive and I have a good attitude. Some of the hardest things/challenges are worth the most. If a hillbilly redneck from KY can do it, you can

hehe

Regards,
Tom

 

[Mr. Mig]

I like the "growl" that a fretless gets. But, as said earlier, to each his own.

 

[Phalex]

IMHO "fretless" is just another option on a "bass". So fretlessness IMO is no more overrated than the bass as a whole.

 

[FJR Rider]

Good points, Tom. I didn't realize you were on this board, although I should have, considering one of your recent threads on PT ;-)

 

[rarbass]

I wouldn't say its overrated. I'd just say it's not for everyone. But it's already been said.

 

[RSJ4STRING]

Is fretless over-rated? No.