Is there an ideal fret size for thumping & plucking?

[ErikP.Bass]

I generally go with vintage frets on my basses because I'm mostly a finger style / pick player. I've been getting more into thumping and plucking and have been wondering if smaller frets could make the technique more challenging. I'm wondering the same for active vs. passive as all my basses are passive. I know there were some early players who likely were working with both so it's likely achievable, I'm just wondering if there's science behind it helping to define optimal.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I generally go with vintage frets on my basses because I'm mostly a finger style / pick player. I've been getting more into thumping and plucking and have been wondering if smaller frets could make the technique more challenging. I'm wondering the same for active vs. passive as all my basses are passive. I know there were some early players who likely were working with both so it's likely achievable, I'm just wondering if there's science behind it helping to define optimal.

I think it depends on the bass. Dingwall uses smaller fret wire (mandolin or banjo sizes) and a lot of us that play them like to slap. Actually I like slapping on my Dingwall more than any other bass I've had and I see a lot of the prog rock and prog metal guys slapping on them with no problems. I do think tapping in particular is easier with smaller frets. I don't tap much these days but it just seems easier to play consistent. As in I feel like I don't have to be so precise on how I tap in order to get consistent sounding notes.

 

[ErikP.Bass]

@Nephilymbass Thanks for your input. I'm glad to hear your response and I'm not LOL. If I'm to be completely honest I probably want reassurance that slap is more challenging with smaller frets but it's probably just largely too little time practicing (like with most things).

Out of curiously is your Dingwall fanned fret? The bass I'm playing on is a Torzal so it's got another sort of twist. Ultimately it's somewhat irrelevant I suppose if it's the instrument one is learning on and one that sees the most playing time.

 

[Nephilymbass]

@Nephilymbass Thanks for your input. I'm glad to hear your response and I'm not LOL. If I'm to be completely honest I probably want reassurance that slap is more challenging with smaller frets but it's probably just largely too little time practicing (like with most things).

Out of curiously is your Dingwall fanned fret? The bass I'm playing on is a Torzal so it's got another sort of twist. Ultimately it's somewhat irrelevant I suppose if it's the instrument one is learning on and one that sees the most playing time.

Yes my Dingwall is fan fret. All their basses are actually. Conklin also uses smaller fret wire if you run into one of their older groove tools series gt or bill dickens models. If you want to try a bass with smaller frets and see if it's for you. Honestly for me the smaller frets on the conklin I had were part of the reason I bought the Dingwall. Because it was a feature of the conklin I liked a lot.

 

[ErikP.Bass]

Yes my Dingwall is fan fret. All their basses are actually. Conklin also uses smaller fret wire if you run into one of their older groove tools series gt or bill dickens models. If you want to try a bass with smaller frets and see if it's for you. Honestly for me the smaller frets on the conklin I had were part of the reason I bought the Dingwall. Because it was a feature of the conklin I liked a lot.

I didn't realize all Dingwalls were fanned. My Torzal is. I've been a fan ever since playing them on a Read Custom P and a Nordy VJ4. The only other bass I've got at the moment is a RW P that's strung with flats. Once again appreciate your feedback...I'll keep at it....this is a lifelong love after all.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I didn't realize all Dingwalls were fanned. My Torzal is. I've been a fan ever since playing them on a Read Custom P and a Nordy VJ4. The only other bass I've got at the moment is a RW P that's strung with flats. Once again appreciate your feedback...I'll keep at it....this is a lifelong love after all.

Isn't Torzal the brand that makes the necks that twist for ergonomics? Dingwalls aren't like that. Here's a pic of my Dingwall for example