Lined fretless: Make me feel better please!

[bmc]

there are many production basses that leave the side markers where they would be on a fretted instrument - in other words there is no adjustment done for their fretless version

I'll have to go look at my factory '76 fretless but I think that's how Fender traditionally did it

which reminds me, as I put 20 yrs pro in on that bass, I would visualize the 'lines' that are NOT there

My 75 fretless P side dots are positioned where the fret line would be, not as on a fretted bass.

 

[pnchad]

I haven;t looked yet - I'll take your word on it

 

[bassbenj]

there are many production basses that leave the side markers where they would be on a fretted instrument - in other words there is no adjustment done for their fretless version

I'll have to go look at my factory '76 fretless but I think that's how Fender traditionally did it

which reminds me, as I put 20 yrs pro in on that bass, I would visualize the 'lines' that are NOT there

I would not say "many" especially recent basses. Older basses and especially cheapo basses often have markers the same as fretted basses because they just take the standard fretted necks and leave the frets off (makes them lined) and of course defretted basses have markers like that too. My Carvin AC50 (lined) has fretted marker positions as well. All my other basses (lined G&L, Various unlined others) all have markers on fret positions.

Markers in fretted position on a lined bass (like my Carvin) isn't so bad. but fretted markers on an unlined neck will drive you insane in no time!

 

[BazzTard]

the answer is obvious....


BLACK GAFFA TAPE !

ROCK N ROLL !!!!!

 

[gary m]

I have lines on mine. Never regretted it

 

[drumsnbass]

I can't play in tune without them..

 

[pnchad]

well there's a reason - wuss

 

[spade2you]

I would not say "many" especially recent basses. Older basses and especially cheapo basses often have markers the same as fretted basses because they just take the standard fretted necks and leave the frets off (makes them lined) and of course defretted basses have markers like that too. My Carvin AC50 (lined) has fretted marker positions as well. All my other basses (lined G&L, Various unlined others) all have markers on fret positions.

Markers in fretted position on a lined bass (like my Carvin) isn't so bad. but fretted markers on an unlined neck will drive you insane in no time!

Believe it or not, part of the bias against unlined necks is from retailers. You have mentioned why lined fretli are more common. They're easier to sell and retailers typically will promote what they have and bash what they don't have. Hell, most shops won't carry a fretless to begin with because they're much harder to sell.

A long time ago, I was looking at getting a fretless Cirrus. I was thinking about bidding on on an unlined Cirrus custom on eBay. Stock, the Cirrus was only available lined. The local shop told me that I'd never play in tune with an unlined fretless bass. I highly doubt any of the sales people had ever spent more than a few minutes on a fretless. The same shop has assured me that ordering custom stuff like Stambaugh can be dangerous and that Carvin is junk.

 

[benchpress11782]

Great thread

 

[drumsnbass]

well there's a reason - wuss

And proud of it.

 

[Fletz]

Took my new (to me) lined fretless to band practice last night and got the "oh, that's fretless?" comment.

All I know was that it sounded freaking cool. And I played it all up and down the neck without a problem.

 

[Feral Feline]

Believe it or not, part of the bias against unlined necks is from retailers. You have mentioned why lined fretli are more common. They're easier to sell and retailers typically will promote what they have and bash what they don't have. Hell, most shops won't carry a fretless to begin with because they're much harder to sell.

A long time ago, I was looking at getting a fretless Cirrus. I was thinking about bidding on on an unlined Cirrus custom on eBay. Stock, the Cirrus was only available lined. The local shop told me that I'd never play in tune with an unlined fretless bass. I highly doubt any of the sales people had ever spent more than a few minutes on a fretless. The same shop has assured me that ordering custom stuff like Stambaugh can be dangerous and that Carvin is junk.

EXCELLENT point!

Fretless is daunting to most players, much easier to sell a lined fretless when both the retailer and customer don't understand fretless very well to begin with.

Fostering of fretless fear-mongering...

There were lines on the mirror, lines on her face
She pretended not to notice, she was caught up
in the race

 

[reddog]

I should add that the only unlined instrument I have is a wall stud with weed-whacker line strings, a binder clip bridge, and piezo pickup. (The knots and mill stamps do provide some visual references however.)

Now we've all got 2-cycle GAS... "No picture, no bass!"

 

[Ray Matthews]

It's a bass GUITAR, not a cello!
Jaco used a lined bass, don't see anyone dissing him!
Muso-macho snobbery is what I call it!

 

[Smit_Dogg]

My fretless converted Lakland Skyline 44-02 has lines, but they're exactly the same colour as the fretboard and only noticeable from the players eye in well lighted conditions. I've also had the inlay dots moved to all the correct note fretting positions.

 

[frankieC]

I have a lined fretless, sounds great, plays wonderfully, and no one cares that it has lines on the neck. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Fletz]

Im over it.

 

[SteveC]

I'll be over it in a couple months - hopefully.

 

[woodyng]

And proud of it.

I am going with the "lined" look. I'm having my Rickenbacker 4004 Cii defretted,rather than putting an all new unlined fingerboard on it. ( Huge difference in price) . ...

And here she is,with all her neck ridges removed....(replaced with strips of maple).

 

[pnchad]

View attachment 528413

And here she is,with all her neck ridges removed....(replaced with strips of maple).

The proper term is Speed Bumps

Very nice bass