lined or unlined

[ivyman]

i am looking to buy a fretless and wondering if i should by lined or unlined

is lined significantly easier than unlined?

also i want a fiver aswell should i get a fretless fiver or save for a fiver later

 

[bongomania]

Lined is significantly easier than unlined when you're starting out. Later, when you've got a good instinctive muscle-memory of the fretboard positions, the lines are not necessary.

The question of fiver/not fiver has nothing to do with fretless. It is not easier or more difficult with 5, and the price is not so different usually. If you want a fiver, get one. Doesn't matter.

 

[embellisher]

I prefer lined, for one reason. There have been times when I have had to play fretless and was in a position on the stage where I could not hear myself well. At least with lines, you can be sure that you are very close to being in tune, if you can't hear yourself.

 

[LedBelli Bass]

My first fretless was a Humanbase Jonas 6 string, UNlined, but it had some very nice & helpful side markers that coincided with lines. It was very playable that way.

It was a bad move to sell it.

My current fretless is a lined F-Bass BNF-5. Of course, it's pretty easy to play.

Some fretless I've seen only have the side-dots, period. I think I would find those more difficult if I was in a hurry and reading from a chart (which I do a lot of).

So: lined . . . or something close to it.

 

[bassrique]

Lines if you'll be playing any kind of demanding music. Muscle memory works on an upright, but not so much on a BG. It's a whole different deal. Watch the great fretless BG players; they look at their hand while making shifts. And it almost doesn't matter if you can hear you messed up and correct quickly, because you just honked a clam. You can fake it by doing a vibrato and acting like it was on purpose, but that only works sometimes. Other times, just being a little out of tune for a split second makes the whole band sound bad. You don't get extra points for having no lines and/or not looking.

 

[vinxbass]

I bought a Squier FVM Fretless which is lined, because I never owned a fretless and wanted to get into it for cheap. The lines help, but to be honest with you, if I applied myself a little more to the fretless I wouldn't really need lines.

One other thing, I like looking at the crowds when I play and on a fretless, I'm always looking at my left hand (I'm a right handed player).

 

[bmc]

Go with whatever you feel comfortable with. I have had both. Lined is easier.

Unlined is a bit of a challenge. When I bought my unlined 17 years ago, I had no other bass in the house. I thought it would be easy to pick up. I had fond memories of the lined fretless. It proved hearder that I anticipated. It took me 3-4 weeks of practicing to get where I needed to get to.

After that, I was proud of the accomplishment and with all that practice, I got a bit better. My unlined has side dots which helps a whole lot. It's a fun challenge that I'm glad I rose to.

 

[banditcosmo]

I really don't see how lines on the fretboard help. When I play I really can't see the fretboard that well. When I look down I mostly see the side of the neck. I find having lines or dots on the side of the neck is much more helpful then on the fretboard. I had a Rob Allen MB2 with fret lines but the lines were very hard to see on the side of the neck so I had trouble playing that bass. I just got a Birdsong that has the dots but also had lines burned on the neck. Very helpful for me.

 

[spade2you]

It all depends on what works for you. What works for me may or may not work for you. I play unlined and don't find it very difficult, although all of the notes are dotted on the side of my fingerboard like banditcosmo. To me, I don't like looking at the face of the fingerboard. I only want to glance at the side from time to time.

Lines confuse me because the actual line isn't where the actual note is, so I gotta coordinate my eyes, ears, and fingers to a note that isn't 100% correct and adjust to find the right intonation.

 

[etoncrow]

I really don't see how lines on the fretboard help. When I play I really can't see the fretboard that well. When I look down I mostly see the side of the neck. I find having lines or dots on the side of the neck is much more helpful then on the fretboard....

I totally agree with this statement. Unless you are playing bass like a dobro the lines are useless. Your eye will catch the side markers immediately. IMHO

 

[Pilgrim]

I prefer lined, for one reason. There have been times when I have had to play fretless and was in a position on the stage where I could not hear myself well. At least with lines, you can be sure that you are very close to being in tune, if you can't hear yourself.

Great wisdom there. If you have the lines, they're there when you need them. If you have no lines, you're completely on your own.

And I played upright bass (no lines) for years before taking up electric. Give me the lined version ANY day. To me, having lines is a great advantage of electric bass, and I don't want to give them up.

Here's mine....the lines are white styrene strips:

 

[MEKer]

Hey Pilgrim-------1.what is that beautiful bass you have there? Looks really interesting and 2. what strings are you using? and finally 3. how's the fretboard holding up? Thanks.

 

[bucephylus]

Lines if you'll be playing any kind of demanding music. Muscle memory works on an upright, but not so much on a BG. It's a whole different deal. Watch the great fretless BG players; they look at their hand while making shifts. And it almost doesn't matter if you can hear you messed up and correct quickly, because you just honked a clam. You can fake it by doing a vibrato and acting like it was on purpose, but that only works sometimes. Other times, just being a little out of tune for a split second makes the whole band sound bad. You don't get extra points for having no lines and/or not looking.

+1 and consistent with my experience both ways.

I guess there are two kinds of fretless bass players: those who like lines and those who don't.

One point is that everyone posting here is using some kind of visual reference; and IME that is required on EBG. Muscle memory is not happening, unless God has given you something no one else has. Side dots work OK.

I have no problem seeing my fingerboard at a glance, but that capability will depend on where the player holds the bass. I don't hold mine like a dobro either. the neck pup is about where my navel is. If you sling the bass down at your knees, then, yes the fretboard is hard to see.

Spade, you've posted this before, but I never get your point that the note isn't where the line is. Stopping the string directly on top of the line works on my instruments within micro-adjustment. Sure, if you are going to finger behind the fret line, like on a fretted instrument, your stop is in the wrong place. But, the line is much closer to the correct witness stop than side dots are going to get you, again IME.

Anyhow, these are personal prefs, and I doubt the differences will cease to exist. The main thing is to play well and in tune with taste. God bless us all to get there however each does it.

 

[MNAirHead]

Lined are easier to sell and start with.

After you get the hang of it... it is a cool freak factor to go unlined.

I own both.. opinion.. go lines until you're sure you love it.

 

[spade2you]

Spade, you've posted this before, but I never get your point that the note isn't where the line is. Stopping the string directly on top of the line works on my instruments within micro-adjustment. Sure, if you are going to finger behind the fret line, like on a fretted instrument, your stop is in the wrong place. But, the line is much closer to the correct witness stop than side dots are going to get you, again IME.

In tempered pitch, lines are often ok. When you start dealing with true pitch, not so much. Fretted instruments just don't intonnate very well and the lines are basically in the same spot as frets.

Gary Willis discusses the topic and instructs that a certain point to play flat of the line in the upper register to get a more accurate pitch, although I can't remember which is which because it really doesn't pertain to me.

 

[bassrique]

One point is that everyone posting here is using some kind of visual reference

+1

I had an unlined bass for awhile and I used the side dots and wood idiosyncrasies as visual cues [some natural, and some caused by my finger oils]. Having said that, I like lines better, remembering that one's fingering relative to said lines moves "back" as one moves up the neck. For instance, when playing on the first "fret" one's finger is slightly ahead, while one's finger is slightly behind at the 19th "fret".

My main point is one should not be shy to use one's eyes as well as ears when shifting about.

 

[Philbiker]

is lined significantly easier than unlined?

I play both and I've found that the lines help me on the higher notes. For most playing the side dots on my unlined bass are just as easy to use as a reference as lines are on my lined bass.

also i want a fiver aswell should i get a fretless fiver or save for a fiver later

Go for broke with a fretless fiver!

 

[Jim Carr]

Either works. If you have studied double bass with classical technique, it can be mostly applied.

Lines may seem easier, but they are often invisible, especially on a dark stage, and can mislead. True, lines are easier for beginning, and probably do sell better when you wanna dump the bass for one of these (any excuse!):

 

[Philbiker]

Some fretless I've seen only have the side-dots, period. I think I would find those more difficult if I was in a hurry and reading from a chart (which I do a lot of).

If you're in a hurry and reading from a chart you're not going to be able to look at the neck anyways, right? I play my Brice 6 fretless in church regularly and in that situation I'm reading from guitar chord charts. I need to be able to intone the notes and my eyes are on the music not the fingerboard.

 

[fo shizzle]

Unlined with side dots for me.

I'll also admit that part of that is vanity. I've worked hard over the years to become skilled at playing fretless in tune without lines.... I'm aware that sounds stupid!