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Lined vs Unlined
- Thread starter Pirate Captain
- Start date
well, leo made them like guitars and resolved that issue with frets! 
it's always gonna be a thing as long as:
- fretted players feel 'less-than', as they should!
kidding!!!- unlined players try to make lined players feel 'less-than' because they use lines, e.g., "training wheels."*
- lined players try to tell unlined players that their intonation is better (that could only be true if they had better ears!
)- other, etc., yada yada.
...it’s your personal preference. Just have fun!
lines help a lot if lines help a lot. it's not a case of one size fits all, but you're right, IMO: "It isn’t like once you have a line that you don’t correct the notes to be in tune …"
the debate? i think it's worthwhile, certainly for newbies. there are so many things to consider, but how could you know them or consider them if you're just starting fretless EB? hearing different opinions will help some players some of the time. if you need to be taught, told, or shown = lessons.
edit: i only play fretless: i like seeing what i've always seen = side dots only. but i was reminded in the past week that not every fretless player is "fretless only" --- many (most?) fretless players play both instruments (fretted and fretless), and many of those playing both like some continuity in the way they visually relate to the two instruments, e.g., lines present as frets and therefore they make better/consistent visual cues for some.
there are fine players on this forum who started their fretless journey on one or the other and then later wished they had started on the alternative instead --- and there are players who feel lucky that they made the right choice in the beginning, are glad they did, and wouldn't change for hell or high water.
aren't we really just defending our 'personally successful' choices?
i.e., i got something right for a change! * i've said that before to ding a 'lined' player who was attacking me for my choices.
mea culpa...curse on his house! 
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Lotta folk say, "Jaco only needed 4 strings." So, then, Jaco needed lines?
I simply have no preference. And, after following a bit of advice by Steve Bailey (another killer rock style fretless player, 6 strings, and no lines) who told me to practice with eyes closed or in the dark. I don't stare at my fingerboard, but I do occasionally look to keep my hands where I want em. If the bass has lines, or it doesn't, matters exactly the same to me, as I look just as frequently whether the instrument is marked or not.
If lines matter, it is because of diads, double stops and chords. For me, my ability to play multiple notes at once, in tune, does improve with lines. Why? I don't know. And I still play chords when playing an unmarked board. But I simply don't feel as confident. Maybe that'll come in time.
If what an audience sees matters to a player, then unlined has an advantage. But there is no difference tonally. So if a bass sounds and plays to my liking, whether it has lines or not, to me, makes no difference. But to a buddy of mine, it makes all the difference. To each his own, I think.
I simply have no preference. And, after following a bit of advice by Steve Bailey (another killer rock style fretless player, 6 strings, and no lines) who told me to practice with eyes closed or in the dark. I don't stare at my fingerboard, but I do occasionally look to keep my hands where I want em. If the bass has lines, or it doesn't, matters exactly the same to me, as I look just as frequently whether the instrument is marked or not.
If lines matter, it is because of diads, double stops and chords. For me, my ability to play multiple notes at once, in tune, does improve with lines. Why? I don't know. And I still play chords when playing an unmarked board. But I simply don't feel as confident. Maybe that'll come in time.
If what an audience sees matters to a player, then unlined has an advantage. But there is no difference tonally. So if a bass sounds and plays to my liking, whether it has lines or not, to me, makes no difference. But to a buddy of mine, it makes all the difference. To each his own, I think.
I do not play fretless much (sans upright) However, when I am called to play fretless it is usually short notice and time sensitive. The lined board helps for the first 30 minutes or so. Speaking only for myself, the lines and visual depth perception are not a clear guide for me anyway while in the playing position and playing on the lines themselves. Like an unlined, I have to adjust regularly in small steps to be steady on pitch to what my ear needs to hear. Either way, I use what I have.
But if it's any consolation to those with a nervous tick about lines, I only use blank unlined notebook paper to write my charts on...
But if it's any consolation to those with a nervous tick about lines, I only use blank unlined notebook paper to write my charts on...
Lines are just a reference, ears are a better reference, if your finger is a little out of line, well, it happens, there's nothing wrong with you playing "out of line" to play in tune.
Lines can be a problem if you want extremely low action. Even on very expensive "boutique" instruments, it's hard to get a radical setup with lined boards, because different materials move differently. And particularly I find it very ugly (lined).
If you don't need a radical setup don't worry about it, be happy with any lines, marks or dots, just trust in your ears.
Lines can be a problem if you want extremely low action. Even on very expensive "boutique" instruments, it's hard to get a radical setup with lined boards, because different materials move differently. And particularly I find it very ugly (lined).
If you don't need a radical setup don't worry about it, be happy with any lines, marks or dots, just trust in your ears.
I often read while playing, and losing my frame of reference on either the page or the instrument is bad in ways that don't exist on a fretted bass. The lines are a useful visual aid, and I can assure the OP that despite their presence, I am fully capable of switching between just and equal temperament when playing chords.
I'm evidently stupid, tone deaf, or just plain suck. I like my lined fretless. Without the lines, I'd be lost.
My PBass had no lines but it did have dots on the side of the neck. A fun bass and for over a year my only bass - used on all gigs and recordings. I had no need for lines but it would be fun to try it.
Lined vs. Unlined... meh...
Let's talk about his seriously unconventional left hand technique instead.
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I have both. I play both. I use the lines for reference on a lined fretless, but I don’t use the sided dots unless they have been put at the location of the lines. I don’t think I play one better or worse than the other when sitting down with the bass on my thigh.
I can see the side dots easier / better on an unlined neck than I can see the lines on a lined neck if I’m standing up playing either one on a strap.
I can see the side dots easier / better on an unlined neck than I can see the lines on a lined neck if I’m standing up playing either one on a strap.
The OP said, "shut it down...the master has spoken". Until another master says something different....
Sure, if someone assumes that playing on the lines means you're always spot on in tune, but in reality, who ignores their ears? Lines or not, you roll your finger if necessary. Lines are a guide only, like dots on the side. Or perhaps side dots are a no no too?
I've had fretless basses with lines and without and I can sound just as good or bad on either.
Sure, if someone assumes that playing on the lines means you're always spot on in tune, but in reality, who ignores their ears? Lines or not, you roll your finger if necessary. Lines are a guide only, like dots on the side. Or perhaps side dots are a no no too?
I've had fretless basses with lines and without and I can sound just as good or bad on either.
He’s great.
No right or wrong or best bass.
I learned violin and my grade school teacher was pretty mean. You get your hand hit with a ruler for looking at the neck instead of your sheets you learn to not be sharp. Just saying.
I find playing in a band/group dynamic my tiny brain takes over and pitch lands pretty well. I don’t look a ton except occasionally at side dots. But they are all in the traditional fretted location on my basses so even when I look It’s not helpful.
No right or wrong or best bass.
I learned violin and my grade school teacher was pretty mean. You get your hand hit with a ruler for looking at the neck instead of your sheets you learn to not be sharp. Just saying.
I find playing in a band/group dynamic my tiny brain takes over and pitch lands pretty well. I don’t look a ton except occasionally at side dots. But they are all in the traditional fretted location on my basses so even when I look It’s not helpful.
I suck equally well on both line and unlined fretless. And I'm proud of it!
This is true for me also. I switched to fretless on an unlined Warwick but as my playing evolved and I found myself wanting to include some multi-notes it was difficult to keep accurate intonation. I never went all the way to full lines but side markers at each fret position were a very big help.
After becoming very comfortable playing arpeggios and scales in any configuration anywhere on my fretted bass’s fingerboard, I purchased an unlined fretless Precision. The salesman told me to play it in the dark to get used to muscle memory where all the notes were on the board. That is exactly what I did and to this day, after purchasing that bass in 1977, I never have to look at the fingerboard on my fretless. Some of the best advice I ever got about playing bass.
This video describes my journey with fretless perfectly. Fretless playing is kinda like singing...you have to find when/how how to vibrato, when to adjust for pitch, to hold em to walk away know when to run...you know what I mean. I believe playing unlined got me there faster but to each their own. 
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I have lined fretless and unlined fretless basses. I like them all. In my experience, I’ve found that it’s not so much whether the fingerboard is lined or unlined, as it is where I put my finger to sound the notes. I’ve also learned through practice and experience that both types have all of the notes.
How many,in a band context,are playing whole notes that are simultaneously being compared with other notes?
When you tune up in a band setting do you then compare your bass with the other tunable instruments?
When you tune up in a band setting do you then compare your bass with the other tunable instruments?
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