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Making the switch to fretless

L

LotusCarsLtd52

Dec 6, 2009
398
1
#1
So I'm considering the possibility of going fretless. I've been playing for around one and a half years and figured it would be a fun challenge, but given that I'm still fairly new I thought I'd ask for advice first.

Thoughts?
 
#5
Just jump into it. Of course, try it all out before you buy one, make sure that it's definitely for you.

Some have fretlines, others have the dots on the top that mark the third fret, fifth, seventh, et cetera, whereas others have nothing at all. Just get really comfortable with the bass, and it should all come to you.
 
#9
jeff arddun said:
My second bass was an unlined fretless Pre. Practice will open yer ears up to playing in tune. If you got that fretless sound in yer head it won't leave you alone 'till you get one. Just get it over with and start now.
Click to expand...

+1 I couldn't get it out of my head so i ripped the frets out of my affinity j. then got a badass deal on a VM fretless J. I play it way more than it's fretted siblings.
 
#10
can_v said:
Right now I spend more time playing the fretless than the fretted ones.
Click to expand...

Amen to that. I haven't touched a fretted bass since I got my fretless last week and as of now I don't see myself wanting to for a while.

It'll take a little getting used to, emphasis on a little (it's really not as big of a learning curve as you might expect), but you'll dig it. Just go for it, lined or unlined, fretless is the way to go.
 
#11
Go for the fretless if you believe in your own ears to hear the intonation. You'd be surprised how good you can be.

My first fretless was lined, and I realized that was a mistake - for me (everyone is different). I strongly prefer unlined, although it's nice to have side dots on the neck. I find the lines are both visually unattractive and unhelpful in terms of hitting the proper intonation.

My EBMM Sterling fretless 4, with the original pup subbed out for a Nordstrand 4.3, is my bass of choice for certain jazz gigs. The sound is still a little cutting (compared to an upright bass, which I also play), but that's the nature of EBMM basses and it fits that particular music.

I also have a '78 unlined fretless P that I am still grappling with. I'd like to put the ashtray back on with some foam so as to achieve the muted sound. It's a project.
 
#13
I am thinking about converting an Ibanez GSR200 to fretless. But I really think an unmarked fretless is so much better looking. It's also easier to make a fingerboard that can resist being damaged by the strings if there are no metal markers. I came across a site dedicated to fretless basses. Fretless: the no-worry way to play bass...
 

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