Multi scale 34/35” scale bass I’m building. Thoughts on if I should go With frets or fretless?

Fretless with a 42" scale and a scroll

 

It should be in Luthier's Corner, in BG side.

 

I play mainly fretless with frets marked on the side of the board, I have a few lined fretless basses as well. I think a multiscale fretless would be hard to play, even if it was lined. Maybe if I only played multiscale it would be ok.

 

Doesn't @reverendrally have a fretless multiscale?

 

Yes I did. A mate owns it now, but I don't think it comes out much. It was spectacularly hard to play in tune for jazz. I'd advise against it.

 

I see that the board is already slotted, which means it would be a lined fretless, and for a multi scale that means either ignoring any visual references whatsoever and relying entirely on your ear (possible but very difficult) or staring at the fingerboard the whole time (a crippling technique).

Basically, the concept of a multi scale fretless is a non-starter as far as I’m concerned.

Others may feel differently.

 

I'll see if I can find you a pic. It's a wild looking bass.

 

I'll see if I can find you a pic. It's a wild looking bass.

 

Here you go...





34-31" scale I think, IIRC. Sounded boss... when you could play it in tune that is. Oh, and it's got a trapezoidal neck profile.