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NBD Squier VM Fretless (my first FL)
- Thread starter since197three
- Start date
Cool... congrats... welcome to the world of fretless.
They're nice basses IMO. They look gorgeous.
They're nice basses IMO. They look gorgeous.
There's one of these exactly the same as OP's in a local music store and the neck is bowed baaaad.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Gorgeous bass congrats reminds me of the Jaco she is a beauty and when I had my fretless I just played it like any other bass between the frets?
Honestly i don't know why this bass is like that but when I find a note on the fretboard for it to be in tune, Im practically on top of the fret line. Symptom of a $300 fretless? Or could that be a neck issue? I'll set it up tomorrow and check intonation. I've only played it str8 out of the box so far.
You're supposed to be playing right on the line. Your finger has to be in the same spot the fret would be, on a fretted you finger behind the fret and the fret does the intonation, on a fretless your finger has to the intonation. There's nothing wrong with your bass.
That would take some serious work on the part of the truss rod and it's previous owner. I've had an ebonol fretboard and they're all-but-bulletproof. With a little time to settle between twists, it might be salvageable.
The fret lines are the points where you're supposed to be "on note". (e.g.: the fifth fret line on the E-string should be intoned to "A") The side dots are not matched up to them, but meant to be a visual cue for the general area you're supposed to be in.
EDIT: I got to fiddle with a used one of these yesterday at my local GC. It was in great condition for a $200 bass (so tempting!), but I already got a new/used bass earlier this week. What I'd really love to do is replace the neck with one from a Classic Vibe Jazz…maybe even the pickups too. That would be a smokin' piece o' work!
Like a fox, maybe!
I'll keep an ear out for the sounds of "omigod I haven't put this thing down since last night
" when I drive through your area on my way to work tomorrow morning. Just remember; one of the first signs of "Fretless Wankery Syndrome" is playing Sex Pistols songs using vibrato techniques.
Lol it has been the only bass I've picked up in the last few days since I got it. Playing fretless songs I figured out on my fretted bass: Sade Smooth Operator. Love that bass solo in the middle of the song! And sounds great being played on a fretless lol go figure.Like a fox, maybe!
I'll keep an ear out for the sounds of "omigod I haven't put this thing down since last night
I have had a VM Fretless Jazz for approx 5 years. Amazing bass for the $$$ and I have adjusted the truss rod maybe twice.
Even though my main bass is a super expensive custom, I still gig the Squier from time to time.
Even though my main bass is a super expensive custom, I still gig the Squier from time to time.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Then I must be crazy I played it between the lines with no problems it was a cheap bass not sure if that makes a difference maybe better basses are less forgiving?
If it's your kinda music, check out Blue Murder's first album. Tony Franklin was the first fretless player (I think) I was introduced to. Kick-ass stuff!
Then I must be crazy I played it between the lines with no problems it was a cheap bass not sure if that makes a difference maybe better basses are less forgiving?
I'd hazard a guess that it's all in the intonation. I mean, within certain tolerances, I suppose you could intonate a fretless to be "on note" in-between the fret lines, no?
Good to know there are exceptions to what I've seen & heard from others as well.
