Now you see dots...now you don't!

[basspraiser]

Somebody probably said this, but what about ebony fretboard, no dots, and fretless (ala Tony Franklin). Now that's classy! (and difficult to play [for me] which explains why mine gets so little use, regrettably)

You mean like this

Or this

 

[HighPockets]

I think no dots looks really cool.

I have a few basses that way ... Ebony looks especially cool without dots..

I Also REALLY like blocks... Binding depends on the block color and fretboard ...

I am not a huge dot fan but am not going to change out a neck just because it has dots...

This!

Except for the part about having "a few basses that way", I only wish I had a few with no dots.

 

[basspraiser]

This!

Except for the part about having "a few basses that way", I only wish I had a few with no dots.

Unfortunately no dots seem to only be a " custom option"..

I wish more basses were offered this way...

 

[Jeff K]

On fretted basses, it just doesn't matter to me. I like dots, blocks, shark fins, or naked. On fretless, I like total nakedness.

 

[Fliptrique]

Nothing, blocks, dots - in that order.

 

[bassfran]

Here's my only non-dot electric-
I do like ebony boards without 'em, I suppose. Nice contrast from the fancy top.

 

[FretNoMore]

I prefer the clean look of side dots only, for fretless as well as fretted. I try not to look at the fretboard anyway so lines and dots on the fretboard have no function, other than esthetics.

Having said that, I think I have all combinations of fretted with and without dots on the fretboard, and both lined and unlined fretless with side dots. The only thing I don't have is block inlays, that's not my cup of tea.

 

[sotua]

I liked no dots, but I remember distinctly that when I had warwicks I had internalized certain special spots of wood pattern on certain key frets...

Fun thing: I've been a rosewood or wenge fretboard guy most of my life. I remember I was having trouble playing my first maple board bass onstage because I missed having the contrast between bright strings and dark fretboard.

 

[Cosmiceddie]

Doesn't this look cool?

 

[Baird6869]

Yeah!!!! I love turning at my guitar player when I'm playing fretless (unlined) and we're jamming. I give him the gently inviting, look at where I'm nod and all.

Even better with a 5 or 6 string. Funny as hell to play something like E on the 17th fret of the B on an unlined fretless and turn to show a lost guitarist.

Actually, I kid.... I am glad my guitarists have dots as it does help me from time to time. I just like the clean look personally.

 

[BassinCT]

I like both and have no strong opinion on having face dots for performance considerations, but like the clean look of a plain board. Both of these boards are pau ferro:

 

[groundhog]

I guess I am in the minority, but I dont like the big block inlays. I prefer the dots more, especially on rosewood

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

My LB76 is naked (and my LB76F is blank) and I love it. Mind you, I make a point not to teach with either of these basses. It sucks when I get a 5/6 string student and have to take it, it is a lot more difficult to "follow my hands" if the board is blank.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I love naked fretboards rosewood or maple.

 

[Goatrope]

Naked

 

[Fxpmusic]

Even better with a 5 or 6 string. Funny as hell to play something like E on the 17th fret of the B on an unlined fretless and turn to show a lost guitarist.

Actually, I kid.... I am glad my guitarists have dots as it does help me from time to time. I just like the clean look personally.

I would have a hard tune myself following a 5 or 6 string by looking at it since I've never played one.

 

[000_Unknown]

Doesn't this look cool?

Esh Stinger is next on my list..

 

[jamro217]

Best fretless neck so far is the unbound maple jazz with no markers, no lines and no side dots. It's like playing a 2x4, only thin and fast.

 

[jamro217]

One of the most confusing things ever is the fretless 4001. There are side dots for every fret. You get lost looking at them and lose your point of reference (which is the whole idea of dots in the first place).