I have two fretless basses - one Warmoth Deluxe 5 lined that I do not play and a Roscoe SKB Custom 5 unlined that I love. Likes really do not make a difference for me.
Dan
Dan
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Old topic, new thread.... FRETLESS: Lines? No Lines? Compromise? Innovate? VOTE!!
- Thread starter pablomigraine
- Start date
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- fretless
Hello,
I am going to start to build a fretless (well, order one) and I am very indecisive about the fretlines on the side of the fingerboard. I have already decided that I wont have fretlines on the board, but I definitely want side lines.
My doubt is side lines or side lines with a bit of line on the fingerboard. Do the last make a difference, or it is the same thing?
Thank you. Pictures took from the Maruszczyk configurator:
I am going to start to build a fretless (well, order one) and I am very indecisive about the fretlines on the side of the fingerboard. I have already decided that I wont have fretlines on the board, but I definitely want side lines.
My doubt is side lines or side lines with a bit of line on the fingerboard. Do the last make a difference, or it is the same thing?
Thank you. Pictures took from the Maruszczyk configurator:
For me, none of the above. I want to see the position marker (dot) on the note. If you play that octave on the double dots, you'll be 1/4 step flat. Same with every dot along the neck.
Not at all. I think it's up to you if you want "side lines".
Side dots have to line up with the lines at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12....
Just my thinking....
Wow, an old thread revived. Well, not super old, just a year or so. I've revived older. 
I don't have a problem with any of the options. They all share two things very much in common: they are fretless, and whatever markers they have are just guidelines that your ear can and should overrule. Fretted instruments follow the tempered scale, which is an approximation designed to help with playing "mostly in tune" in any key. On a fretless, you're not limited to this, and can play truly in tune. Though if you're playing with fretted instruments or keyboards you may have to compromise to be best in tune with them.
If this makes no sense, please google "equal temperament" and "just intonation" ... you may discover seemingly counterintuitive information, such as an F# that is the root of F# major actually being a slightly different frequency than an F# that is the major third of D major. (Hint: when it's the third it will be slightly lower in pitch than when it's the root, if it's truly in tune).
I have played much more on unlined, but have a lined fretless and one with the side lines with dots between. To me it's pretty simple: If there are lines, the lines are your rough guides. If there are both side lines and dots, the side lines are your rough guides, not the dots. If it's unlined with side dots, the side dots are your rough guides. In all cases, your ear has to be your true guide.
I don't have a problem with any of the options. They all share two things very much in common: they are fretless, and whatever markers they have are just guidelines that your ear can and should overrule. Fretted instruments follow the tempered scale, which is an approximation designed to help with playing "mostly in tune" in any key. On a fretless, you're not limited to this, and can play truly in tune. Though if you're playing with fretted instruments or keyboards you may have to compromise to be best in tune with them.
If this makes no sense, please google "equal temperament" and "just intonation" ... you may discover seemingly counterintuitive information, such as an F# that is the root of F# major actually being a slightly different frequency than an F# that is the major third of D major. (Hint: when it's the third it will be slightly lower in pitch than when it's the root, if it's truly in tune).
I have played much more on unlined, but have a lined fretless and one with the side lines with dots between. To me it's pretty simple: If there are lines, the lines are your rough guides. If there are both side lines and dots, the side lines are your rough guides, not the dots. If it's unlined with side dots, the side dots are your rough guides. In all cases, your ear has to be your true guide.
Hi J_Bass
very good choice, these are awesome basses drool
When she is your first fretless I would vote for full lines with dots that are "lined up" with them.
Full lines give you a very good starting point to get into frettless playing.
You have to stretch your left hand a bit more than on a fretted bass to be in tune, so a "visual"
control will help you to get the Jaco lines
...but fretless is all about your ears!!! Lines or dots won' t matter when you' re really addicted
this little jumpy is for your new avatar "mad axe girl" plays unlined fretless 
!!!)
yep!!
The proof...
me before playing fretless
aaaand after!!!!
may the bass be with you
greetings to Portugal (and Seattle)
Wise(b)ass
very good choice, these are awesome basses drool
When she is your first fretless I would vote for full lines with dots that are "lined up" with them.
Full lines give you a very good starting point to get into frettless playing.
You have to stretch your left hand a bit more than on a fretted bass to be in tune, so a "visual"
control will help you to get the Jaco lines
...but fretless is all about your ears!!! Lines or dots won' t matter when you' re really addicted
(Hi Inara
this little jumpy is for your new avatar "mad axe girl" plays unlined fretless !!!)yep!!
The proof...me before playing fretless
aaaand after!!!!
may the bass be with you
greetings to Portugal (and Seattle)
Wise(b)ass
Hi J_Bass
very good choice, these are awesome basses drool
When she is your first fretless I would vote for full lines with dots that are "lined up" with them.
Full lines give you a very good starting point to get into frettless playing.
You have to stretch your left hand a bit more than on a fretted bass to be in tune, so a "visual"
control will help you to get the Jaco lines
...but fretless is all about your ears!!! Lines or dots won' t matter when you' re really addicted
(Hi Inara
yep!!
me before playing fretless
View attachment 2748058
aaaand after!!!!
View attachment 2748059
may the bass be with you
greetings to Portugal (and Seattle)
Wise(b)ass
Thank you!
Lol! Hello, and thank you!(Hi Inara
I've both lined and unlined - lined are easier to come by, it seems. My first (and second) were a result of intemperately pulling out the frets, and that unjust procedure - a crime against fretboards - possibly was responsible for my ears and fingers getting atuned.
Better late than never.
This is the same bass from post #5.
I said that I prefer an unlined fretless.
Back in March,the defretted lined fingerboard was milled off.
A Macassar ebony fingerboard was applied.
Although Tune does now sell an unlined fretless TWB63,they will not sell an unlined fretless neck separate from the bass.
So this was necessary.
And yes......it has side dots.
This is the same bass from post #5.
I said that I prefer an unlined fretless.
Back in March,the defretted lined fingerboard was milled off.
A Macassar ebony fingerboard was applied.
Although Tune does now sell an unlined fretless TWB63,they will not sell an unlined fretless neck separate from the bass.
So this was necessary.
And yes......it has side dots.
Last edited:
