Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Poll: Fretless - lined or unlined, regrets?
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
Actually, it's way easier for the manufacturer to build one neck/FB unit and then pull a bunch off the line and fill the empty slots with a filler instead of frets. That's also the reason why the side dots on these basses are wrong.
okcrum
in your chest
I've never had a lined and can't imagine why it would be better, you have to your your ears regardless, but that's just me.
YMMV
YMMV
Agreed, but the overwhelming availability of lined fretli in contrast to it's blank plank counterpart, particularly in the entry level/budget/mid level tiers seems to tell another story. I'm no expert, but I imagine it has to do with the time/cost of retooling and or programming the machines.
I never had a lined fretless - so I really wouldn't know... but I don't have trouble playing an unlined.
Yeah...I'm sorta there too. I hardly get any calls for fretless even though I do my best to find the time to keep up with it. I figure I'll keep just one for that reason. Probably the Warwick and sell the Godin L.R. Baggs. It was handmade in Canada back in the previous century and it's in absolute mint condition. Still, it's far too nice a bass to mostly leave it in the case rather than put it in the hands of someone who can let the world hear it sing. Bugs me to sell it. But I have more than I need. And I really want to start reducing the number of "hardly ever played" instruments my collection. There's just something wrong about hoarding things like that.
I have both. Somehow its easier for me to play in tune on the unlined (Warwick Corvette) than on a 35" lined 5-string (Lakland 55-01). I try not to look at my hands too much and notice being a bit out using my ears.
But, I do find the upper register harder on the unlined.
SO, I'm not voting because I'm in the middle.
But, I do find the upper register harder on the unlined.
SO, I'm not voting because I'm in the middle.
okcrum
in your chest
Yes. For many years I used to have two Ken Bebensee fretless unlined 6 strings @ 35.25" scale and I currently have a Status Graphite 34" scale fretless unlined. A few months ago I just got my Status Graphite 5 string fretless unlined @ 32" scale and I am dealing with the muscle memory issue. I sold the two KBs and am planning to sell the Status 6, so with the 32" bass the only one left I am hoping to get use to it eventually.
Last edited:
I am an unlined player as my only formal training is in double bass. I used to turn down great instruments that were lined but recently bucked that rule with a factory lined fretless Aria SB-1000 from 1982. So glad I did. That bass is magic.
So, I would have voted "Carrots" since that would be more germane to my situation, but that was not an option. So I voted unlined and loving it.
Rock on.
RBM
So, I would have voted "Carrots" since that would be more germane to my situation, but that was not an option. So I voted unlined and loving it.
Rock on.
RBM
I have both and while I can play unlined without too many problems a lined fretless just remove every doubt
(the purple one is the lined fretless, the other is easy to spot )
(the purple one is the lined fretless, the other is easy to spot )
Played unlined since high school (30+years ago). Added lined in recent years. I play in tune better up high on the lined. Down low doesn't matter. Played string bass as well but the physical reference is so different, I can't necessarily apply that experience to the question.
Many have commented on using your ear. I learned early on that my intonation greatly depends on the other instruments or the swirl of volume I'm hearing. I'm not playing in my own little world but listening to all the other parts of the song. Maybe in the difficult pitch environments I should play in my own world with the drummer and just make the others listen to me.
Anyway, I like both and don't have a preference about that part of appearance.
Many have commented on using your ear. I learned early on that my intonation greatly depends on the other instruments or the swirl of volume I'm hearing. I'm not playing in my own little world but listening to all the other parts of the song. Maybe in the difficult pitch environments I should play in my own world with the drummer and just make the others listen to me.
Anyway, I like both and don't have a preference about that part of appearance.
My first fretless was lined. I thought that would be easier to learn on. But it turned out to much harder for me simply because after playing electric bass with frets for close to 50 years I have trained myself NOT to put my fingers ON the frets (lines) and couldn't untrain myself. Consequently my intonation was not good.
I got an unlined fretless and found it much easier to play in tune.
I got an unlined fretless and found it much easier to play in tune.
I have a lined, and it sounds great and it is my first fretless a good way to start. If I were to get another it would be unlined due to cosmetic appearance and because I'm used to playing now.
I don't have a fretless anymore (not counting my double bass), but I've owned two. The first was lined, the second was unlined. Of the two, I liked unlined the most. If I get another, it will be unlined.
