Pull-Offs on a Fretless?

[Matthew_84]

For the last few days I've been playing a bassline that has a pull-off at the same spot every 4 beats, and I just noticed some decent wear on the board at that spot.

It seems that when I do a pull-off, I push the string into the board and then drag it about an 1/8" or so.

This is how I do my pull-offs on a fretted, but obviously a much different animal on a fretless.

Do any fretless players have any tips, or do you avoid them altogether? I hold the lower note down pretty tight to try to minimize movement, but it doesn't seem to help too much, especially with the large gap between "frets" for this pull-off (3rd to 5th fret).

Panga Panga board (softer than Rosewood) with Chromes.

Thanks in advance

 

[Groove Doctor]

Pull away from the board, not across the board.

For vibrato - roll finger along the length of string.

Someone will chime in with a tip for filling minor divots in the board to prevent further deterioration.
(eg. a tiny bit of glue +/- sawdust).

 

[Matthew_84]

Pull away from the board, not across the board.

For vibrato - roll finger along the length of string.

Someone will chime in with a tip for filling minor divots in the board to prevent further deterioration.
(eg. a tiny bit of glue +/- sawdust).

Sorry @Groove Doctor, can you please elaborate on what you mean by "away from the board"? I can't picture it.

 

[Lee Moses]

Sorry @Groove Doctor, can you please elaborate on what you mean by "away from the board"? I can't picture it.

As in lifting the finger up--make your pull-off vertical instead of horizontal.

 

[Matthew_84]

As in lifting the finger up--make your pull-off vertical instead of horizontal.

Okay, I'll give that a try tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Les Fret]

Pull offs on fretless are no different than on fretted. There always is a slight horizontal movement needed to pull the string with a good sound. The key is to counterbalance that movement with your other finger so that the string doesn't move. So push the other finger in the opposite direction from the pull off finger.

 

[Scoops]

Well, while playing any instrument be it fretless, or fretted, there is a certain minimum pressure you have to put on the string to get a pitch.
By your description, it sounds like you are applying too much downward pressure on the string.

Having a "light" touch will help in preventing the "wear" you speak of.

 

[SteveCS]

@Matthew_84 can you clarify if the wear is under the higher or lower note?

 

[James Collins]

Just get tape wounds and play like normal. A set of la bella tape wounds...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/750T--la-bella-750t-white-nylon-tapewound-bass-strings-light

 

[Matthew_84]

@Matthew_84 can you clarify if the wear is under the higher or lower note?

The higher pitched note. The note I'm pulling off from

 

[Watchootognbout]

Just keep the rounds and play what you want.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Well, while playing any instrument be it fretless, or fretted, there is a certain minimum pressure you have to put on the string to get a pitch.
By your description, it sounds like you are applying too much downward pressure on the string.

Having a "light" touch will help in preventing the "wear" you speak of.

This.

I gigged today on a fretless six with roundwounds. Low action and not much force needed to play. Finger style or slap. I find that fretless can be physically far easier to play than fretted

 

[Noxy]

This.

I gigged today on a fretless six with roundwounds. Low action and not much force needed to play. Finger style or slap. I find that fretless can be physically far easier to play than fretted

View attachment 3316609 View attachment 3316610

lemme just wander in here 7 years later and say holy poopie that is one gorgeous instrument