Should I buy a fretless?

[BurningSkies]

Lines or no lines -- both are fine! I started with lines, but now I prefer not having them. On an unlined, I expect you will find anything from the 7th 'fret' on down is very easy to intonate, and anything above the 12th is pretty darned tricky to intonate. If you are playing simple rock and blues, low down on the neck, you will find it is easy. I promise!

(Also, I am a pretty mediocre player, and lazy these days about practicing; but fretless is still pretty easy, and not scary. And it is fun!)

Yeah, well...as you get further up the neck and the frets get closer, you've got way less leeway for error when it comes to being in tune; a tiny amount of movement produces way more pitch divergence. Down at the far end of the neck it's more effort to play but way easier to be in tune.

I started with unlined fretless, but now have lines. That was because my current fretless is a conversion (although a really nice professionally done one). I actually prefer the lines, but certainly could manage without if needed as well. For many of the 'less intrepid' players who are nervous about the switch, the lines may make the move a little friendlier.

This thread is pretty useless without some pictures though. So, here's my first and my current.

 

[john_g]

Didnt read all the replies but I got a Squier Vintage Modified (lined) fretless jazz bass when I wanted to learn fretless. Not expensive and a really nice instrument. I have been playing since 1986 so I wasnt a newb when I got my first one and I always loved the sound of one. Took me a bit by surprise how difficult it was for me to transition and get the intonation down. I played 5 and 6 strings and had no problem getting up to speed immediately, but the fretless gave me a little trouble. It was totally worth it though and my goal now when I play one is to "not let anyone know Im playing fretless until I want them to". The only reason I dont play it more at gigs is that I play some keys with hands and feet too, sing backup, and run the sound, so its really difficult to keep all that going and stay in tune but Im sure with some work i could get it down.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I will just repeat what others said, get a cheaper fretless and we how you like it.
I have played a lot of fretless for the past three years, and I found that fretless is great, but I also have found that I really love frets too.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Is this a trick question?

 

[misterCRUSH]

Yeah, well...as you get further up the neck and the frets get closer, you've got way less leeway for error when it comes to being in tune; a tiny amount of movement produces way more pitch divergence. Down at the far end of the neck it's more effort to play but way easier to be in tune.

I started with unlined fretless, but now have lines. That was because my current fretless is a conversion (although a really nice professionally done one). I actually prefer the lines, but certainly could manage without if needed as well. For many of the 'less intrepid' players who are nervous about the switch, the lines may make the move a little friendlier.

This thread is pretty useless without some pictures though. So, here's my first and my current.

View attachment 3934170 View attachment 3934181



View attachment 3934178

love the pickup covers! added them to mine to break up the white on white.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Love this thread. I'm thinking of building a Pau Ferro fretless (w/markers) with a Jag bass body (painting it myself in 60's "surf-burst").

 

[OogieWaWa]

Speaking of intonation... When you get your fretless, one thing I found is to make sure you or whoever does a good setup for you understands getting the bridge saddles set correctly. You might not think it would be an issue, heck, just slide to the right place, but it doesn't work that way. Lines or not, it's a bit more difficult to get the intonation of each string right, but it's vital. So is tuning, for that matter. So that the notes are consistently where you expect them to be across the board. I can do it on my lined neck one, but I'd consider having a pro help me and show me exactly what to do on an unlined one.

 

[luciens]

In addition to all the other great comments, I'll just say that what I did was just get an FL and just started playing it. My first was an unlined FL L2000 that I bought in '99 or 2000, don't remember. It was one of my main basses for 20 years.

I'd been a fretted player for quite a few years prior, but I just brung the L2K home and started wailing on her night and day. I never took any lessons and didn't really do any fretless specific practice; I just paid attention and tried to play all my "old standards" in tune.

I haven't played a fretted bass in quite a few years now (over 15) and today, I have a jaco pastorius artist jazz bass and a tony franklin precision bass as my main basses (won't go into what happened to all my other basses).

What I've found is that playing the fretless turns you into a good fretless player, and playing the fretted turns you into a good fretted player. I'm not sure about whether playing the one turns you into a better player of the other. My thinking is if you want to get good at fretless bass, you should play the fretless bass.

As for the 6 string fretless, I did 6 string FL for a few years (both lined and unlined) and I didn't find it really that remarkable. Unlined was a little trickier than lined, but the 6 was significantly easier to intonate above high D or E, because you have the high C string you can play those notes on.

As for whether the FL makes you a better musician or not, I also can't really say. I still have no musical talent or knowledge of my instrument with or without the frets on it.

I do agree that the FL has the comforta advantage of not having the height of the frets. So the neck is thinner front-to-back of an equivalent fretted neck. My tony franklin for example has the most supple, nicest, playable neck you've ever picked on a precision bass, and part of that is because it's missing the frets. It's almost like playing a jazz neck.

So I agree definitely get one and try it, and see what you think of it.

L

 

[4stringfarley]

I've lusted after a Fretless bass shortly after I started playing when Death released Individual Thought Patterns. I've owned a few over the years, and anytime I don't have one I automatically think of how bad I want one. Once you learn how to play one, not only will you become a better bassist, but also a better musician. You learn to play more with your ears than your eyes. Here's a video from one of the best bassists alive playing a 6 string fretless.

 

[P A U L]

Speaking of intonation... When you get your fretless, one thing I found is to make sure you or whoever does a good setup for you understands getting the bridge saddles set correctly. You might not think it would be an issue, heck, just slide to the right place, but it doesn't work that way. Lines or not, it's a bit more difficult to get the intonation of each string right, but it's vital. So is tuning, for that matter. So that the notes are consistently where you expect them to be across the board. I can do it on my lined neck one, but I'd consider having a pro help me and show me exactly what to do on an unlined one.

depending on the neck, measure a same scale bass from nut to 12th or 24th fret. Put down a piece of painter's tape where the fret would be, then measure & mark the fret spot w/ a sharpie.

I use a clamp on capo. Hit open string, then clamp on the capo w/ front edge on the sharpie line. Hit that note. Adjust accordingly, repeat...

 

[Qlanq]

When a bass player thinks: "Should I learn to play fretless". You know it is time to get a fretless bass.
It's a lot of fun.
Hard work at the start, but very rewarding.
And, a lot of fun. A lot.

 

[SteveC]

I think this has probably been a thread by itself (or should be), but I've got a couple off the top...

Manring - Zon HyperBass (Custom)
Egan - Pedulla
Jaco - Fender Jazz
Feraud - donno - not associated with anything special AFAIK
Kumalo - saw him doing some stuff with Kala

Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets - pre mint jam cd I think) - plays a Roscoe fretless and now fretted.

 

[Evert]

I am learning to play bass, but I do it on a 4-string fretless Ibanez RDGR. 120€ pre-owned (I think i'm at least the third if not the fourth owner) but in more than decent shape - a perfect first instrument.

It's fun to play, proper intonation is obviously a challenge, but that is part of the fun.

Highly recommended !

 

[electracoyote]

I would buy a MIM fretless Jazz and play the snot out of it.

View attachment 3933675

All kidding aside, the first time I felt compelled to acquire a fretless bass was when I passed the audition with a VERY GOOD Bad Company tribute band. I researched Boz Burrell and learned his tricks. At one point in his career, I think he did favor a fretless Fender Jazz (though he is probably better known for his fretless 'Ray, Lakland, and Ampeg). Anyway, I learned all his fretless licks on a four-banger MIM Fender lined fretless Jazz in classic burst. I still have that bass and I have gone on to learn a lot more freltess styles on it.

One thing new fretless players should know is the set up is just as important, but slightly different, than a fretted bass. You can go much lower with the nut slots. If you're not DIY, a good tech who understands a FRETLESS electric bass set up is required.

For those who play guitar, a well-set up fretless is kind of like a 12-string acoustic, lots of mileage for your effort, new tones, much inspiration. Pick up an entry level model, have it properly set up, and get inspired.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you've only played 4 string fretted, doing both is a big jump. Look here in the classified - lots of members try it and give up.

 

[WillyW]

I only read the thread title...

Yes

 

[BurningSkies]

love the pickup covers! added them to mine to break up the white on white.

View attachment 3934271

I headed over to the neighborhood tech to grab it from a set-up long ago and mentioned that I should order a set of covers...he said "why order?!?" and pulled out an old tool-box from under the work bench that was filled with chrome covers he'd removed for people back in the 70's. 10 Bucks later I had a set of jazz covers and a P-bass bridge cover. For a while I used that on this bass too, to retain the look but have more access. I actually had to remove the original foam from the Jazz bass bridge cover.

 

[Wasnex]

If it were not for Covid, I would highly recommend you take a road trip and try some basses out before you buy.

I started on upright bass using Simandl 1,2,4 fingering. When I started on bass guitar, I continued with Simandl fingering for over a decade, but after I turned pro I transitioned to one finger per fret (OFPF). About the same time I transitioned to 5-string and then a few years later I transitioned to 6-string. I continued playing upright throughout my career using Simandl fingering. I have been playing a Yamaha TRB6P with OFPF since about 1995.

A few times over the years I tried to pick up fretless bass guitar and I never could get comfortable with it. With frets you don't have to reach all the way to the frets to play in tune, with fretless you have to make the full reach. My hands are not big enough to use OFPF on fretless, and I found it too confusing to switch back and fourth between different fingering systems on bass guitar. IMHO OFPF provides some pretty significant advantages that I was not willing to give up.

I think if I would have put my fretted instrument down and focused on fretless for a couple of months that I would have been able to make the transition, but I really did not see the point since I could easily switch back and fourth between upright and bass guitar. My solution was to get an electric upright bass. I chose a US series 6-string NS design and I could easily get a really nice fretless sound.

As long as I could hear myself clearly, I could switch between bass guitar, electric upright, and acoustic upright with out any problems. But often you need to be able to play acoustic upright without being able to hear yourself clearly. When I anticipated this, I had to put the NS Design down for awhile so I could get my intonation to settle on the acoustic bass. This is because the scale is very close but not exact.

Also I found each of the transitions: 4-string to 5-string bass guitar and ultimately 5-string to 6-string bass guitar to be fairly confusing. When you learn to play you learn a bunch of separate processes that you eventually automate and stitch together so you don't have to think about playing. Your brain maps the fretboard so when you want to play a note it simply happens with very little conscious effort.

When you start adding strings, the references for you mental maps are wrong so it's very easy to get confused. Basically you have to unlearn some automated mental processes and relearn them. You can get fairly comfortable in a couple of weeks, but IMHO reasonable mastery takes a few years. If you decide to play 6-string, I recommend you use 6-string exclusively until you get really good. That way you are only building the new mental processes instead of reinforcing the old way of thinking.

Also there is a difference between thinking like a 4-string player and thinking like a 6-string player. IMHO it took close to a decade before I felt more at home on my TRB6P than on a 4-string. Prior that I approached it like a 4-string with two extra strings. Now when I play a 5-string or 4-string I miss those strings and have to adjust my playing because I think like a native 6-string player.

Most of the mechanics between 4-string and 6-string are pretty much the same. The one aspect of playing that stands out is muting. My 4-string muting technique worked fine on 5-string. But when I started playing 6-string I often had problems keeping the strings from ringing. I had to expand and refine my muting technique over a couple of years, but now its automatic and I rarely have to think about it.


I think it's important to put some effort into buying a decent quality instrument instead of settling for a bass shaped object. At the vary minimum do some research on string spacing, scale and neck shapes so you can get something that suits your needs. I don't think you need to buy a super expensive bass, but there are lot's of instruments that are not ergonomically suitable for your unique physiology. If you buy a bass that does not feel good in your hands, your not going to want to play it. Just because 50 bazillion people like a bass does not mean it is a good fit for you. Unfortunately the best way to find out if you like a bass is to do an in hand test.

 

[zon6c-f]

I have been playing bass for 2 and a half years now, and I want to try a fretless or a six string bass, or maybe even a six string fretless. However, I have never played a fretless or a six string before, and the shops around here don't have either. Should I buy on of them online or should I maybe try to find a shop that has them?

Yes
I own a 6 fretless but try a 4 or 5 first?

 

[gumbynotpokey]

Yes