Thinking about going Fretless?

[EBMan]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm an amateur at best.

I started playing bass 1-1/2 years ago. Felt like I was doing ok so I decided to go with a Corvette Fretless. There is something really cool about the ebony fretboard. It was a beautiful bass and it was fun....at first. Got some really nice sounds. But I started to find that everything I play sounded out of tune. I also had to look at my fingers continously. The faster I played the worse I sounded. The higher the string I played on the more out of tune I was. The higher up the fretboard I played the more out of tune I was. I found my self hot wanting to play as much. I finally sucked up my pride and traded it in on a fretted bass. I am much happier.

Once again, I'm an amateur but I would highly suggest that anyone who is less than very proficient think carefully about buying fretless. I understand that they are very popular sellers right how. I also understand that a lot of them get quickly traded back in.

I am now rediscovering the joys of frets.

 

[Vorago]

It is defenitely a serious step back when you pick up fretless after years of fretted. But, it is very rewarding if you stick with it.

 

[Ben Lesser]

Well, arguably, the main problem is that you jumped to an unlined fretless with relatively little over-all experience. I am far from a competent bassist, but I own a fretless and can play it without any (extremely noticable) degree of inefficiency.

I see where you're coming from, but if you had got a fretless with lines, you might be singing a different tune. And, as always, there is a certain level of patience required. Fretless bass is a totally different cat than fretted, imo.

 

[EBMan]

I failed to insert the word "crappy" before amateur to describe my skills. I'm a weekend bass warrior. I'm sure proficiency has a big impact on enjoyment. I've heard people play them really well. I just wasn't one of those people. At my level of proficiency I just do much better on a fretted.

 

[lefty007]

Yes. . . fretless requires patience and dedication, both to learn your way around it and the get a good sound, or your voice.

I have been tempted several times to go all-fretless, but I always come back to fretted. . . now I play 50/50 an I'm very happy.

I thought it was silly of me to think of myself as an "only-fretted" or "only-fretless" player. Is nice, and wise, to have both and use them to best serve the purpose. . . to serve, the song.

 

[SteveC]

I currently don't have a fretless. I thought I "needed" one for certain gigs or styles, but in fact, I don't. I had people complimenting me on my sound and playing when I used a fretted 4 string in a big band. Should I be using at least a fretless for that kind of gig? Maybe. But if I sound good and cover the gig with what I have and am comfortable on, why worry.

Honestly, I never really been comfortable on a fretless bass. I've used them, but I feel much more comfortable on an upright. Unfortunately, I can't really afford one - money or space. If I could find a sweet deal on a used Azola I'd be tempted as that gets closer than an electric fretless when playing that big band or jazz combo gig.