I'm considering having a luthier add tiny dots to my fingerboard of my Double Bass. Maybe at the 7th fret, 12th, 17th, and 24th. Please don't report me to the admins. Whatcha think?
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Double Bass To Dot or not to Dot? That is the question.
- Thread starter Michael F Clef
- Start date
This thread was posted to the Double Bass Side of TalkBass. WAS THAT YOUR INTENTION?
If you intended this to be on the Double Bass side, you're not alone. Just be aware that position markers get very mixed reviews. If you care, that might bother you. Many folks who use markers use temporary ones. But temporary or permanent, when you have to have your fingerboard replaced, the markers go too.
Also be aware that when you change the type of strings the markers were set for, the accuracy of the markers will change.
Are you getting these on the front of the fingerboard, or on the side of the fingerboard?
If you intended this to be on the Double Bass side, you're not alone. Just be aware that position markers get very mixed reviews. If you care, that might bother you. Many folks who use markers use temporary ones. But temporary or permanent, when you have to have your fingerboard replaced, the markers go too.
Also be aware that when you change the type of strings the markers were set for, the accuracy of the markers will change.
Are you getting these on the front of the fingerboard, or on the side of the fingerboard?
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Is that intended to be decorative or functional?
There is an established location for fretboard markers.
I would recommend using stick-on dots first, and seeing how and whether you use them.
There is one tiny dot at the 5th fret on the side now. But I'm considering adding them to the front. I don't think it would bother me if the intonation changes slightly due to string changes, as I rely on my ear anyway for precise tone, I just need a general target to shoot for.
Function. A general target to shoot for, as I use my ear for precise tone.
I've quite liked small stick-on dots on the fingerboard face from the octave upwards (I used the smaller side dot size from a set-of stick-on guitar dots). I've contemplated making them permanent, but never quite committed to it.
OKay, so I assume you're talking fretless bass.
I would recommend going the decorative route in the intended location.
Whether fretless electric or upright, my suggestion is tiny little dots of white-out. On the face of the fingerboarrd, put them in between E and A and D and G strings and they'll last; or on the edge. If my setup changes materially (say, bridge height), I scrape the wee dots off with a fingernail, find the new location, put a new wee dot. I don't much like the idea of permanently embalming the Januray 2025 setup forever in my fingerboard.
I have two dots on the side at G and A of the E string; and two dots on the face at the octave position.
I have two dots on the side at G and A of the E string; and two dots on the face at the octave position.
Many times this. Don't put something permanent on until you're sure if and where you want them. Spend some real time with "practice dots" first. Like months. I was considering having dots put on my new bass and my luthier suggested I try dots made with silver sharpie on my old bass for a while to see how it went, because it can be removed with a tiny dab of isopropanol (rubbing alcohol).
In the end, there are no permanent dots on any of my basses. I didn't really find them helpful. I do still pencil in a couple of lines from time to time, but it's very faint and I don't rely on them too much.
I used small squares cut out of tape as side dots when I first started playing in 1981. Eventually they peeled off one by one and by then I no longer needed them.
I'm sure I'll get complaints for saying this, but it seems that a lot of the people who complain the most virulently about position markers use the neck heel or the contour of the neck or the geometry of the neck or the grain of the neck or other either visual or tactile markers to know where they should start out. So essentially they're using markers too, but their markers aren't recognizable to other people.
The basic truth is that it is impossible to hear where you are on the neck until you can hear yourself play the string.
If after figuring out where to start, your primary intonation is by ear, you'll probably be fine. Just about everyone agrees that there are much more important things to be watching than your fingering on the neck.
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When I got my Azola BugBass EUB, I was initially bugged (no pun intended), as a "purist," that there were marker dots embedded in the beautiful fingerboard. During the first week or two of practicing with it, however, I found them valuable occasionally as there was no left upper bout to use as a gauging point, and the heel was a bit off compared to another bass I play.
After a week or two, I never look at them. Never. My vote would be to go with something temporary, but it doesn't really matter if they're there and you like them. The only two problems are worrying about what other people think (who cares, and don't) or trusting your eyes and the dots instead of your ears.
After a week or two, I never look at them. Never. My vote would be to go with something temporary, but it doesn't really matter if they're there and you like them. The only two problems are worrying about what other people think (who cares, and don't) or trusting your eyes and the dots instead of your ears.
Earl
Supporting Member
Hi ! Unless your height varies a lot, you don't need dots.
If you play one day sitten and the other day stood up maybe you need, generally speaking the instrument is adapted to your body.
The other day I played an instrument that wasn't mine, it was a 3/4 and no adaptation was needed.
It's more problematic on a bass guitar.
Yes… and no. It’s possible to move the bridge from its designated location, and thereby change the string length…
Please don’t report me to the authorities for saying that
Ppl have some strong opinions on this topic, can do a search for old threads if you want some additional reading. Just saying the word “frets” can be triggering over on this side of the forum 
If you are looking for some non permanent dot markers and want to buy them from somebody invested the community instead of AMZN or whatever, Mark Gollihur sells a little sheet for about $4
If you are looking for some non permanent dot markers and want to buy them from somebody invested the community instead of AMZN or whatever, Mark Gollihur sells a little sheet for about $4
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I started learning double bass after about fifty years on bass guitar and six on acoustic fretless bass guitar. I've put some white Tipp-Ex (correction fluid) dots on the edge of the fingerboard as they would be on a fretless BG - i.e., in the fret position - not in the gap between the frets. I've found it very useful while learning when I need to hit a note at the start of a song or after a large jump.
I wouldn't put them on the front of the fingerboard as you can't see it well from the side - but everybody else can!
I wouldn't put them on the front of the fingerboard as you can't see it well from the side - but everybody else can!
