TO GO FRETLESS OR NOT?

[GretschWretch]

When I was in the Marines, one of my sergeants said, "Don't give orders than can be understood. Give orders that cannot be misunderstood." The reason everyone missed that your remarks dealt only with Glarry is that you failed to point out that your remarks only dealt with Glarry.

I suppose I may have assumed too much. But my original post in question, #15, is all about Glarry and only Glarry is referenced. Context is important.

Good on your sergeant though. I'll have to remember his advice.

 

[Abner]

Haha this is perfect. I'd love to hear recordings of line deniers playing something other than whole notes. Few are chosen...

You've obviously never seen any of this guys videos:

 

[Turlu]

Just bought myself a Squier vintage modified precision fretless bass.....I will explore that beauty and new territory this week-end!!

 

[Lackey]

You've obviously never seen any of this guys videos:

That's pretty decent intonation! But unless he visits this forum and scoffs at lined boards, I got no beef with him, hehe.

 

[Abner]

That's pretty decent intonation! But unless he visits this forum and scoffs at lined boards, I got no beef with him, hehe.

I don't scoff at lined boards, either. Don't have any myself, and I don't really care if you or anybody else does, but don't try and tell us we can't play in tune without lines.

 

[Lackey]

I don't scoff at lined boards, either. Don't have any myself, and I don't really care if you or anybody else does, but don't try and tell us we can't play in tune without lines.

You're taking offense needlessly here.

 

[shade_1313]

Haha this is perfect. I'd love to hear recordings of line deniers playing something other than whole notes. Few are chosen...

 

[Lackey]

Ok to clarify I am referring to folks who scoff at lines, not people who choose to play unlined. But for the record, I heard Steve DiGiorgio live 14 years ago. Intonation was just OK. I don't scoff at unlined boards - it's hard as hell to play, and a lot of people don't play them as well as they may think they do. Next time somebody just post a vid of Michael Manring and let's be done with it.

 

[John Webb]

I bought a fretless SX P bass for about the same price for about the same reason. Everything about it sucked, including the neck. The neck and/or fingerboard was warped enough that there was no way to get the entire thing both playable and buzzless.

Wow, I have never heard a fretless buzz?? Not surprised though....get what we pay for....hopefully a different neck with help.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I am in a project band that has a couple of songs that the bassline was definitely recorded on a fretless bass. I don't have one in my collection of 3 electric basses. Is there a decent, under $500.00 fretless bass out there? Or should I take one of my current basses and buy a fretless neck for a conversion?

What I have right now are: Fender American Vintage reissue "75 Jazz Bass: New(ish) MIJ Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass; and a New Fender Vintera Precision Bass.

Personally, I don't want to change any of them, each has it's own feel, and sound. The only neck I am not in love with is the Vintera, it's finish on the edges is a little rough? I'd like to round the fret edges and even possibly the fingerboard top a little. Both my Jazz Basses have beautiful slim necks that play like butter. The Aerodyne with the P-J pups is killer punchy and rings with pure intonation and clarity in the higher registers. The Vintage reissue is just amazingly Jazz Bass perfect in every way. I guess I am convincing myself to not change any but to find a fretless to add to the collection.

Any suggestions around the size of the stimulus check?

Thanks,

John

+ On the PJ. Great voice.

Go on to Guitar Center used gear. I’m sure you will find some good options there.

 

[BlueTalon]

Wow, I have never heard a fretless buzz?? Not surprised though....get what we pay for....hopefully a different neck with help.

I ended up donating it to a school music program. I explained it's imperfections, but they were happy to have it regardless.

But yeah, fretless necks can have buzz for the same reason fretted necks have it -- part of the fingerboard closer to the bridge from where you're playing is higher than it should be, and interfering with a string's ability to vibrate freely.