Unlined for First Fretless?

[bassbrad]

Buy a bass that looks and sounds like you desire, one can always add guise lines as needed.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Buy a bass that looks and sounds like you desire, one can always add guise lines as needed.

Nice way to put it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

 

[ThudThudThud]

Just think of all those poor, innocent children out there learning violin, cello, and bass without the help of lines.
Lines are cool, but no substitute for a good ear, and muscle memory.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Is that Rocky Marciano?

 

[nonohmic]

Just think of all those poor, innocent children out there learning violin, cello, and bass without the help of lines.
Lines are cool, but no substitute for a good ear, and muscle memory.

Hurr de freakin durr.

 

[Ric Vice]

Having taught in a Elementary School String program for quite a few years we all used thin plastic model detailing tape to line out the first several positions on violins, violas, and cellos for beginning and intermediate students. Just my take however.

 

[Ric Vice]

Great players great music their basses of choice have epoxied fingerboards that are among the most difficult to play in tune I’ve ever experienced even with lines. Just my take of course, but my Lakland 55-94 lined fretless is infinitely easier to play in tune. Like I said before just my take.

 

[Yahboy]

Brief background: mid-50s guy who's been playing instruments for 35-40 years, mostly guitar and keyboarded instruments. The past couple years I've become attracted to bass, and it gets most attention. I'm pretty good with skill - had a Guitar Craft background, so I focus on technique a lot. But I'm not a "natural" with perfect pitch.

I want to buy a fretless, and my mind immediately thinks "lined". But sadly, some basses I like aren't lined.

Would I be crazy to consider a first fretless bass as unlined?

Just imagine you are those ppl who learn to play cello or double bass.....

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Great players great music their basses of choice have epoxied fingerboards that are among the most difficult to play in tune I’ve ever experienced even with lines

Hey Ric, what do you figure makes epoxied boards harder to intonate upon?

Sincere, non-argumentative question as I have a ebanol board on my FSO Fretless jazz and have only played wood boards (in a band scenario, not just at the shop) years ago.

 

[VicDiesel]

Is there terminology to distinguish between 1. lines where the frets are 2. little lines only on the side of the neck?

Since I don't play hunched over my instrument I don't care for 1. but 2. is (still) essential for me.

 

[bassplayer1960]

Brief background: mid-50s guy who's been playing instruments for 35-40 years, mostly guitar and keyboarded instruments. The past couple years I've become attracted to bass, and it gets most attention. I'm pretty good with skill - had a Guitar Craft background, so I focus on technique a lot. But I'm not a "natural" with perfect pitch.

I want to buy a fretless, and my mind immediately thinks "lined". But sadly, some basses I like aren't lined.

Would I be crazy to consider a first fretless bass as unlined?

 

[dune]

As others have said, not crazy at all. Buy the one you like.