I know it is doable, but regular unlined Fretless is enough of a challenge for me.
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Unlined Fretless Dingwall
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I know it is doable, but regular unlined Fretless is enough of a challenge for me.
skyline_01
Endorsing artist: Nordstrand Audio, Tsunami Cables
Altough I do prefer (and own) an unlined fretless, I feel like a multiscale unlocks an intimidating challenge.
Sound good though!
It does have lines, but really short ones. 
Although it's more in tune than other fretless Dingwall videos I've seen, I'd love to hear him accompany someone on guitar or piano. A regular bass part with roots, fifths and octaves all over the neck. I think it might be quite difficult to do it consistently in tune. You'll have to keep increasing/decreasing the distance between index finger and pinkie when you're crossing strings.
I have a Pedulla (regular scale) Pentabuzz and a fretless Rick Turner Rennaissance 5 (35'') and I always need some time to readjust when I switch because the distances are bigger. The lines help a bit, but it's a muscle memory thing. I'm glad it's not different for each string!
Although it's more in tune than other fretless Dingwall videos I've seen, I'd love to hear him accompany someone on guitar or piano. A regular bass part with roots, fifths and octaves all over the neck. I think it might be quite difficult to do it consistently in tune. You'll have to keep increasing/decreasing the distance between index finger and pinkie when you're crossing strings.
I have a Pedulla (regular scale) Pentabuzz and a fretless Rick Turner Rennaissance 5 (35'') and I always need some time to readjust when I switch because the distances are bigger. The lines help a bit, but it's a muscle memory thing. I'm glad it's not different for each string!
It does have lines, but really short ones.
Although it's more in tune than other fretless Dingwall videos I've seen, I'd love to hear him accompany someone on guitar or piano. A regular bass part with roots, fifths and octaves all over the neck. I think it might be quite difficult to do it consistently in tune. You'll have to keep increasing/decreasing the distance between index finger and pinkie when you're crossing strings.
I have a Pedulla (regular scale) Pentabuzz and a fretless Rick Turner Rennaissance 5 (35'') and I always need some time to readjust when I switch because the distances are bigger. The lines help a bit, but it's a muscle memory thing. I'm glad it's not different for each string!
That is exactly what I am thinking too.
I gigged for a while with an unlined fretless as my backup bass, although I would often use it for a song or two per show as well. It was fine for typical basslines and double stops in the lower register, but I also like to play a fair amount of chords and other parts in the upper register, and it ultimately felt to me that developing the ability to play stuff like that without the benefit of any lines was more work than it was worth to me as someone who plays mostly fretted. I now have one of my old fretted basses that has been converted to a lined fretless, and I'm happier with it.
(BASS HUMOR !!!)
Oh come on, a Dingwall doesn't need any fret lines!!!
on the other hand a Glarry fretless needs lines, dots, numbers, & grooves!!
Oh come on, a Dingwall doesn't need any fret lines!!!
on the other hand a Glarry fretless needs lines, dots, numbers, & grooves!!
Lined is definitely easier for me in the upper register, but my current fretless is unlined and I have no plans to buy another fretless, so I have to continue to improve on the bass I have.
Its funny, I never even thought of a fretless Dingwall until I saw your thread Cheese.
That's nothing - I'm going to get un unlined fretless one of these! 
That bass is so beautiful!
That’s a lovely bass but I don’t think my brain is nimble enough to attempt a fanned fretless.
I’m surprised the Talkbass Jaco Joke hasn’t made an appearance yet. But the Dingwall did make me wonder what Jaco would have thought about it. 
I saw the OP video on IG earlier and I’m glad to see it made it to TB. Impressive effort on an intimidating neck.
If I try to look at the fretboard while playing , my eyes go cross. It’s like an optical illusion .Wow, those fret lines are really close together!
Thats why I just close my eyes and use my ears and muscle memory .
I’m surprised the Talkbass Jaco Joke hasn’t made an appearance yet. But the Dingwall did make me wonder what Jaco would have thought about it.
I bet Jaco would have kept his Jazz. He would have been far above most people on any bass, but he was a master of the Jazz that was the bass that he became great using. Of all of the guys who were masters when I was coming up or a young man, Anthony Jackson has been the only one who consistently sought to push instrument design forward.
I've got one for sale in the classifieds right now! (Just sayin'.. )
It's one of the finest instruments I've ever owned, and since fretless is all about using your ears, it's not as challenging to play as you might expect it to be.
