What complications did you not expect when going fretless?

[interp]

One thing I did not anticipate when I started playing fretless was how easily fret lines would become a distraction and a hindrance. Later I moved to necks with just a little 2mm tick on the bass side. I still need to get beyond relying on them. Playing in the dark helps.

 

[musicman556]

With a bit of practice you become adept at turning “wrong thing” into “expressive vibrato”, at which point your artistic credentials rocket to the next level!

Hey, even us fretted players can work on that skill!

But seriously, I've enjoyed this thread. I am considering buying my first fretless as well, maybe early next year. I've dabbled a bit with them over the years and always wanted one. I got spoiled by working at a shop that carried Rob Allens years ago. I'm hoping I'll be able to swing an MB2 by then.

 

[bearfoot]

Minor-seventh chord is a bit more of a stretch. I can see a real benefit to going with shorter scale length on fretless for that.
I've noticed that the tuner isn't always right, it's a good guide, but trust the ears.

I have to look frequently to orient myself, but am finding basic intervals pretty well. Some of the most famous fretless players look at the fingerboard a lot too, so I'm not that concerned about it.

 

[GrapeBass]

One thing I did not anticipate when I started playing fretless was how easily fret lines would become a distraction and a hindrance. Later I moved to necks with just a little 2mm tick on the bass side. I still need to get beyond relying on them. Playing in the dark helps.

Once you begin to play fretless you'll notice your technique will improve for your fretted playing.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I agree with using your ears, but as an old guy set in my ways, having a lined fretless made the transition easier. The lines give you a starting point for your ears to take over IMHO.

 

[Nashrakh]

Regarding sliding, imo it shouldn't be the default way of playing a note on fretless. It should be chosen for expressive purposes where it fits and doesn't interfere with the music. A good fretless player should be able to make the bass sing like we all love with fretless, but should also be able to play such that no one knows you're playing a fretless.

Yes, that's what I would advise to do as well. Keep it simple at first, and even if fun, overdoing it will get you the stink eye.

 

[JRA]

What complications did you not expect when going fretless?
i did not expect that i'd consider fretted instruments to be more complicated than fretless instruments.

 

[Gorn]

Thinking I was pretty good till I heard a recording of myself.

 

[Passinwind]

Regarding sliding, imo it shouldn't be the default way of playing a note on fretless. It should be chosen for expressive purposes where it fits and doesn't interfere with the music. A good fretless player should be able to make the bass sing like we all love with fretless, but should also be able to play such that no one knows you're playing a fretless.

I've been playing fretless for over 45 years now (and I started on one) and I hardly ever slide, except when I use an actual metal slide. I actually probably use conventional slides more on my fretted bass.

 

[OogieWaWa]

The only reason I even play fretted is because it's harder to sing and play on a fretless. Fretted gives you a little bit of wiggle room where you place your fretting fingers.

Yeah, I'm having quite a bit of trouble with that right now; I've been using a fretless occasionally for half a decade, but just started singing about a year ago. It's impacting intonation and timing for both playing and singing. I'm sure it'll just take time.

And listening to yourself via recording is definitely a good idea.

 

[Stewie]

No worries, just play. Try to avoid "sliding", it's a lot like screaming "Hey! Look at me!"
I started 40 something years ago when I switched out the neck on my only bass, and never looked back until a few years ago. Turns out I suck at fretted bass, so I went upright instead

 

[40Hz]

I've been playing fretless for over 45 years now (and I started on one) and I hardly ever slide, except when I use an actual metal slide. I actually probably use conventional slides more on my fretted bass.

Agree. You tend to want to use slides more on a fretted bass (IMO) in order to get a little more expression. On a fretless bass a little discreet bit of slow finger rocking on just a few notes will get you that “singing” phrasing vibe far more easily.

 

[nilorius]

When you play fretless you have watch the fretboard more often.

 

[ShortyGetLow]

I'm a tiny bit scared of going lineless, but looking forward to the challenge.

Nail polish side markers for a bit...

 

[dr_gonzo]

I realized how much I relied on my vision whilst playing. I played a gig in a very dark stage (my fretless bass has very dark lines) and couldn't see anything. I was all over the place and did not expect that at all. Just something to consider. Like someone else said, it's very useful to practice intonation beforehand and to try to play without looking at the fretboard.

 

[gtlover]

I learned on upright and fretless, and I found myself actually getting lost when I started playing with frets - my point of reference was off just a smidge! And I had to work on the left hand technique to keep from buzzing. After a few months of daily practice with both it was no big deal to switch back and forth.

 

[brbadg]

A couple of things.I started on unlined fretless.I actually preferred this.
Only problem is you really have to use your ears.
Many times the actual pitch is above where you land.You really have to pay attention.
If you are standing up,and you want to play an A on the g string ( 2nd "fret"),
It wont necessarily be where you think it is.It can be frustrating.
On lined fretless,you may not necessarily be on pitch if you play on the line.
That sucks,let me tell you.Might as well do without the damn lines.
( unless you're Jaco )

 

[Kmonk]

My experience with fretless has been that you have to be more precise with finger placement. If you're off even slightly, the note can sound off. I have several played lined and unlined fretless. Every bass was a little different. On one lined bass, I had to place my finger directly on the line in order to have correct intonation. On another bass, I had to be slightly behind the line and on another, slightly ahead of the line. This may have been due to the overall intonation of the bass being off slightly. I only use my fretless basses for recording music for tv shows when the client specifies that they want a fretless sound. Otherwise, I play fretted.

 

[oldcatfish]

The only real complication is that it's much more important to be able to hear yourself clearly at a gig than with a fretted bass. It can be disastrous if you can't.

--Man, this is SO true. I recently borrowed my friend's fretless for a few weeks (thinking about buying it from him). Picked it up quickly and got way overconfident. Played one of those gigs where the sound check was fine, but had trouble hearing myself during the gig. It was really bad. And the sad thing was, I didn't realize it was as bad as it was, until my wife played a recording she made from her phone. Unfortunately, for once, the bass was not buried in the mix out front. I think that I was slightly out of pitch most of the time. Worst performance that I have ever had. I definitely WON'T be performing with a fretless again anytime soon. Though I might still buy my friend's bass.

 

[Wasnex]

I never had any trouble switching from fretted electric to upright. But I was never able to get comfortable on fretless electric. I have had a couple of really nice fretless basses for an extended time and I always struggled with intonation. I think one reason is because I use one finger per fret on electric and I don't have the finger reach to use this technique with fretless. So I tried Simandl fingering on fretless and it was a bit better, but I still struggled with intonation.

With string bass you have a lot more contact with the instrument so you have more physical references, which helps increase the accuracy of shifts, which sets up your basic intonation.

I think another problem is related to the slight differences in scale when switching between fretted and fretless. If I would have put the fretted bass down and played exclusively fretless for an extended time, I may have been able to master the fretless. To illustrate the problem: Sometimes I switched between an NS Design EUB and a traditional string bass, and I found the slight variances in scale between the two instruments really knocked off my intonation. Switching from a 34" electric to a 42" string bass is so drastically different that I had no problems.