It's really not that big of a leap from lined. As long as I have a couple of references (dots on the top of the neck), it comes pretty naturally - at least down below the 12th fret.
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What complications did you not expect when going fretless?
- Thread starter Sophi1023
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^ This..!!
Fretted bass is more forgiving on stages where you can't hear yourself all that well.
Or if you've had a couple drinks..
Regards
Mark
My past bass instructor, who happened to play on lots of NYC Broadway shows, once told me that a fretless bass is treated as a whole other instrument on a Broadway show, similar to the difference between any two distinct instruments. Players who are asked to play fretless, as well as fretted, are paid more money, as are players who might play clarinet and tuba parts on a show.
Just that piece of information made me feel OK about never being able to get used to playing fretless. I could only do so on simpler songs that I regularly gig. Since I didn't use my fretless that much, I sold it a couple years ago.
Just that piece of information made me feel OK about never being able to get used to playing fretless. I could only do so on simpler songs that I regularly gig. Since I didn't use my fretless that much, I sold it a couple years ago.
To be honest, at the time, I was too ignorant to notice complications. But, now, I’d say the setup. I find fretless to have little nuances that make it more difficult to setup.
I think the surprising thing for me was that it is super easy for my hands to drift out of position and intonation when playing scales by myself if I'm not paying attention. I have pretty good ears and I still don't notice it until I look at my left hand.
I didn't expect I'd be playing it in a band with a guitarist who had perfect pitch. I drove him absolutely crazy 
I didn't understand the use of open strings to help with intonation.
I didn't understand the use of open strings to help with intonation.
I've been playing fretless of one kind or another since my earliest days - the '60's. The surprise came when all the other instruments were fretless as well - violin, slide guitar, dobro, pedal steel, etc. Does anybody up here have the actual note? As @brianrost mentioned, open strings become a necessity at times - not just for the bassist but for the whole band!
I expect flatwounds and myself to get along.......clearly it was not meant to be.
I'll try again in another year.
You can use roundwounds on a fretless, I plan to do it on my next fretless. Expect more board wear, but that’s what epoxy is for.
Edit: be sure to use “tonewood” epoxy...
The sound was much softer. Aside from that, no problems with intonation or anything for me. One could say I slid right into the part
I play fretless almost exclusively and I’ll add that for me and the bands I play in
1) I need to hear more treble in order to feel the most comfortable with my playing. It may just be my imagination, but if I can more precisely hear the attack for each note I can intonate the notes better and I get them more where I want them. I ended up getting rid of my bass cabs without horns, and dialing up the horn (and treble EQ) to help.
2) I’ve been surprised how many bass players come up to talk about fretless bass guitar. It’s encouraging, and fun that way.
3) you’ll be surprised at how happy it makes you when someone says “man, I didn’t even know you were playing fretless” All that work, and I’m happy when it’s invisible!
1) I need to hear more treble in order to feel the most comfortable with my playing. It may just be my imagination, but if I can more precisely hear the attack for each note I can intonate the notes better and I get them more where I want them. I ended up getting rid of my bass cabs without horns, and dialing up the horn (and treble EQ) to help.
2) I’ve been surprised how many bass players come up to talk about fretless bass guitar. It’s encouraging, and fun that way.
3) you’ll be surprised at how happy it makes you when someone says “man, I didn’t even know you were playing fretless” All that work, and I’m happy when it’s invisible!
I just picked up fretless again after selling my first one off in frustration about 20 years ago. Fortunately, I have found that my intonation is far better and it was 20 years ago! I think it is incredibly important to have a fretless that is very similar to your main fretted bass in terms of scale and ergonomics . It will really help develop your sense of place on the fingerboard.
As others have said, being able to hear yourself clearly in live situations is crucial. Poor intonation will kill the greatest of songs and grooves!
String selection will also have an outsized influence in your sound, so choose carefully and be ready to tweak your setup if you change gauge and/or tension.
My fretless EQ is also totally different than my fretted, so it’s nice to have some options to preset on your amp or preamp.
Enjoy!
As others have said, being able to hear yourself clearly in live situations is crucial. Poor intonation will kill the greatest of songs and grooves!
String selection will also have an outsized influence in your sound, so choose carefully and be ready to tweak your setup if you change gauge and/or tension.
My fretless EQ is also totally different than my fretted, so it’s nice to have some options to preset on your amp or preamp.
Enjoy!
@Sophi1023, do yourself a favor & just dive in. When I first started playing 30 yrs ago, I started on fretless & couldn't be happier. I've always had one in the aresenal, & right now have 2.
They are a different animal; I approach fretted basses differently, but fretless is hugely rewarding! DO IT!!
They are a different animal; I approach fretted basses differently, but fretless is hugely rewarding! DO IT!!
A couple things; I thought fretless bass was physically easier to play than fretted. It can be, but it's not always, and depending on the bass and strings, it can be more tiring on my hand than playing fretted. Even a great playing fretless can be more tiresome than you expect, because you have to reach that tiny bit more to be "on" the note all the time. That may not be an issue for those that play fretless most of the time, but it's an issue to some of us that just play fretless occasionally.
The dynamic range of a fretless, again, depending on the bass, strings, and setup, may not be quite as wide as a fretted. I set up my fretless basses to be fairly easy to play, and with low enough action to have the right quantity of string to fingerboard buzz. If you start digging in on a fretless set up this way, the buzz can sort of choke notes, or give them a "ceiling" on volume. The harder you play, the less open "tone" you get due to the buzz choke.
One other surprise for me was discovering that I think I may prefer the medium scale for a fretless neck.
I’m looking forward to the fretless experience. Two more amps and a guitar to sell and I’ll start shopping for one.
