What complications did you not expect when going fretless?

[Jeff Scott]

One can try to rely on lines, dots, and/or "muscle memory." However, these are no guarantee when you cannot see visual cues (lights too dim or bright)...

Whenever I gig with a fretless I bring one of these and someone who knows how to use it. I never have a problem not seeing!

 

[bass62]

It's been awhile since I dug it out, and I miss it, but it can be impractical and yet I would never sell it. For me it was best in small group situations where I can hear everything clearly. And as a singer I prefer not to have sing too much and just play fretless. Fret markings were totally useless to me, as you had to adjust for each note most times anyway (subtle adjustments). Though I have used it for some blues and reggae gigs, the fretted attack is very different and necessary for most work. The standalone expression on fretless is unbeatable. Special thank you to Jaco, if not for him we wouldn't be even talking about this...

 

[Jeff Scott]

Special thank you to Percy Jones, if not for him we wouldn't be even talking about this...

 

[zontar]

Unexpected consequences? I virtually stopped playing fretted basses.

Not really any complications for me--other than maybe this.
Frets on a bass feel weird to me now.
(Although I still own & do play my fretted bass--just not that often)

 

[Manuel Bass]

At first, you may be tempted to learn fretless watching the fingerboard and relying on finger positions. You must eventually begin using your ears to make sure your notes are properly intonated. Audience doesn't want to see a bassist staring at their fingerboard during a show. You really have no choice as the lighting of venues are usually low.

Jaco looked the fingerboard all the time ,result: perfec tuning and I recommend to use a lined fingerboard
Finally you only have to be careful with two things: tuning and tuning
Good luck

 

[India_Sierra]

Original board and the dots were removed when it was de-fretted in the '70s

Yep, if you view the picture on a large monitor you can see the old dots and where they were filled. Super cool looking bass btw, I bet it sounds fantastic. Even all these years later, Jaco still had one of the best fretless bass tones around.

 

[KohanMike]

I had one fretless out of about 10 fretted at the time. I found it difficult using the fretless on the imbedded fret lines when I was so used to being in between the frets. I gave up and shelved it.