How do you feel about using dots and frets like on most basses? That must be approaching autoharp level cheating…
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What dots on the side for fretless ?
- Thread starter pabloramone
- Start date
As a Double Bass player, what I've experienced is that it's much easier to play in tune, on a vertically oriented Double Bass neck that has a curved fingerboard. Once you change the orientation to a flat, horizontally oriented, Fretless Bass neck, I'm more comfortable sight reading on a fretless bass with lines . Just my take of course. Dot's aren't something I ever used, while I understand their intended purpose my Double Basses never had them. I have seen ones that do, but their just pretty little ornaments.
I saw Edgar Meyer the other night. At one point before a solo he spent a few minutes moving his bass around within the spotlight.
He then told the audience it was so he could properly see the dots on his fingerboard.
But hey what does he know.
- Jul 7, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
I would have mine dots at the fret lines only. that way I could reference and get used to it. Then later get a real fretless.
I've only been playing blank board, dots on side for 3 weeks now, lined fretless (dots in wrong place) a little over 8 months before that. I noticed something interesting today about the dots. When you look at the dots at 1 and 3 near the nut but are playing the higher strings the view is distorted, to the point that the dots are useless. Of course I'd noticed that effect at the other end of the board, in upper area of higher register, but up there you use ears 95% anyway.
A lined fretless is a real fretless. Your fingers do not know the difference between that and a blank board.
I with my fretless had stacked double dots at the 12th position rather than dots side by side. Stacked (over/under) dots would help with estimating the 10, 11, 13 & 14 fret positions.
Just like how the original Fender Pracision factory fretless where dots on the side aligned to where frets 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19 are, not in the middle. If you get an AllParts unlined Ebony , that's how they are. Simple , not much of a crutch and frankly just to check intonation, relief and action setup and good for learning to play in tune. No not cheating.... just right. I'd rather play in tune tahn pretend how great I am because I have no dots.
tks all, I'll try if can ask my luthier to do as Fender Precision factory. dots on the side aligned to where frets 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19. I'll tell you. and send photos of course
- Jul 7, 2010
- 3,383
- 2,311
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
I never said it wasn't. What I was getting at is use the dots to get used to no fretlines so that in the future if you wanted to not have any markers you can make it an easier transition. I have played both and enjoyed the transition myself.
“Pretending I’m great” isn’t why I prefer no dots. I’ve tried both and I realise I play better when I don’t look at the finger board. Simple as that.
I can't imagine why anyone would want no markers, but I see your point. One thing to consider though, if you are playing Sixers, lines could be very useful, especially if you play fast, complex passages or lots of chords.
This is true. I too play better when I don't look, at least for short periods. Sustaining it, well that's another matter.
If you are accustomed to playing with lines, you may prefer small side dots on the notes with larger dots on the notes at 3,5,7,9,12,etc.
Any markings should be on the notes.
