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What dots on the side for fretless ?

#41
Well, today I'm finding that the dots in wrong places on my SR370EF are screwing me up. I don't know why it's different today than the last time I played this bass, but it is messing with my eyes and confusing me. If I don't look I can play it fine but when I look my mind goes "what?"

Anyway, I switched to the Sire P5R and no problem playing that, since it's fretted. Tomorrow I'll go back to the Sadowsky MX fretless blank board. Seems that's my "homey" fretless now.
 
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#44
BassicJazzy said:
I'd like to see a pic of that?
Click to expand...
Dean Mark IV fretless active bass....

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#46
BassicJazzy said:
It must be the angle, but something seems off stars, last pic, in the 7-9-12 intervals?

I assume your side dots are not in the right place for fretless, are in the typical fretted bass position.
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Could be the angle. I did quick pics - sorry. The side dots are where they "should" be....yes. Based on that, and the sound I got putting my finger down in intervals, I put the stickers on. Not a scientific process by any means. I don't gig this bass but yes, you'd think I'd have the stars in the correct places!
I do wish I had a fretless neck with filled lines and normal dots like I've seen......
 
#50
Danny O Danny said:
My favorite approach is an unlined fingerboard with dots on the side in the same location as they would be on a fretted bass, but also lines on the side where the actual notes are (where the frets would be). This is what Ibanez does on their SRF700 fretless (which is what I currently play). I used to have a Sandberg fretless where I had them do it this way on the neck also.

View attachment 7479920View attachment 7479921
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The more I play fretless the more I realize this is the best approach for someone coming from fretted. Gives you a relatable marker but then also means you rely on your ear to actually get the note.

Lined is great too, but how you produce the note changes depending on which finger you use, slight variations in intonation etc. So you need to learn how to use them just as guides anyways.
 
#51
nonohmic said:
The more I play fretless the more I realize this is the best approach for someone coming from fretted. Gives you a relatable marker but then also means you rely on your ear to actually get the note.

Lined is great too, but how you produce the note changes depending on which finger you use, slight variations in intonation etc. So you need to learn how to use them just as guides anyways.
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I agree with you as stated, for transitioning from fretted to fretless, but I think after you get comfortable lines get in the way. Better to just have dots on the side, in fretless position at the key intervals, as already discussed.
 
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#52
In my case, I sing lead as well as play fretless. That's challenging on multiple levels. So the side lines give me a little extra help for those times when my ear is maybe focused more on what I'm doing with my vocal rather than on the bass. But even on gigs where I'm not singing, I like the combo of side lines with an unlined fingerboard.

It's already been beaten to death (repeatedly), but there are a lot of great fretless players who use lined fingerboards (Gary Willis, Mark Egan, Steve Lawson, Mick Karn, Jaco, Bill Wyman, etc.) as well as many greats who use unlined (Pino, Percy Jones, Michael Manring, Boz Burrell, etc.). There is no "right" choice. It comes down to what works best for each individual. After many years of trying out various options, I figured out what works best *for me*. Other's mileage may vary. ;)
 
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#53
Danny O Danny said:
I my case, I sing lead as well as play fretless. That's challenging on multiple levels. So the side lines give me a little extra help for those times when my ear is maybe focused more on what I'm doing with my vocal rather than on the bass. But even on gigs where I'm not singing, I like the combo of side lines with an unlined fingerboard.

It's already been beaten to death (repeatedly), but there are a lot of great fretless players who use lined fingerboards (Gary Willis, Mark Egan, Steve Lawson, Mick Karn, Jaco, Bill Wyman, etc.) as well as many greats who use unlined (Pino, Percy Jones, Michael Manring, Boz Burrell, etc.). There is no "right" choice. It comes down to what works best for each individual. After many years of trying out various options, I figured out what works best *for me*. Other's mileage may vary. ;)
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I see your point. I can also see an argument if you play fretless in a loud band. Additional navigation aids are your friends in those situations.

Not to beat this point further, but there are lines and then there are lines. Some of the lines used by the aforementioned are of the ghost variety, barely visible. They are unobtrusive and don't detract, but can be referenced if needed.

Anyway, you are totally correct that it is a matter of individual choice. Whatever works.

No way I could sing and play fretless, BTW. Maybe a simple baseline on a fretted, maybe not even that. Squire used to sing descending harmony lines as he was ascending his bass lines, with altered scales. Whew! My ape brain could never manage that.
 
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#55
BassicJazzy said:
It must be the angle, but something seems off stars, last pic, in the 7-9-12 intervals?

I assume your side dots are not in the right place for fretless, are in the typical fretted bass position.
Click to expand...
I just picked up another fretless and the seller said he didn't like the neck due to the side dot placement. The top is just wood (no dots/lines). I have to figure out if the side dots are in the fretted bass position or are wrong......oh, I knew there was going to be drama with fretless!
 
#56
BassHole1 said:
I just picked up another fretless and the seller said he didn't like the neck due to the side dot placement. The top is just wood (no dots/lines). I have to figure out if the side dots are in the fretted bass position or are wrong......oh, I knew there was going to be drama with fretless!
Click to expand...
Well that's pretty easy to do, just tune the open E and go up the string, one semitone at a time, see where the dots land. Should be at 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12. If any doubt, use your tuner to check notes.
 
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#59
Intonation on the passive P bass is fine. The dots are the right notes. 5th dot = A on the E string. Dots on 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, etc. I wish it had dots on 1 and 10. I will probably add dots on those. But the dot is the actual note. I didn't check the Dean active fretless. Hoping tomorrow after my gig.......
 
#60
BassHole1 said:
Intonation on the passive P bass is fine. The dots are the right notes. 5th dot = A on the E string. Dots on 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, etc. I wish it had dots on 1 and 10. I will probably add dots on those. But the dot is the actual note. I didn't check the Dean active fretless. Hoping tomorrow after my gig.......
Click to expand...
I have a dot at 1 on my Sadowsky MX fretless. It's helpful, since that is a large interval. I'd skip the dot at 10, you don't need it. Takes a little time but subdividing that interval comes naturally, pretty quickly.
 

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