What is your experience on fretless basses?

[cmcbass]

I just bought an "affordable" used 5 string that I plan on pulling the frets out of. I only play 5 string basses, and finding a cheap 5 string fretless was a challenge. I didn't want to pay too much to dip my toes in the water, so this seemed like the best option for me.

I had a fretless jazz bass years ago, but I ended up selling it before I got any good on it. Now I'm feeling the desire for a little more freedom on the fingerboard.

 

[John Stephen]

Eastwood Classic 4 Fretless
Semi/hollow 30.5” scale
View attachment 3529624

Thanks.

 

[John Stephen]

Supro makes a short scale fretless. I had one and sent it back - was not impressed.
IMO a short scale fretless is pointless.

Why do you feel a short scale fretless is pointless?

 

[bluesblaster]

It was dreamy

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’ve tried a few 5-6 string basses, never had much chance to vary as I only have a guitar center in my town and for the next 140 miles that has the same cheap Ibanez basses, but once there was a Carvin Lb70 4 string fretless that felt good despite the acorn sized truss rod nut looking kinda fragile and as a fretless it felt good and I must say my intonation was not that bad for a first time fretless user (I made sure as I have an ear for out of tune stuff)

My question is do fretless basses feel easier for some of you? Do anyone of you own any Fretless 5-6 stringed basses? Do any of you have recommendations?

I feel faster on it whilst keeping my intonation well, as well as things like tapping felt so much easier than on my fretted Geddy Lee bass (and I play in a three piece metal band so playing fast is required to keep the temp while my guitar player solos) The only six string I have been able to try was the ESP LTD B206 and B205, which felt good but could use a better setup and bridge (the ones on there have bad sustain and are kinda cheap, but some versions have Emg’s that may or may not he active along with active 3 band eq)

My experience on a fretless bass is not too good...

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Showing up in a rock band with a fretless is a great way to get fired.

This is how a simple straight 8th groove sounds:
Mwah Mwah Mwah Mwah....

I love playing fretless but there are very few contexts where it sounds right. I spent 8 years only playing a fretless, now I don't own one anymore. I remember auditioning for a band once, they told me "we fired our bassplayer because he insisted on only playing fretless, we hated it."

 

[PWRL]

I really enjoy fretless and I'd love another, I just don't have an application for one. Unlined is my favorite.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

In Modern Electric Bass, Jaco mentions practicing fretted to keep from eating up the board. As somebody with a thick epoxy job like his, I think that worry is pretty exaggerated. You will need to eventually plane the board anyway so play what you enjoy.

Cool. My paraphrased Jaco quote didn’t come from Modern Electric Bass video... I’m not sure where I remember reading about his practicing fretted to help his fretless playing, but he definitely mentioned keeping his muscle memory sharp by practicing fretted bass.

I’ve followed Jaco’s advice on practicing “fretless by playing fretted”.... and at least for me it holds absolutely true.

Playing fretted bass also allows you to “preserve” your fretless fingerboard longer, of course!

 

[IamGroot]

Fretless bass is not that hard, if you have good hand technique to start with. I did a lot of modal scale practice work.

If you have crappy technique., you are doomed.

 

[Epitaph04]

My experience with fretless is that I’m pretty bad at it, but I love it and it’s very fun. My ear isnt that great and I feel that hinders my fretless playing substantially. I am getting better though. Flying around an unlined neck is worthwhile and can be very rewarding especially if you like the sound.

 

[Eric Huber]

Got 2 of them myself. Squire Jazz and PBass. I really enjoy playing both. Interestingly enough I usually start out on a fretless and end up with the Lakeland which is fretted. I bought both fretless used and I play them regularly. Nothing beats my Lakeland. I believe fretless makes me slow down just a bit and concentrate more to get the note right. The fretless ones make a wonderful tone that you have to work harder to get out of the fretted one.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

My first bass was a fretless. I prefer fretted.

 

[Ed Goode]

I play fretless almost exclusively ... all of these basses get gigged regularly

FBB 7

FBB 6

Brice 5

Parts bass 4

 

[thetragichero]

recently defretted a neck for my p. i feel like for fast riffy stuff i play better because I'm not tripping over frets
the mwah sound is dope too

 

[rutrho]

I have two, they're all I played for the past year. I mean, my last band was a thrash metal band and they do fine in rock/metal settings. You can also control how much muwaaaaaaahhh you get on all your notes depending on your attack and how you fret the strings. I took to fretless playing right way and I like the extra control and tonal options that I have access to.

 

[Sam Evans]

I'm playing upright or fretless electric 99% of the time these days. I won't go so far as to say that one can do "everything" on a fretless - I think there are times when a fretted bass is definitely called for - but for my actual gigging (jazz, pretty traditional stuff) and preferences (I just prefer the feel and sound), fretless is the way to go.

 

[DavC]

i play and sing ... keeping both voice /fingers in tune hurt my brain ...

 

[wraub]

I played only fretless for over 6 years, in any and every band that would have me.
Good times in abundance.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Being fast on a fretless won't be an issue, being accurate might. Intonation is tricker on a fretless.

Also, playing extreme metal or any music that requires playing a lot of notes would be much harder because of a) what I mentioned above, b) fretless basses have slower attacks. That being said, it can be done successfully. Listen to the "Death" album "Individual Thought Patterns", one of my favorite albums.

 

[basspraiser]

[QUOTE="Frenchy-Lefty, post: 23036065, member: 153452]

This is how a simple straight 8th groove sounds:
Mwah Mwah Mwah Mwah....
"[/QUOTE]

I disagree.

I consider myself a mediocre bassist at best but I can make a fretless sound like a fretted bass when I need to.... And throw in some nice mwah when the song needs it.

If I can do it I would think most people (with greater talent than yours truly) can as well

To answer the OPs initial question... Yes I do find playing a fretless more "freeing" and different... In a good way.

It does take more practice and more effort but I think it's well worth it.

Granted ... At least for me slapping etc is out with a fretless... But I stink at that even with frets!

I currently have 3 fretless fivers in my collection (all very different basses) and love them all...I also have an EUB and a DB but I don't count those " fretless basses" per se.

As for recommendations... Look for a fretless Lakland 5502...lots of variability in the sound profile and ( imho) the best feeling fiver neck in the industry.

There aren't many out there but I know Lakland will install a fretless neck on any of their basses... Even if purchased used.