Why are lined Fretless even a thing?

[citizenchris099]

This is a sincere question and I felt it was related to technique hence why I posted here. Apologies if this isn't the correct forum.

So the only possible reason I can see for putting "fret" lines on a fretless is for people who literally stare or look at their fretboard while playing(?)
Do that many people do this while playing?

I'm told I play with my bass fairly high. My strap from button hole to button hole is 42".
I can only see the side of my neck while playing and If I try I can see a semi angled view of the frets from 12 up.
My point being I can't even really see my frets or theoretical lines if I were to play that sort of fretless. Is this abnormal?

I will say that I find playing fretless based on position dot markers (which my wife a Celist says is a bit of cheating lol) effortless. Lines would only distract me.
I find it espeically odd that relatively mainstream Bass personalities such as Scott Devine espouse the virtues of fret lines.

Anyhoo...rant over.

 

[Gorn]

It's a visual reference meant to be glanced at. No one says you have to stare at the lines. Fretted or fretless, the best bass players in the world regularly look at their frets or fingerboard. Sometimes they even stare.

 

[CatchaCuda]

visual reference

Well done, good sir! End of thread, who wants to go grab lunch?

 

[JRA]

Lines would only distract me.

me too! i've tried lined axes but they look 'confusing' to me...i don't play fretted axes so i don't want "where the frets would be!"

but lots of folks play with lines: and manufacturers seem to want to go with the herd --- nothing new there. i'm thinking that in the future it might be difficult to get an unlined EB board/neck from the majors.

this has been cussed/discussed at length in this joint: every individual likes their own preferences and defends their preferences vigorously --- whatever i like = the best for everyone!

also: i agree with your wife! also: i don't mind the cheating, so there's that.

 

[JRA]

End of thread, who wants to go grab lunch?

 

[James Collins]

The obvious answer is demand.

 

[ClusterFlux]

So the only possible reason I can see for putting "fret" lines on a fretless is for people who literally stare or look at their fretboard while playing(?)
Do that many people do this while playing?

You don't have to stare at the fingerboard the whole time for a lined fretless to be beneficial. It's helpful even if you are just looking occasionally.

Your position doesn't sound typical to me.

I prefer lined, though I am currently surviving with dots on my EUB. As to cheating... who cares? If lines or dots improves someone's intonation, then I'm all for it.

 

[citizenchris099]

Well done, good sir! End of thread, who wants to go grab lunch?

A tad early for lunch.

You don't have to stare at the fingerboard the whole time for a lined fretless to be beneficial. It's helpful even if you are just looking occasionally.

Your position doesn't sound typical to me.

I prefer lined, though I am currently surviving with dots on my EUB. As to cheating... who cares? If lines or dots improves someone's intonation, then I'm all for it.

this is fundamentally the sort of take I was looking for. So my playing position seems unusual. I can dig that. I genuinely would have to try to see my fingerboard. By tilting my bass or some such business. Back straight shoulders back...I'm not going to see my fingerboard.

But yeah...demand....people looking at their fingerboard...different strokes yada yada. I get it.

thanks guys.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It's nice to have then to give you a rough guide. The more play okay it, the less you need them.

Try playing your fretted bass in total darkness. You'll find out how the visual aids can help...

 

[Gorn]

Years ago I was all in with an unlined fretless. I thought I got pretty good. Then I listened to a recording of myself and realized I wasn't. I wouldn't be surprised if the same happened for a lot of unlined fretless players that argue against lines.

 

[overit]

oh my gosh - he's looking at his fingerboard! but look at those sparks coming off his right hand.

 

[woodyng2]

In my case, i have a Lined fingerboard due to defretting. I suppose i could have spent a LOT more money to completely replace the board with a new piece of wood.....
While playing, I even look at my fretted fretboards pretty regularly. (Glance,

not stare.)
It’s probably a bad habit, but at this point in my life, it’s not a habit that’s going to be changed.

 

[citizenchris099]

oh my gosh - he's looking at his fingerboard! but look at those sparks coming off his right hand.

View attachment 3858400

Nice.

In my case, i have a Lined fingerboard due to defretting. I suppose i could have spent a LOT more money to completely replace the board with a new piece of wood.....
While playing, I even look at my fretted fretboards pretty regularly. (Glance, View attachment 3858398 not stare.)
It’s probably a bad habit, but at this point in my life, it’s not a habit that’s going to be changed.

Beautiful bass. What Make/Model if you don't mind me asking?

 

[overit]

I remember Steve Lawson commenting on lines for live performance. Something to the effect, “when you can’t always hear yourself” they Can serve as a reference also.

Both my Fretless are unlined. Other than the dots, Sometimes the grain in the wood can serve As a reference when needed.

 

[sonojono]

To help noobies like me learn how to intonate properly. Why you hating on the lines bro?

 

[Afc70]

I prefer lined fretless basses- especially when playing chords.. I have a lined Roscoe fretless 5 string & I love the look of it.. As far as looking at the neck while playing , Gary Willis, Alain Caron, Pino Palladino, Michael Manring, & many top pro bass players look at the neck while playing, so I’m in good company.

 

[TheReceder]

Long story... Sorry. I had the same bass for years... Just one... a guitarist was all paranoid that my one bass would die and I didn't have a backup... even though the bass never failed me in 40 years. So I paid close to nothing for White peavey foundation. He was thrilled, but made a point that it was "only" a peavey. The next week I saw the same bass (only in black)at an auction and I payed 75 bucks... showed up to practice and the guitarist gave me this weird look and couldn't figure out that it was a different bass... I smiled and hatched my evil plan... That was the day that I became... A peavey Junkie.

I kept my eyes peeled for foundations... Mind you.. I have relatives in Denver, Phoenix, and Tampa.

My next bass... a Black fretless Lined peavey Foundation... bought by my sister in Tampa.

The next practice... I played as sloppy a fretless as I could... sliding all over the place... His response... Oh... I didn't know that was a fretless..

I have to thank that guitarist... and my wife wants hire a hitman to kill him. I went from one bass over 40+years to a room full...Now she asks if there are basses in all those cases... I leave one case empty just so I can honestly answer nope.

Those lines on that Fretless made my life a little better. Since then I think I've gone through at least 20 Peaveys and probably donated 5 to young players

 

[Killing Floor]

This again? Glad someone finally posted a pic of Jaco. I'll take the bullet for you @citizenchris099
Many fretless basses have lines. Mine do not. I had a de-fretted neck once.
My violin instructor in first grade insisted we not look at the hand position when playing. So did my cello teacher in 5th grade. So did my piano teacher. So did my bass teacher and my guitar teacher. But some electric bassists have different opinions.
It's been pointed out to me not to criticize lined fretless basses. I stick to my guns that all other "fretless" or slide instruments of any category are essentially "forbidden" from visual markers (trombone, viola, double bass...) but it has also been brought to my attention that bass guitar is exclusive. So I'd say if your bass has lines so be it, don't get in the habit of looking becasue watching your position instead of listening and feeling is incorrect in non-bass guitar instruments, still up for discussion if it is proper technique for bass guitar. Bring the heat, you know I'm right.

 

[Low Down Brown]

Bass personalities such as Scott Devine espouse the virtues of fret lines.

He's a bass instructor, so it kind of makes sense why he would recommend lined fretless to students. Moving over to fretless can be a challenge even to skilled players, so I could see how beginners or even intermediate players would benefit from "cheating". I went from DB to fretless, and all of the fretless basses I used were lined. Not that I really needed them since I was coming from DB, but I did begin to appreciate them more when the mix was less than stellar. I knew that I would be in tune....well, hopefully anyways

However, I am curious about the 'raw' ebony fretless boards like what's on the Fender Tony Franklin. I've heard that is what really makes that bass sing like an upright.

 

[FatStringer52]

Why are lined Fretless even a thing?

First of all, if your (not you specifically, but all fretless players) intonation is spot on and you don't ever look at your fingerboard, then why does it matter if there are lines or not?

Secondly, if a specific instrument you (anyone) want is only available with a lined fingerboard, would that keep you from purchasing the instrument?