Would you buy a bass without side dots?

[MAJOR METAL]

If you liked a bass enough, would you buy it if it didn't have side dots on the neck?

I have a German Hofner that doesn't have side dots. So far it's pushed me to lean more on my ears than eyes when playing.

 

[Polfuste]

My main bass doesn't have dots on fretboard but i still need the side ones.

 

[mikeswals]

Side dots are simple to install. You can buy material from stewmac. Or have a tech install them.
If the bass speaks to you I don't see a reason to pass it up.

 

[bholder]

Sure. 1/8 My buddy Jockomo Inlay Stickers For The Win!

Edit: Should add that they stay in place really well for most folks, but there have been a couple of exceptions here, having to do with playing style (big hands wrapping around) and body chemistry, from the sound of it. I've used them for years and they stay put very well for me. But I couldn't touch them with my left thumb from playing position if I tried...

 

[Geogio]

Double basses and classical guitars rarely have side dots. However I had a classical that did have one side dot on the 7th fret for orientation and that was helpful. I've had three fretless electric basses in the past and they all had side dots even if they were a blank fingerboard. My current fretless electric Fender has both side dots and fret lines which I didn't think I'd like but they come in handy I have to admit.

 

[Dave W]

If i liked the bass enough, sure! I'd probably get them installed though.

 

[Wyrdlow]

If I was really into the bass then, yes - but I would be adding them afterwards!

 

[godofthunder59]

My two 65-66 Hofners don't have side dots. I just used black acrylic model paint because I didn't want to mod the basses. These basses have a poly finish and the waterborne acrylic paint doesn't react with the substrate. Works great and is removable.

 

[Jazz Ad]

One of my basses went for a fretboard change and came back without side dots. I was lost. I only added a double side dot at 12th fret and I was all good from there.

 

[MattZilla]

I learned trumpet, then piano, then classical guitar, then blooz/rock/metal guitar, then bass. I never needed dots.

The dots only help musically illiterate guitarists to listen to what I’m doing with their eyes, or if I’m using an alternate tuning then the dots will confuse the heck out of them.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

My ural 510l did not come from the factory with decadent capitalist side dots. I never realized how much i look at side dots until i played it - surprisingly lost. Easy fix was dot stickers from the amazonia

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I've never seen an upright with side dots....

I have seen them with masking tape though!

(I'm sure someone will post an example...)

 

[Five or Six]

Sure would.

 

[JC BASS 91]

Side dots are simple to install. You can buy material from stewmac. Or have a tech install them.
If the bass speaks to you I don't see a reason to pass it up.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[40Hz]

Yes.

 

[themickster]

If you liked a bass enough, would you buy it if it didn't have side dots on the neck?

I have a German Hofner that doesn't have side dots. So far it's pushed me to lean more on my ears than eyes when playing.

Learning to play without looking is good. I slide up and down 12 frets at a time and need a quick look to get back to the right lower fret. My SR2600 has luminous dots, which don't show on a dim stage, so I bought stick-on dots.

 

[HardNHeavy]

as said, if it speaks to you and neck feels and sounds good, then yes. But i need them, easy to install.

 

[BobKay]

I play two different double basses with different string lengths. I installed one side marker at the 3rd position to help orient me when I first started switching between the two instruments. Don't need them now, but haven't taken them off.

I used these: https://gollihurmusic.com/stick-on-fingerboard-markers-temporary-inlays-side-dots-/

 

[ezstep]

No.

(Looks at basses and finds several without fretboard markers and one without side markers.)

Yes.

 

[Aloe]

well, I had a bass (a Korean 80s P-bass) without side dots and this didn't bug me enough to take a sharpie and mark them. in fact, old Soviet instruments also didn't have side dots, only the front ones, so I'm kinda used to this.

so, I'm not against getting a vintage instruments with no side dots. if I'll miss them, I can add them.