Would you buy a bass without side dots?

[micguy]

You dont need a dot to tell you where the 3rd fret is......you shouldnt be starring at the fretboard when you play.

Generally true - I practice with my eyes closed sometimes when I think I know the music well. I’m often amazed at how well my fingers know precisely where to go. Still, there are jumps at times where seeing where you’re going is a big plus.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Yes. It is not rocket science to install side dots.

 

[Bikeguy57]

I really admire anyone who plays without looking at the neck, and when someone says they don't need side dots, I believe them. I do, however,suspect these people occasionally glance down to get their bearings, and use the dots
without realizing? If you really don't need any landmarks, I salute you. I sure as heck couldn't do it!

 

[smoothbrain]

I'm contrary.

I might get some of those dots and put them on all the positions that never have dots.

Just to be cantankerous.

LOL

 

[Bikeguy57]

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...

I use these, they work great. I wish the "pearl" dots were whiter though.

 

[chris_b]

If the bass sounded good enough, I'd make do without the side dots.

 

[groooooove]

You dont need a dot to tell you where the 3rd fret is......you shouldnt be starring at the fretboard when you play.

there's a guy named paul who plays a hofner, who regularly before starting a tune will grab the bass and tilt it up to see the fingerboard so he can find his position.

but it's just a guy named paul, nobody to be concerned about

seriously though, i don't mean this in the wrong way but... i'm definitely a competent bass player. i know my way around the instrument. can i play without looking? well, yeah sure. would i buy a bass without dots? no. only if i could add them after.

it's just a practical thing. that reassurance that you land on the right note at the right time is important.

 

[Wyrdlow]

Long story short, I accidentally discovered the perfect solution -- fishing lure stickers. I get the oval shaped ones, and fold them over the top edge of my fretboard, so they'll reflect light from any angle. They're never not visible (even with neon strings), regardless of how bad the light on stage is -- they're designed to reflect light in low light situations, and the adhesive is designed to stick in harsh environments.
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Nice one, BT! That would never have crossed my mind. I may well give those a go, but I think I'll probably punch discs out and use those. Cheers.

 

[RandomKaren]

I only play unlined fretless but voted yes, but only because I have a sheet of 3mm sticky dots.

 

[Wyrdlow]

That's why I went with FretFX.

I would LOVE to get hold of some of those! I've left a message on his website some weeks ago but I've heard nothing as yet. Fingers crossed.

 

[smo]

I just paint them on - I routinely add them to my double bass when they rub off.

 

[Dincrest]

Give me side dots, face dots, and even polka dots painted on the body and headstock. Gimme all the dots!

 

[Wyrdlow]

I absolutely would. But probably, that's because I, natural born idiot, wouldn't notice it at first and then, two weeks later, I'd be sitting there thinking "Something is weird, but I can't quite put my finger on it..."

You'd realize just as the house lights were going down at a really important gig!

 

[james condino]

Almost every upright bass made for the last 400 years has no side dots.

Worst case scenario is you pay $100 to have them installed by a competent luthier; $1 option is to use a whiteout pen.

 

[Paul New]

The side dots on my old P were getting very dim and hard to see so I stuck on some shiny adhesive dots. $-5-10.

I use a couple on my uprights too, at the octave and thumb position C.

 

[hbarcat]

I really admire anyone who plays without looking at the neck, and when someone says they don't need side dots, I believe them. I do, however,suspect these people occasionally glance down to get their bearings, and use the dots
without realizing? If you really don't need any landmarks, I salute you. I sure as heck couldn't do it!

This is probably as close to the truth as we can get. I've got about 20,000 hours of playing bass in over 35+ years and I can play most songs with my eyes closed. But certainly not all songs.

For example, I can play "Give It Away" by the RHCP flawlessly when I'm able to look at the board with markers, but take away the landmarks and I'm hopeless.

 

[mikewalker]

I play better with my eyes closed... I'm pretty sure my brain takes the unused visual cortex resources and reroutes the horsepower over to the musical art algorithms

 

[RandomKaren]

Almost every upright bass made for the last 400 years has no side dots.

Uprights have the very usable physical reference of the heel which usually gives you the 5th. On most BGs the heel is way beyond the octave.

 

[lordradish]

Sure, as long as it wasn't a fretless.

 

[faulknersj]

No.

20 years of Pavlovian response to those dots has rendered me a helpless wreck without them lol!