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Fretless basses?

egg_rollingegg_rolling Posts: 16
edited March 2004 in Musicians and Gearheads
this may be a stupid question, but.... why do they exist? aren't they difficult to play? i mean. what's the point of having a fretless bass when u can have a bass with all its frets to help u play it?

are there any advantages?

thx.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    The sound from a fretless bass is cool. Like sliding up and down the neck you don't get the fretted sound. They are harder to play as you haven't got any frets. You can get fretless basses with lines on the fretboard instead of frets but they are still difficult to play. Listen to Alone by PJ or Breath from the Singles soundtrack, Jeff's fretless playing is amazing. I think Even Flow on Ten is fretless as well.
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • egg_rollingegg_rolling Posts: 16
    thanx!! i wondered why jeff doesnt make those sounds in their new records. i think hes not using his fretless bass anymore..
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    i think he still uses his fretless, he has a Wal fretless bass. He also uses his upright bass quite alot which is fretless. On the Showbox DVD he plays the first 3 tracks using his upright.
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • casper leblanccasper leblanc Posts: 1,246
    How do you instantly know where to put your fingers to hit a note correctly without frets? I've always wondered about that...
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Loads and loads of practice! I've never played a fretless but i presume you would be virtually starting to learn bass again. I think if you don't fret it properly then the tone will be wrong. i can play in my band without having to look at the fret board but it would be difficult to do this on a fretless at first. i may be wrong here? Any fretless players about to clarfy this?
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • casper leblanccasper leblanc Posts: 1,246
    It's like a contrabass I guess, I imagine you would have to have an amazing musical feel and a very good ear. Practice, like you said.
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Yeah. a good ear is defintaley needed! I keep saying i'd invest in a fretless but i haven't got around to it. I went to a guitar show once and a company called Vigier had made a fretless guitar! It had a chrome neck and was pretty amazing! have a look at this link:

    http://www.adamjameswilson.com/instruments/vigier.html
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • casper leblanccasper leblanc Posts: 1,246
    Damn'! I'd have to learn all over again!
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Have you seen Jeff's 12 string?? it's awesome!
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    The 12 string Hamer is cool, I prefer 8 strings though for the feel 12 get's a little wide. Nice harmonics though.

    You can get fretless basses with the fretlines recessed or drawn on for you to help you learn.

    The sound is interesting the fretboard wood interacts much more enhancing the tone of the instrument. I like them alot.

    My personal Bass favorite though will most likely always be a Stingray.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    i have a Stingray. i wouldn't swap it for anything!
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Originally posted by Pacomc79
    My personal Bass favorite though will most likely always be a Stingray.

    Ah...

    Rickenbacker 4003...

    Vintage Fender Precision Bass...

    Vintage Fender Jazz Bass...

    Warwick (need I say more)...

    Hofner Viola Bass...
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Not sure about Warwicks!
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Originally posted by Stingray Matt
    Not sure about Warwicks!

    They are what they are...

    Name anything that does the Warwick sound better than Warwick.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Do you like the new Bongo bass by Music man?
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Originally posted by Stingray Matt
    Do you like the new Bongo bass by Music man?

    Rather have a Stingray.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Yeah, i know what you mean. The Bongo does look cool though.
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Originally posted by Stingray Matt
    Yeah, i know what you mean. The Bongo does look cool though.

    It looks like a Parker Fly bass, to me...

    I hate the headstock.

    But it's all subjective.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • Stingray MattStingray Matt Posts: 24
    Each to their own..
    Josh, turn these lights out, it's a fuckin rock concert...
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