lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I getting fretless GAS again - possibly a Thumb BO 4 string 😝 I don't see many discussions about the wonders of the fretless world though - is that because most people don't have one or play one, and why is that? Have you tried and not gelled with it, or never felt the desire, or is there a whole underground club of fretless players (the first rule of the fretless club is never...)? Maybe I should just take the plunge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I've also found myself hankering for a fretless of late. Just when I thought I was all GAS free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1429642168' post='2753597'] I've also found myself hankering for a fretless of late. Just when I thought I was all GAS free [/quote] Must be something in the water! Any particular groove-tonka catch your eye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikenbass Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) My Ibanez SR370 lined fretless is one of the best basses I've ever owned/played. Slim neck, great sound, not heavy. It can be played 'straight' or played with 'mwha', highly recommended, imo. I was told the model was discontinued, but I think a few of them are around new and at a good price. edit. can be found here; [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ibanez-sr370-bass-guitar-brown-burst.html"]http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ibanez-sr370-bass-guitar-brown-burst.html[/url] Edited April 21, 2015 by Bikenbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='Bikenbass' timestamp='1429642304' post='2753603'] My Ibanez SR370 lined fretless is one of the best basses I've ever owned/played. Slim neck, great sound, not heavy. It can be played 'straight' or played with 'mwha', highly recommended, imo. I was told the model was discontinued, but I think a few of them are around new and at a good price. [/quote] Do you know what the '900 is like - looks sweet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikenbass Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1429642370' post='2753605'] Do you know what the '900 is like - looks sweet? [/quote] No sorry. If they only made a lined 5 string! Oh god, gas is sooo bad in many ways. If you find yourself over in East Anglia, you are welcome to try my bass. Hoping to get to the Herts Bass Bash in June. Oh cr@p, they do!!!! [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/ibanez-sr375f-bbt-brown-burst/94838?gclid=CJGOlcaLiMUCFTCWtAodNyQAqg"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/ibanez-sr375f-bbt-brown-burst/94838?gclid=CJGOlcaLiMUCFTCWtAodNyQAqg[/url] Edited April 21, 2015 by Bikenbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Fretless.. just go for it! You'll either never look back or not take to it, but at least you'll know. Me? Played a fretless first, and I'm still in love! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Fretless rules. I was lucky enough to be able to pick up a Rob Allen MB2 last year, the latest in a line of fretless basses I have owned. I find I just prefer playing without frets (although I do still play them) and if you lay back on the vibrato and sliding there's very little a fretless can't do, even slapping (check out Pino's slap moments on Come Back And Stay). They also fit many, many genres. Rock is often where some folks think it shouldn't work, but check out Boz Burrell's playing with Bad Co; sounds perfect to me. In short - do it. We don't need no stinking frets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1429643064' post='2753612'] Fretless.. just go for it! You'll either never look back or not take to it, but at least you'll know. Me? Played a fretless first, and I'm still in love! :-) [/quote] What are you playing? Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1429643735' post='2753623'] Fretless rules. I was lucky enough to be able to pick up a Rob Allen MB2 last year, the latest in a line of fretless basses I have owned. I find I just prefer playing without frets (although I do still play them) and if you lay back on the vibrato and sliding there's very little a fretless can't do, even slapping (check out Pino's slap moments on Come Back And Stay). They also fit many, many genres. Rock is often where some folks think it shouldn't work, but check out Boz Burrell's playing with Bad Co; sounds perfect to me. In short - do it. We don't need no stinking frets [/quote] Wow - great info, I'll check them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I play fretted and fretless but Intend to gravitate to fretless most of the time. It really suits the kind of melancholic jazz I like to play. Just more expressive than fretted. I've just discovered Labella flats as well and they have just taken my overwater from stunning to unbelievably brilliant. Just don't start a discussion on lined or unlined boards. Oh dear, i mentioned it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1429644550' post='2753640'] I play fretted and fretless but Intend to gravitate to fretless most of the time. It really suits the kind of melancholic jazz I like to play. Just more expressive than fretted. I've just discovered Labella flats as well and they have just taken my overwater from stunning to unbelievably brilliant. Just don't start a discussion on lined or unlined boards. Oh dear, i mentioned it. [/quote] Unlined surely - if only for the look of the thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Big thumbs up for fretless here also....I just love it. Regarding the Thumb your instincts are guiding you in the right direction, my unlined Warwick Corvette growls and bites like a Tyrannosaurus Rex....and sings like a songbird. Warwick do fretless basses very well indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) I adore playing fretless. I would say go for it. As already said, you will either take to it or find its not for you. For me it's boils down to two things, your technique and your ear. If your technique/muscle memory is very good and you can place you fretting hand pretty much spot on every time, then that's half the battle. If you have a very good ear, then you will then be able to make the minor adjustments to improve which in turn will improve your muscle memory. When I first started playing bass, I got a fretless and I could not play for toffee. Everything was out of tune and all over the shop. Twenty years of playing later, tried again and it was no different than playing a fretted. Ended up just playing fretless all the time. Twenty years of technique and muscle memory paid off. I will also add that being comfortable with a neck makes a difference. My Warwick it so easy to play and I can hit the notes right first time. My ESP Jazz is nearly the same. However, a had a fretless stingray and it was a real slog to hit the notes on the first fret perfectly. This in turn would mean my hand would be in the wrong position for other notes. I was always having to adjust to be in tune. These are my current two fretless basses. A Warwick Streamer Jazzman and an ESP 400 Series Jazz. I am still on the hunt for my dream fretless so the Warwick might be for sale at some point. I do love it so I may just keep it and get another fretless [URL=http://s85.photobucket.com/user/Linus27uk/media/Bass/P1020242_zps2de013b2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k46/Linus27uk/Bass/P1020242_zps2de013b2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s85.photobucket.com/user/Linus27uk/media/Bass/P1010508_zpsb6e7e5de.jpg.html][IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k46/Linus27uk/Bass/P1010508_zpsb6e7e5de.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Edited April 21, 2015 by Linus27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 I think my muscle memory would be ok - I'm even more sold on the idea now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1429645606' post='2753665'] I think my muscle memory would be ok - I'm even more sold on the idea now [/quote] Do it then. I put it off for too long and regretted not doing it sooner. You could start cheap and buy a Squire Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz and then flog it for something better if you find it is for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1429644652' post='2753643'] Unlined surely - if only for the look of the thing? [/quote]No lesser fretless players than Gary Willis and Scott Devine would argue that. Mine have all been lined, not by design, it just worked out that way and I don't mind them at all. Tone and feel first, aesthetics later (this assumes intonation isn't an issue) IMO. [quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1429645221' post='2753657'] [URL=http://s85.photobucket.com/user/Linus27uk/media/Bass/P1020242_zps2de013b2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k46/Linus27uk/Bass/P1020242_zps2de013b2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/quote]That's gorgeous! Here's my MB2 [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/P1090185_zpsb22857ab.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 Are they rotosound 88's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 LaBella 760Ns This is my Ibby GWB35 with LaBella flatwounds [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/488cb0b0c876534467fbbfbb91caa50d_zpsa8656627.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1429646844' post='2753688'] LaBella 760Ns This is my Ibby GWB35 with LaBella flatwounds [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/488cb0b0c876534467fbbfbb91caa50d_zpsa8656627.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] I like the dots - subtle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 JFDI, I have a few fretless basses and it's a different dimenion completely to bass playing. The black ACG f/s in my sig is being replaced by the 5er.... [attachment=190211:ACG final 221212 04.jpg] [attachment=190212:20150211 Final.jpg] [attachment=190213:ACG Graft J Type G019 01.jpg] [attachment=190215:3PFL5 01.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Listen to Pearl Jam "ten". That completely sold me on the idea of a fretless thirteen years ago and its been the only bass i've owned constantly since. Buy a cheap one first and invest in decent strings is my advice. I got a fretless Kramer from Musicyo for my 18th which was a massive gamble, I was playing in a decent hard-rock three piece and it brought a whole new dimension to mine, and the whole band's, sound. And if your band situation doesn't warrant much fretless then don't "mwah" it quite so much and turn off the chorus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1429642283' post='2753600'] Must be something in the water! Any particular groove-tonka catch your eye? [/quote] Well at the weekend I decided it had to be a Wal I actually have a very nice fretted P bass here, that I put together a couple of years back. I'm not gigging it these days, so what I'm thinking is, get myself a fretless neck for it. That way it won't be a costly exercise and if I don't get on with it, I can just swap the necks back and sell the fretless one again. If I do get on with the whole fretless thing, then it will be back to plan A and find a Wal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I just got a fretless, after thirty years without. Like coming back home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Just got back to playing electric fretless for a little recording after more or less abandoning guitar in favour of upright for the last five years. What a pleasure! I'd forgotten how effortless it can be. Had lots of fun grunging up the sound with valve too, getting away from the usual. Great effect. Mwah with grunt. Oh go for it. I find frets feel just plain nasty. The only thing the've got going for them imo is that it's easier to leap about playing fretted. Anyone remember the way Mick Karn used to slide about like he was on rails? Only way of playing a fretless in tune while moving, I reckon. As for lines, you'll be glad you have them when you have to record and there's no time for messing up on intonation. Get one! Get two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.