Quilly Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Hi All Has anyone ever played a short scale fretless? I imagine its a little less forgiving regarding intonation accuracy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Not owned short like 30 inch, but I have dabbled on various scale lengths down to 25 and do own fretless 33, 34 and 35, and db.. once you get used to any instrument your muscle memory and ear engage and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I used to have a couple of ashborys which are lined fretless and tiny - you get used to playing them. Also violin players seem to manage without frets. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledum Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 8 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: Also violin players seem to manage without frets. Good call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Quilly said: Hi All Has anyone ever played a short scale fretless? I imagine its a little less forgiving regarding intonation accuracy? I play a Rob Allen Mouse 30 and I actually find it easier than a longer scale fretless. I played fretless very occasionally and never in a band situation until I got the Mouse but now it is my main bass in band and writing situations, I never pick up a fretted bass unless playing older songs. Where are you? You are welcome to try mine out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I have a Spector CTB Fretless, 30-inch scale, which I use for noodling at home. Not had the courage to take it out yet. It's very nice and easy to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Frank Blank said: I play a Rob Allen Mouse 30 and I actually find it easier than a longer scale fretless. I played fretless very occasionally and never in a band situation until I got the Mouse but now it is my main bass in band and writing situations, I never pick up a fretted bass unless playing older songs. Where are you? You are welcome to try mine out. Hi Frank, Im in Ireland , but I saw this lovely bass online. I owned a fretless in the past and I miss it. I was looking for a shorty as I play in very small venues.https://eastwoodguitars.com/products/classic-4-fretless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I had a lined fretless 30" SWB-1 for a while and it was a really nice player in every respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 (edited) A friend of mine has small collection of no name shortscale basses of various retro designs including an unlined shortscale fretless. It did throw me a bit the first time I played it, not helped by the fact that it was my first time on a short scale bass. As on a 34" scale bass, the closer the 'frets' are together the more noticeable fretting hand intonation errors become. So I did find the shortscale a bit more unforgiving than my own 34" lined Sire fretless but I reckon it's nothing that couldn't be overcome with a bit more time spent playing that instrument. Edited January 4, 2019 by Cato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 I read up on the Eastwood bass and the dot markers are where they would be on a fretted bass (ie not on the fret lines ) this isn’t ideal at all. (Would be better off with no dot markers) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knirirr Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 14 hours ago, Quilly said: I read up on the Eastwood bass and the dot markers are where they would be on a fretted bass (ie not on the fret lines ) this isn’t ideal at all. (Would be better off with no dot markers) Thanks - I have previously tried contacting Eastwood to ask about dot marker positions on some of their fretless instruments but they couldn't be bothered to reply to me. Definitely one to avoid if the dots are positioned like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 @eude Any views on this my friend? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 9 hours ago, ead said: @eude Any views on this my friend? I play 31.5" basses, and have a couple of fretless examples. I've not really found any intonation issues to be honest. I went shorter for comfort reasons, and I guess my intonation might be better as I find the shorter scale less of a stretch allowing me to have a more natural hand position and hopefully better technique as a result. Less things to worry about means you can focus better on the tricky stuff. I wouldn't be put off trying a short scale fretless at all, you get used to whatever you play, that's what I've found anyway. I would certainly make sure your dots are on the fret lines though as mentioned above, that makes life a lot easier! Eude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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