Fretless Sound

[bass_in_ya_face]

I've just recieved my new Harley Benton fretless.

Having never tried a fretless before, I can only get that that trademark "mwah" sound on the D & G strings. E & A don't really sound any different than a normal fretted bass.

Is that correct or shoud I be getting a fretless sound across all 4 strings?

Would a change from the roundwound strings improve the sound?

[wateroftyne]

Has it had a proper setup?

It's essential on any bass, moreso a fretless.

[bass_ferret]

What he said - if the action is too high you dont get the Mwah. It cound also be the strings or the bass itself. So first get it set up and if that does not work change the strings - there is a big thread pinned about strings for fretless.

The only way I dont get mwah on my GB is playing open strings - but it did cost rather more than yours.

[BB2000]

Don't change the strings, you probably need to lower the action on the E and A. Garry Willis's website has a nice page on correctly setting up a fretless (or fretted) bass.

[bass_in_ya_face]

Ok thanks guys..i'll try lowering the action.

It is possible for it to sound better as there is a guy on Youtube playing the 5 stringer.

[bass_in_ya_face]

[quote name='BB2000' post='56352' date='Sep 6 2007, 09:01 AM']Don't change the strings, you probably need to lower the action on the E and A. Garry Willis's website has a nice page on correctly setting up a fretless (or fretted) bass.[/quote]


Do you have a link?

[GreeneKing]

I find that lowering the action produces the Mwaah but too much and it 'chokes' the string.

Even with the above I've found that every fretless I've owned has more Mwaah on the lighter gauge strings and that the B on a 5 is pretty much Mwaahless

[Bass_Junkie]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='56388' date='Sep 6 2007, 10:17 AM']I find that lowering the action produces the Mwaah but too much and it 'chokes' the string.

Even with the above I've found that every fretless I've owned has more Mwaah on the lighter gauge strings and that the B on a 5 is pretty much Mwaahless [/quote]


well i once heard that lowering/raising your action is the key for getting more/less mwah, so mabey yours is too low?

[bass_in_ya_face]

Well i've never adjusted the action before but one of my best mates is a life long guitarist and has loads of experience messing around with string heights and truss rods etc so i am going to run it by him.

Maybe I'm expecting too much from an entry level fretless, especially as i've gown up listening to Mick Karn and Percy Jones on their WAL's!

I just wasn't sure weather the E & A should be sounding like they do...ie like a fretted?

Edited September 6, 2007 by bass_in_ya_face

[GreeneKing]

[quote]well i once heard that lowering/raising your action is the key for getting more/less mwah, so mabey yours is too low?[/quote]

I suspect that given my post I mighta noticed

I also know of a luthier who's not keen to make fretless 5 stringers for this same reason.

Which is why my fretless is a 4.

Edited September 6, 2007 by GreeneKing

[Soulfinger]

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face' post='56421' date='Sep 6 2007, 12:26 PM']Well i've never adjusted the action before but one of my best mates is a life long guitarist and has loads of experience messing around with string heights and truss rods etc so i am going to run it by him.[/quote]

Do yourself a favour and teach yourself how to set up your gear yourself.

It´s not rocket science and will come in handy in the future.

Here´s the Willis link BTW:

[url="http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html[/url]

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face' post='56421' date='Sep 6 2007, 12:26 PM']I just wasn't sure weather the E & A should be sounding like they do...ie like a fretted?[/quote]

You should get "mwaah" on all strings (unless played open as mentioned before). Before you start tinkering with the setup, I´d recommend you put a set of quality strings on your bass - good strings can make a lot of difference. I personally like nickel-plated roundwounds like Fender 7250s and D´Addario XLs for fretless.

[Alien]

[quote name='Soulfinger' post='56539' date='Sep 6 2007, 02:40 PM']You should get "mwaah" on all strings (unless played open as mentioned before).[/quote]

If your nut's cut right (ie with the strings sitting on the end of the fingerboard) you should be able to get the 'mwah' on open strings too.

Andy

[bass_in_ya_face]

I changed the strings over for some Rotosound nylon strings last night (which has improved it slighty)

[bass_ferret]

Not for Mwah. Generally flats and nylons give more of an upright sound. Mwah is the sound of rounds or half rounds on a fretless although some flats do it as well (e.g. TI Jazz). As its a cheapish bass and probably not the hardest fingerboard I would try Status Hotwire halfs, I love em.