Half fretless...

[BassIsPrettyCool]

I have an old Squier P-bass and I was thinking about maybe making it half fretless. That is, removing the frets from 12 to 20. I was just wondering if anyone in here has ever tried or played a bass that was like this. Also, I feel like it might be a really stupid idea and might not work for some reason. Would the bass function properly if I did this? It wouldn't buzz or anything would it? Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

[Bass_swede]

Only do it if you want a full fretless aswell, in that case you can remove all if youre not satisfied.

[ShetaN bRaT]

I haven't played one, but I've seen it. I'm sure they work fine. It's not too uncommon. But kinda ... pointless.

[WHoRRID]

if u have a nother bass and are willing to go full fretless if it fails then maybe u could do this, but idont see the point in half fretless basses. seems like all ur doing in taking away point of having a fretless to begin with if u leave half the board fretted. but thats all up to u.

ohand ud have to keep your action up higher than normal on fretless since u have to remain above those frets

[godzillarator]

^^not really as the fretless when pushed down woudl be fine, and no frets cant cause fret buzz

[Thonk]

I think the fretboard will have to be level to the frets...I'm not really sure though.

Check out the Frettedless bass to see what i'm talking about.

[godzillarator]

i dont know why it would

[White_Summer]

my friend once tried to tell me Dimebag played a half frettless guitar i told him he was on crack /random

[Pastorius]

Ummmmmm, the pickups aren't going to pick up any noise beyond your finger.

The strings could be playing Yankee Doodle beyond your fretting finger, but it ain't gonna come through that amp...

[Vanhalen234]

That would be pretty cool to play and all, but you would need to bring it into a shop to have the shimrod checked out on it first. They can adjust it for you and it'll be fine.

[EADG]

Ummmmmm, the pickups aren't going to pick up any noise beyond your finger.

The strings could be playing Yankee Doodle beyond your fretting finger, but it ain't gonna come through that amp...


What are you talking about? Half-fretless basses work fine.

[WHoRRID]

^^not really as the fretless when pushed down woudl be fine, and no frets cant cause fret buzz

i was refering to the fact that u have to have clearance over the frets, where as if it were fully fretless u could lower the action that lil bit extra.

[EADG]

i was refering to the fact that u have to have clearance over the frets, where as if it were fully fretless u could lower the action that lil bit extra.


Well on a fretless you still have you have your action high enough to let the notes breath, there's not that much difference.

[doodooking]

I've heard of people taking off the frets on the lower notes so you can still slap, but I don't think I heard of people doing it the other way

[EADG]

I've heard of people taking off the frets on the lower notes so you can still slap, but I don't think I heard of people doing it the other way


I believe you take them all off except for the last.

[Radiobass81]

I think the fretboard will have to be level to the frets...I'm not really sure though.
:thumb:

Unless you want to press incredibly hard, or lower the action enough to play the fretless notes, but have dead notes on the fretted ones.

[WHoRRID]

I believe you take them all off except for the last.

i hate that. i tryed it and it gave me a dead spot from about the 13th up so i just took that last one out. u can slap on a fretless its just a different sond/feel. which i happen to like

[Radiobass81]

I believe you take them all off except for the last.
The last 5 or so notes before the last fret will get cut off, though.

Something like that.

[EADG]

The last 5 or so notes before the last fret will get cut off, though.

Something like that.


Well, you could play it if you had really high action, I'd imagine. But who likes that?

[Fast_Food_Klepto]

Hmm... I'd think that because the string is usually contacting the fret, which is slightly raised, that pushing it down further would cause it to be slightly out of tune. I could be wrong though.

[WHoRRID]

i think weve established makeing a half fretless is more truoble than ist worth.

[sublime-et-lager]

buy a double necked bass!