fretless bass

[schecterplaya]

so i want to buy a bass (don't play bass but can pick things up really fast). i really like the sound of a fretless electric but i have never played one. my friend bought a jazz and it is ok but not awesome. ok so a couple questions. are the fretless easy to play? i have played my other friends upright and its not that hard. how does the sound compare from frets to fretless? what would all of you suggest?:smoke:

[bottlerocket]

Define "easy to play."

You play using the same technique but because it's fretless, you need to be a lot more precise in your fretting. You don't fret before the fret. For example, if you want to play a C on the A string, you put your finger behind the third fret on the A string, hold it down, and play. On a fretless, you put your finger literally where the fret would be. If you're off, you can notice a subtle difference, (too sharp if your finger is too close to the pick ups, too flat if your finger is too close to the headstock).

It requires precision and practice.

Fretted bass = normal bass sound
Fretless = smoother, gives a "mwah" sound

I reccomend looking into Fender Jazz fretless basses. I'm a big fan of those.

[Wintermute]

Asking what a fretless sounds like is a bit like asking the length of a piece of string. It's going to vary. But in general... fretlesses have a warmer tone, with less attack, but more modulation. What is commonly called 'Mwah'. In simple terms, a sustaining note will change more over time than on a fretted.

They are harder to play than fretted basses, no question there. You have to intonate properly, putting your fingers in exactly the right places or the note will be out of tune. It takes a bit of getting used to, especially on unlined fretlesses, but you'll find you pick it up pretty quickly.

For slides, glissando, and other similar techniques, fretlesses are considerably more expressive, and more natural. However they are harder for techniques like tapping, since you have to intonate fully with BOTH hands. I've not gotten the hang of fretless tapping yet - but it is perfectly possible, just harder than normal.

It seems really to be a love it or hate it thing. Some people just never really get into fretlesses, perhaps get one to experiment, but rarely end up playing it... other people, like myself, find they seldom even look at basses with frets anymore.

*total fretless convert*

As for what brand/model to suggest... that depends on what country you're in. Look into Fender, the fretless jazz is pretty much the benchmark. But you may find they're a little over your budget. My personal advice would be to stay away from the lower price-band Ibanez fretlesses, as they feel terrible and sound apalling. If you're fortunate enough to be in the UK, the Vintage V940FL is all you have ever wanted. Solidly built, great tone, and half the price of anything comparable. :thumb:

Give us an idea of your budget, and where in the world you are, and perhaps I can dig out some more specific advice on what to look for.

[schecterplaya]

hmm... thanks guys. that actually helps. have either of you ever played upright? if so, is it a similar sound, obviously acoustic but same "mwah" sound?

[Wintermute]

I've not really played an upright, but I know what they sound like. :p

From what I've heard though, a fretless electric bass is easier to play than an upright. Lower action, for a start. Still quite technique dependant, but not quite to the same degree as an upright.

You could say the sounds are similar - but not identical. By no means identical. In a way, the fretless is something of the halfway point between upright and fretted. It has the upright's mwah, but the definition and control of the electric.

It's hard to point out a single tone that defines a fretless bass... just as it'd be hard to point out a single tone that would define a fretted bass. Different players do different things with them. But if you're looking into getting a fretless, you should definitely be listening to some Jaco Pastorius. His fretless tone was pretty unique, admittedly, but he was the fretless king.

[The Brad]

If you're stateside I've got a MIM Fender Fretless Jazz with villex pups and a J-retro pre for sale.

[schecterplaya]

Yeah, I have listened to him and his playing is incredible. It is hard to describe but incredible fantastic is a good description I guess. Ok well that was a big help. Oh, do you prefer a lined or unlined neck? I don't guess it really matters but seems like an unlined would look like you know what you are doing. Lol.

[schecterplaya]

If you're stateside I've got a MIM Fender Fretless Jazz with villex pups and a J-retro pre for sale.
How much and where are you?

i'm stoopid. you are in CA. sorry

[The Brad]

$500 shipped with a hardshell case.

San Diego, CA

...inregardstowhatthemanbelowsays,itislined.

[Wintermute]

Yeah, I have listened to him and his playing is incredible. It is hard to describe but incredible fantastic is a good description I guess. Ok well that was a big help. Oh, do you prefer a lined or unlined neck? I don't guess it really matters but seems like an unlined would look like you know what you are doing. Lol.

It's not a real fretless if there are lines on it. It's just that the frets are flat. :p

Unlined all the way.

[schecterplaya]

It's not a real fretless if there are lines on it. It's just that the frets are flat. :p

Unlined all the way.

LOL. That makes sense. i think that i am going to buy one. maybe i'll be the next Jaco................. Ok maybe not but hey, it's worth a shot. lol. :thumb:

[Low_End_Communications]

Upright and fretless are completely different. No electric instrument will sound like an upright. Upright is very thumpy and thuddy, but can get some of that mwah with new, steel strings and low action.

Fretless, in general, is harder to play if you start off by relying on your eyes instead of your ears. Having played trombone for years before picking up bass, I find it a little easier to tackle a fretless without having to look too much.

Really, lined or unlined is a matter of preference. I really like basses with small dots at every fret position (Michael Kelly) or small lines (Godin).

[GUTSHOT]

Ive played a Warwick fretless, at guitar center. I forget the model. It was a beutiful wood finish, I played almost everything I knew on it, and in my opinion if your familer with the frets you should be fine.
I would start out on a fretted thoagh. It also seemed like when I played it, when messing around on it it was alot more fun to play then a fretted, and more freedom. Any of you metal heads out there, I like what they did with Death - The Philophosper with the fretless bass.

[White_Summer]

being "familiar" with the fretts is good if you are playing a fretted bass, but on a fretless you will more than likely be flat all the time if your "familiar" with the frets. you wont be rediculously flat, but flat enough that a good ear will hear the quarter tone difference

[Son of Magni]

Fretless electric bass is WAY easier to play than upright.

No fret lines ftw.

There's two big differences between upright and "fretless". First, on an upright the action is much higher so your fingering hand will need to get into shape :p Second, on an upright most of the fingerboard is over the body which means "thumb position" must be learned (ouch!) and also that there's this built-in reference point where the neck joins the body. By being able to feel the body with your hand you really don't need to look at your hand ever.

A cool thing to do though on electric, is put a strip of tape covering up the dots on the edge of the neck. Practice that way for a couple weeks. Your brain will have fun with that!