Question: ...for Bongoloids, considering fretless Bongo?

[dmarotta]

I strongly suggest you order your fretless with a lined fingerboard. I have played fretless for many years in many different musical situations and could not imagine having the ability to visualize the exact location of the note.To me an unlined fretboard would be like flying blind.A lined fingerboard gives you a huge advantage for playing in tune.

[Eggman]

I strongly suggest you order your fretless with a lined fingerboard. I have played fretless for many years in many different musical situations and could not imagine having the ability to visualize the exact location of the note.To me an unlined fretboard would be like flying blind.A lined fingerboard gives you a huge advantage for playing in tune.

I agree with Dave^^. The lines really add confidence and help with playing in tune.

[ekb16b]

Lines would help but blank plank looks so much more badass.

[oli@bass]

If you can, try both types - lined and unlined - and decide for yourself what is more comfortable. I thought I'd heavily need a lined board but found out that I was playing more freely and musically on the blank plank -- because I was listening instead of looking!

[maddog]

because i was listening instead of looking!

+9000

[T Alan]

If you can, try both types - lined and unlined - and decide for yourself what is more comfortable. I thought I'd heavily need a lined board but found out that I was playing more freely and musically on the blank plank -- because I was listening instead of looking!

What HE said.

[keko]

Lines would help but blank plank looks so much more badass.

I owned a standard old vintage doublebass, Fretless of course with 4 strings. Now it's broken 'cause it's 150 years old, any repair is no option any more, the most of the wood is rotten! It was repaired about 10 years ago, changed whole front plate and maple bridge, glued maple neck...but now is dead!

What I want to say, for 4 strings I really don't need fret lines, but as I'm a newbie on 5 stringers I think that really should need those fret lines!

By the way that trio smiles to become a quartet, I'm considering to take my wife in that band so we could play and sing some gospel, blues and jazz standards in small clubs! Sounds so fun to me!
(Wife singer, acoustic guitar with piezo and amp, my bass with amp, and acoustic drums, small PA support just for vocals/me background!)

In the beginning I have my Sterling for practice, and we'll see when I finish my house interior how much money will left, and than make a final decision about buying that fretless Bongo!

Thank You guys for all information I really appreciate whole Your comments!
Love Ya all!

[jlepre]

I strongly suggest you order your fretless with a lined fingerboard.

I disagree...I owned an HH/P Bongo 5 unlined fretless, and I never played fretless before. I have been playing for over 30 years, and have a very good feel for the position on the neck without looking at my hands.

If you can, try both types - lined and unlined - and decide for yourself what is more comfortable. I thought I'd heavily need a lined board but found out that I was playing more freely and musically on the blank plank -- because I was listening instead of looking!

This would make the most sense, plus BLANK plank look so HOT!

[dmarotta]

I disagree...I owned an HH/P Bongo 5 unlined fretless, and I never played fretless before. I have been playing for over 30 years, and have a very good feel for the position on the neck without looking at my hands.



This would make the most sense, plus BLANK plank look so HOT!

It all depends on the musical situation you are in. For me, when I am called for a film scoring session with a large orchestra , and the possibility of interpreting a difficult written bass line, I want a lined fingerboard .

[oli@bass]

Dave is hundred times the player I am, and he plays for a living while I use the fretless mainly to annoy my bandmates. So who you gonna believe...