Question Bongo fretless tips? advice, anyone?

[funkychicken]

good point oli. I guess it's really more about feeling the notes on fretless. I think if i put in the extra effort, I won't really need the lines. I just can't seem to get an estimate on cost though. most (I'm pretty sure all) online retailers have removed the fretless bongo from their catalogues. Oh well, of to my local EBMM dealer.

 

[Manfloozy]

I am with Oli on this too... I prefer unlined boards vs lined ones, others are opposite... Some prefer HH some HS others H pup configs.... Some swear by Maple fretboards... I can't stand 'em.

Remember unlined boards still have side dot markers (thank god)... So you do have a reference.

As for the rest of the discussion, I am hoping to be able to weigh in on the HSp config soon.

 

[funkychicken]

also, does anyone know why the major online retailers have pulled the fretless bongo from their catalogues? I contacted guitarcenter, and they said that the model was likely discontinued. I don't see anything on here that verifies that, though.

 

[adouglas]

At a wild guess...

I'd say they pulled it because it doesn't sell well.

 

[MrMusashi]

even if retailers doesnt stock it, it doesnt mean they dont exist

check basscentral, dubaldo or theperfect bass.. they have a decent collection of basses and a very good reputation around here

MrM

 

[funkychicken]

I'll check those sites out. how reliable are they? good service? I've never bought from any of them, so i wouldn't know.

 

[adouglas]

Very, and yes.

 

[dmarotta]

Lined or Unlined fretless

My first fretless bass was an unlined Ampeg AUB 1 which I bought in 1970. After a few months of slipping and sliding my bandmates threatened to either burn the bass or kick me out of the band. Back then there were no lined basses available so I switched back to a fretted bass. After all these years playing fretless you guys would laugh me off the stage if you heard me play an unlined bass.
With my lined basses , I actually don't look at the fingerboard much, but if I need a reference point, I have the lines as a safety net.
Oli has a good point regarding the angle at which you view the fingerboard causing you to miss the note high or low.It is a small adjustment you have to get used to.

 

[funkychicken]

cool, thanks a lot for all the advice and everything. given how difficult it seems to be finding one of these babies, I'll just have to take what i can get (if its lined or not). I checked bass central and they had a couple similar to what I'm looking for, but they're both HHp. is there a huge difference between that and HSp?
also, when I do get my hands on one, I promise to upload some pics, since the people on here seem to crave that sort of thing