Fretless poll thread

[sitonmybass]

dude, with all those questions, it looks like you're doing market research to make your own basses. you should just get what you like. they're all good. buy the one that looks the coolest.

personally, i prefer unlined. i'd also prefer ebony, but that's not a standard option. i guess i'm stuck with pau ferro

Even though I recently sold my fretless I'm not currently in the market for a new one, these questions were just to satisfy my own curiousity. Again, everyone, thanks for the responses. I'm sure this will help when I actually AM in the market for a new one.

 

[drTStingray]

Sorry I'm a bit late on this. Not been on the forum for a week or so.

What fretless basses do you own or want?
93 3 band Ray

What type of fingerboard wood do you prefer?
Don't know - Pau Ferro seems just fine. Ebony also looks nice but then so do those v early 70s Fender jazzes with maple fretless and black tape wound strings

Do you like lined or unlined?
Unlined

What is the percentage of your usage of fretless?
60% currently

What genres/contexts do you use it for?
50s rock and roll; jazz fusion; some R and B; certain 80s stuff.

Do you prefer the look of lined or unlined?
Unlined

What strings do you use/prefer?
Half ground - I used flats to start with and the bass didn't have as much 'mwah' sound (but sounded very growly when recorded - v nice) - the previous owner used rounds which have eaten parts of the board alarmingly where bending strings I suspect.

What effects pedals, if any, do you use with fretless?
Nil usually - but chorus sounds nice and also octave

Do you find yourself concentrating more or do you feel more "free" on fretless?
Both - I really find I have to concentrate harder to get the right intonation - eg when playing root/3rd/5th/octave pattern - it's sometimes easy to get the 5th and octave slightly flat by not stretching enough

What scale length do you prefer?
34" is fine

Do you prefer active or passive electronics?
Active

Do you prefer all magnetic or magnetic plus piezo pickup configurations?
Dunno - I've tried a fretted Ray with piezo - probably would be good with fretless

Are there certain features that you consider a "must-have?"
3 band is useful/essential as boosted mids = more 'mwah' sound

If you've never owned one before would you consider or are you considering purchasing one? N/A

Do you know someone who would let you borrow theirs to try out?
Yes, but it's a jazz.

Were you easily discouraged at your first attempt at playing one?
No not at all.

Does the thought of playing fretless intimidate you and prevent you from trying it?
No

Are the people you play with "open" to you trying/playing fretless?
Yes - in fact the main band I play with prefer me to play it.

Did fretless automatically feel comfortable to you?
Reasonably - had to/have to work with intonation.

Do you feel you're "missing out" not playing fretless? N/A

Do you "hear" certain imagined bass-lines in your head as fretless lines?
Yes - usually upper end fills and lines

What is your emotional response when you hear a well played fretless line?
V nice indeed - eg Jaco's playing on 'A Remark you made'

Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?
I think I am still learning and growing as a bassist

Could fretless possibly be your "voice" on bass?
It's definitely a part of it sometimes.

What is your DREAM fretless bass?
Bongo HHp (is there one - if not HSp) or 25th HSS.

Here is my fretless