Aussie Mark
Well-known member
I thought this was going to be a poll, then I saw the 100 questions and lost interest. Here's the best I can do to contribute to the discussion .....
gafman
Well-known member
Just a pic from me.
bradfordws
Well-known member
Dream fretless: Sterling 5HH Natural or Sunburst
projectapollo
Well-known member
Very nice.
maddog
Well-known member
less walls of text, more walls of pics!
S
sitonmybass
I literally just "threw" questions out there. The fact that some have chosen to answer all of them is awesome, I never expected that. At best, I was hoping to get enough responses so that I'd have AT LEAST one answer per question. I also thought that having a wide variety of questions would lead to more responses even if those responses were only to individual questions.
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Duarte
Well-known member
oli@bass
Well-known member
What fretless basses do you own or want?
- Own: StingRay H, StingRay HH
What type of fingerboard wood do you prefer?
- Ebony
Do you like lined or unlined?
- unlined. I always thought that I'd need a lined board to be able to play fretless, but found out that the lines were more of a distraction than help. With the lines I was always trying to visually verify my intonation instead of listening. The blank plank set me free. I still look at the side markers a lot, but just to have a coarse visual clue.
What is the percentage of your usage of fretless?
- about 5-10% in band situation, about 50% practice at home
What genres/contexts do you use it for?
- whatever song I feel it fits (rock, pop, ska, jazz, latin), I'm more thinking in terms of tone and feel than in genre stereotypes.
Do you prefer the look of lined or unlined?
- unlined
What strings do you use/prefer?
- EBMM Super Slinky rounds or Group III flats
What effects pedals, if any, do you use with fretless?
- Octaver, auto filter, chorus, more or less the same as with the fretted
Do you find yourself concentrating more or do you feel more "free" on fretless?
- While praticing at home, I feel more free. Playing live with the band, I'm terrified...
What scale length do you prefer?
- The same as the main fretted I play
Do you prefer active or passive electronics?
- I prefer active basses in general
Do you prefer all magnetic or magnetic plus piezo pickup configurations?
- Never had a piezo. I tested them (on fretted) when I could but just never liked the sound.
Are there certain features that you consider a "must-have?"
- My fretless should be the same model as my main fretted bass to make the transition as smooth as possible, also to have not too much of a change of tone and volume in a live situation.
Do you know someone who would let you borrow theirs to try out?
- A friend of mine borrowed me his Pedulla about 15 years ago. I totally loved it, even though I totally sucked at playing it.
Were you easily discouraged at your first attempt at playing one?
- No. It was easier than I thought. But the first fretless I had was with a lined board. I thought I'd need that.
Does the thought of playing fretless intimidate you and prevent you from trying it?
- Yes. In fact, I was terrified. And therefore didn't have the courage to try fretless for over 20 years. Last year I finally got into it. And I'm glad I did!
Are the people you play with "open" to you trying/playing fretless?
- Yes. They love it. As long as I play it properly
Did fretless automatically feel comfortable to you?
- Much to my surprise, it did.
Do you feel you're "missing out" not playing fretless?
- I didn't. It was more of a curiousity. But since I started to play fretless, I found it to be a great source of inspiration and joy.
Do you "hear" certain imagined bass-lines in your head as fretless lines?
- No. I decide on sound (and fretless is a "sound" category for me) when I try to arrange or compose a bass line for a certain song.
What is your emotional response when you hear a well played fretless line?
- Enlightment, happyness, joy and awe
Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?
- No. I feel I haven't reached my full potential regardless of the bass.
Could fretless possibly be your "voice" on bass?
- It will become a major part of my voice with time. But I love both types of tone and cannot imagine not playing fretted anymore.
What is your DREAM fretless bass?
- All black StingRay HH, mahogany body, ebony fretboard.... this one:
- Own: StingRay H, StingRay HH
What type of fingerboard wood do you prefer?
- Ebony
Do you like lined or unlined?
- unlined. I always thought that I'd need a lined board to be able to play fretless, but found out that the lines were more of a distraction than help. With the lines I was always trying to visually verify my intonation instead of listening. The blank plank set me free. I still look at the side markers a lot, but just to have a coarse visual clue.
What is the percentage of your usage of fretless?
- about 5-10% in band situation, about 50% practice at home
What genres/contexts do you use it for?
- whatever song I feel it fits (rock, pop, ska, jazz, latin), I'm more thinking in terms of tone and feel than in genre stereotypes.
Do you prefer the look of lined or unlined?
- unlined
What strings do you use/prefer?
- EBMM Super Slinky rounds or Group III flats
What effects pedals, if any, do you use with fretless?
- Octaver, auto filter, chorus, more or less the same as with the fretted
Do you find yourself concentrating more or do you feel more "free" on fretless?
- While praticing at home, I feel more free. Playing live with the band, I'm terrified...
What scale length do you prefer?
- The same as the main fretted I play
Do you prefer active or passive electronics?
- I prefer active basses in general
Do you prefer all magnetic or magnetic plus piezo pickup configurations?
- Never had a piezo. I tested them (on fretted) when I could but just never liked the sound.
Are there certain features that you consider a "must-have?"
- My fretless should be the same model as my main fretted bass to make the transition as smooth as possible, also to have not too much of a change of tone and volume in a live situation.
Do you know someone who would let you borrow theirs to try out?
- A friend of mine borrowed me his Pedulla about 15 years ago. I totally loved it, even though I totally sucked at playing it.
Were you easily discouraged at your first attempt at playing one?
- No. It was easier than I thought. But the first fretless I had was with a lined board. I thought I'd need that.
Does the thought of playing fretless intimidate you and prevent you from trying it?
- Yes. In fact, I was terrified. And therefore didn't have the courage to try fretless for over 20 years. Last year I finally got into it. And I'm glad I did!
Are the people you play with "open" to you trying/playing fretless?
- Yes. They love it. As long as I play it properly
Did fretless automatically feel comfortable to you?
- Much to my surprise, it did.
Do you feel you're "missing out" not playing fretless?
- I didn't. It was more of a curiousity. But since I started to play fretless, I found it to be a great source of inspiration and joy.
Do you "hear" certain imagined bass-lines in your head as fretless lines?
- No. I decide on sound (and fretless is a "sound" category for me) when I try to arrange or compose a bass line for a certain song.
What is your emotional response when you hear a well played fretless line?
- Enlightment, happyness, joy and awe
Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?
- No. I feel I haven't reached my full potential regardless of the bass.
Could fretless possibly be your "voice" on bass?
- It will become a major part of my voice with time. But I love both types of tone and cannot imagine not playing fretted anymore.
What is your DREAM fretless bass?
- All black StingRay HH, mahogany body, ebony fretboard.... this one:
oli@bass
Well-known member
1988 StingRay
2007 Dargie Delight StingRay HH
2007 Dargie Delight StingRay HH
S
sitonmybass
Wow!
I agree with 57fenderjazz, those are beautiful. Unlined necks just look so bad a$$!
S
sitonmybass
I want to "re-word" one of the questions.
Instead of:
"Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?"
It should have been:
"Do you feel that not playing fretless is limiting your growth as a player?"
Instead of:
"Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?"
It should have been:
"Do you feel that not playing fretless is limiting your growth as a player?"
What fretless basses do you own or want?
Carvin BB75 Maple/Maple w/tung oil finish
Carvin AC40 Koa Top/Mahogany
What type of fingerboard wood do you prefer?
Pao or Ebony
Do you like lined or unlined?
Lined, No dots
What is the percentage of your usage of fretless?
At the moment 100%
What genres/contexts do you use it for?
Jazz, Fusion, progressive Rock, Folk
Do you prefer the look of lined or unlined?
Unlined but I need them for accuracy myself
What strings do you use/prefer?
Slinkys
What effects pedals, if any, do you use with fretless?
None
Do you find yourself concentrating more or do you feel more "free" on fretless?
Freedom
What scale length do you prefer?
34"
Do you prefer active or passive electronics?
Active
Do you prefer all magnetic or magnetic plus piezo pickup configurations?
No preference
Are there certain features that you consider a "must-have?"
Quality construction, fast, flat neck
If you've never owned one before would you consider or are you considering purchasing one?
-
Do you know someone who would let you borrow theirs to try out?
-
Were you easily discouraged at your first attempt at playing one?
Nope, felt right at home
Does the thought of playing fretless intimidate you and prevent you from trying it?
-
Are the people you play with "open" to you trying/playing fretless?
Yes
Did fretless automatically feel comfortable to you?
Definitely
Do you feel you're "missing out" not playing fretless?
-
Do you "hear" certain imagined bass-lines in your head as fretless lines?
All the time
What is your emotional response when you hear a well played fretless line?
Chilling (in a good way)
Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?
-
Could fretless possibly be your "voice" on bass?
It's mine
What is your DREAM fretless bass?
Roscoe skb, Fodera Emperor 5 or F-Bass BNF-5
Carvin BB75 Maple/Maple w/tung oil finish
Carvin AC40 Koa Top/Mahogany
What type of fingerboard wood do you prefer?
Pao or Ebony
Do you like lined or unlined?
Lined, No dots
What is the percentage of your usage of fretless?
At the moment 100%
What genres/contexts do you use it for?
Jazz, Fusion, progressive Rock, Folk
Do you prefer the look of lined or unlined?
Unlined but I need them for accuracy myself
What strings do you use/prefer?
Slinkys
What effects pedals, if any, do you use with fretless?
None
Do you find yourself concentrating more or do you feel more "free" on fretless?
Freedom
What scale length do you prefer?
34"
Do you prefer active or passive electronics?
Active
Do you prefer all magnetic or magnetic plus piezo pickup configurations?
No preference
Are there certain features that you consider a "must-have?"
Quality construction, fast, flat neck
If you've never owned one before would you consider or are you considering purchasing one?
-
Do you know someone who would let you borrow theirs to try out?
-
Were you easily discouraged at your first attempt at playing one?
Nope, felt right at home
Does the thought of playing fretless intimidate you and prevent you from trying it?
-
Are the people you play with "open" to you trying/playing fretless?
Yes
Did fretless automatically feel comfortable to you?
Definitely
Do you feel you're "missing out" not playing fretless?
-
Do you "hear" certain imagined bass-lines in your head as fretless lines?
All the time
What is your emotional response when you hear a well played fretless line?
Chilling (in a good way)
Do you feel that you haven't reached your full potential due to not playing fretless?
-
Could fretless possibly be your "voice" on bass?
It's mine
What is your DREAM fretless bass?
Roscoe skb, Fodera Emperor 5 or F-Bass BNF-5
Manfloozy
Well-known member
Don't own either anymore sadly enough (but they are in good hands of fellow Knuckledheads)... still for Fretless EBMM porn... this is currently the best I got!
T Alan
Well-known member
I think I've already got my dream fretless-
between p/guards-
New-
Due to popular demand, from both bandmates and "fans", fretless has become my 'voice.'
I most certainly will never reach my full potential on fretless, or bass guitar, for that matter.
To me, a well played fretless "sings" more, but that all depends on the context, I suppose.
Whether or not I hear bass lines as fretted or fretless is about 50/50, I think.
Depending on the situation, I might feel as though I'm missing out.
I used to be VERY intimidated by fretless. I tried it once at a shop and was totally lost. Hadn't touched one in years 'til a friend let me borrow his for a week. I'll never forget picking it up and feeling it just "click". I took it to rehearsal that evening and rocked hard with it. Never forget that day.
I'm actually more comfortable on fretless than fretted...especially since I do 100% improv.
I'm about 50/50 with regard to active vs. passive.
I'm MUCH more "free" on fretless.
As for pedals, mostly just my Akai Headrush.
String preference depends on the situation.
Unlined ALL THE WAY(right, Grasshopper? )
As mentioned in another thread, I wish ebony was an option for fingerboard material.
Still looking forward to my fretless Bongo 6'er. [sigh]
between p/guards-
New-
Due to popular demand, from both bandmates and "fans", fretless has become my 'voice.'
I most certainly will never reach my full potential on fretless, or bass guitar, for that matter.
To me, a well played fretless "sings" more, but that all depends on the context, I suppose.
Whether or not I hear bass lines as fretted or fretless is about 50/50, I think.
Depending on the situation, I might feel as though I'm missing out.
I used to be VERY intimidated by fretless. I tried it once at a shop and was totally lost. Hadn't touched one in years 'til a friend let me borrow his for a week. I'll never forget picking it up and feeling it just "click". I took it to rehearsal that evening and rocked hard with it. Never forget that day.
I'm actually more comfortable on fretless than fretted...especially since I do 100% improv.
I'm about 50/50 with regard to active vs. passive.
I'm MUCH more "free" on fretless.
As for pedals, mostly just my Akai Headrush.
String preference depends on the situation.
Unlined ALL THE WAY(right, Grasshopper?
) As mentioned in another thread, I wish ebony was an option for fingerboard material.
Still looking forward to my fretless Bongo 6'er. [sigh]
T Alan
Well-known member
My pleasure. Thanks for the compliment.
She's just another 'Ray, but I got lucky on a couple shots. yourwhathurts69
Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
- Messages
- 18
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
personally, i prefer unlined. i'd also prefer ebony, but that's not a standard option. i guess i'm stuck with pau ferro
Manfloozy
Well-known member
Oooooooo... more eye candy... thanks to Brandt.
