I'm getting cold feet

[TheDirtyMoocher]

I'm all set to order a fretless DD Bongo HSp, but I can't decide if i should get lined or unlined. My main concern is that if i get an unlined, i'll be so lost that i wont be able to use it aside from just focusing using it properly (aka i wont be able to have any fun with it). This is kind of a silly concern, but if i'm going to spend $$$$ on it i want to make sure i can use it to its full potential.

i guess my question is: whats the learning curve like on a blank plank?

 

[strummer]

I'm all set to order a fretless DD Bongo HSp, but I can't decide if i should get lined or unlined. My main concern is that if i get an unlined, i'll be so lost that i wont be able to use it aside from just focusing using it properly (aka i wont be able to have any fun with it). This is kind of a silly concern, but if i'm going to spend $$$$ on it i want to make sure i can use it to its full potential.

i guess my question is: whats the learning curve like on a blank plank?

bah, you still have the side dots! I can't play fretless worth a damn, but I play equally poorly on lined and unlined.

But I think you should get the lined, since you'll get way more martini glass inlays that way

 

[PzoLover]

If Its The Music That's Important ...

I'm all set to order a fretless DD Bongo HSp, but I can't decide if i should get lined or unlined.

Since I'm me, and not a globally recognized fretless wizard, I have absolutely no regrets over my Lined SR5 fretless; the lines help me a lot, and the instrument is beautiful in every way.
Do what's right for you; let the music in your soul be your guide.
PL

 

[maddog]

You list no reasons supporting an unlined so why not just go with the lined.

 

[tkarter]

IMHO it is all how good your ears are. If you hear correct then blank isn't hard at all. If you don't lined will teach you. Of course I am no great shakes on the blank. But my upright playing is coming along rather nicely.


tk

 

[bassmonkeee]

For any other bass, I would think it was worth fretting over (pun not intended). But, with the DD, you get martini inlays at every fret on a lined fretless.

I love a blank plank, but the inlays would prompt me to get a lined.

Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. If you are concerned, get lines.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Playing a fretless with the same neck width and neck profile as one of your fretted basses is a breeze. After a few minutes you don't even think about it, since your hand remembers what to do. So, I vote for unlined.

 

[Figjam]

Unlined are so pretty.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Unlined.

No questions asked.

 

[jongitarz]

There is no shame in a lined fretless. If you feel that you would be more comfortable with a lined neck, go for it.

 

[MingusBASS]

I also play upright, but when it was time to order my fretless Bongo, I went with lined. Why? Because sometimes you can't hear as well up on stage and it can be a nightmare trying to stay in tune up high on the neck if you don't have some kind of visual clue. I actually like the way fretlines look on a fretless so maybe that makes me odd. Playing wihtout lines doesn't make you a bad ass and playing with them doesn't make you a wuss. Most of us would agree that Tony Levin is a great fretless player and suprise, the guy uses fretlines.

 

[mrpackerguy]

I've had lined and unlined. Personally, I did better with a lined. But to be honest, I really didn't give the unlined a fair chance. But right out of the chute, I did better with lined as far as intonation goes.

 

[tkarter]

I also play upright, but when it was time to order my fretless Bongo, I went with lined. Why? Because sometimes you can't hear as well up on stage and it can be a nightmare trying to stay in tune up high on the neck if you don't have some kind of visual clue. I actually like the way fretlines look on a fretless so maybe that makes me odd. Playing wihtout lines doesn't make you a bad ass and playing with them doesn't make you a wuss. Most of us would agree that Tony Levin is a great fretless player and suprise, the guy uses fretlines.

Something I never considered until now myself. Thanks, that tells me what I would want in a fretless.

tk

 

[syciprider]

To me, unlined only gets bad above the 7th fret. My intonation goes to hell as the notes get bunched up.

 

[AnthonyD]

Unlined...

Side marker dots help position your left hand.

 

[Alvabass]

Unlined are so pretty.

Definitely.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Definitely.

+1

 

[AnthonyD]

Agreed...

Some of you may recall, my Bongo originally came lined by mistake. My wife walked in on me with it shortly after it arrived and said "I thought you ordered a fretless?"

It's just not the same...

 

[syciprider]

Oh yeah, time to turn it into the...

Ya ain't a real man if you have lines thread!

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

+1 for blank plank.