I'm getting cold feet

[bovinehost]

My pal Chuck Moses is one bad-ass fretless player. His intonation is so good that you don't usually realize he's playing fretless until he swoops in with some beautiful slide.

I like his take on this debate. "You don't have to look at the lines if you don't want to."

I'd go lined because of the inlays and also because I personally have owned both types and lined was so much nicer for me.

 

[RockinRayDuke]

I played Worthington's unlined MG Bongo last weekend and as long as it has side dots I'm cool.

 

[maddog]

I'm getting more and more excited about my egyptian smoke blank-plank comin' in.

 

[syciprider]

+1 for blank plank.

Dayum

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

That's Worthington's that Ray said above he just played.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I played Worthington's unlined MG Bongo last weekend and as long as it has side dots I'm cool.

That's it in a nutshell for me too Ray. I took my L2K to rehearsal last night to keep my fretless chops up (my fretless SR is back in Oz) and the side dots were the only reference point I needed.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Not only do I want that Ripper back but I want that 39" scale scroll bass Marko.

 

[armybass]

I go unlines too. All the way on the left.

Both ways even. But I have had many lined fretless basses and dig them too. I say go with what ever makes you more comfortable and with which one you would play more.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Nice quad of naturals Scott!!

<---not seeing any in my reciept pile...not one!!

 

[adouglas]

Lines.

Blank planks look cool, but so what? What's more important...the way you look or the way you sound?

I'd rather sound good than look good any day.

Nobody cares anyway, except perhaps other bassists. Going blank proves precisely nothing...it's just aesthetics.

If the lines help (and they do, IMHO), then I'm all for 'em.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I'd rather sound good than look good any day.

Spoken like a true Carvin owner.

 

[adouglas]

Spoken like a true former Carvin owner.

Fixed it for ya.

I have SEEN the light!

 

[Big Poppa]

Paper or Plastic?

 

[adouglas]

You want fries with that?

 

[mrpackerguy]

+1

Hey there's that freegin 70+ inch scale scroll I admire from afar...

 

[mrpackerguy]

I go unlines too. All the way on the left.
Both ways even. But I have had many lined fretless basses and dig them too. I say go with what ever makes you more comfortable and with which one you would play more.

One Ray, two Ray, three Ray, Four! Love the natural with the matching HS.

 

[Figjam]

Natural.. always has matching hs?

 

[Musicman Nut]

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?

Hey Isn't that what ears are all about, Plus Unlined the side dots will be where you want them. A lined board the side dots will be more like a ftretted neck and you'll have a tendencey to go for the side dot and you'll be in real trouble.

so go unlined, work those ears as my dad would say, My Dad still laughs when I use a tuner, he goes you kids need to learn to tune in Pitch without all those gagets, lol

 

[adouglas]

Hey Isn't that what ears are all about, Plus Unlined the side dots will be where you want them. A lined board the side dots will be more like a ftretted neck and you'll have a tendencey to go for the side dot and you'll be in real trouble.

But if you've never played a fretless before you wouldn't have that tendency, right? You'd go for the line, just as you go for a fret.

so go unlined, work those ears as my dad would say, My Dad still laughs when I use a tuner, he goes you kids need to learn to tune in Pitch without all those gagets, lol

Like someone said, you don't have to look at the lines if you don't want to. Or, using the same logic, the dots on a blank plank. If you really want to work your ears, cover the dots and go without any position markers at all!

What exactly is the point of not using positioning aids if you can have them? Does it make you a better musician? No offense, just curious.

 

[AnthonyD]

Hey Isn't that what ears are all about, Plus Unlined the side dots will be where you want them. A lined board the side dots will be more like a ftretted neck and you'll have a tendencey to go for the side dot and you'll be in real trouble...

Apsi-tively!

I had the same concern about the dots being in the "wrong place" with a lined board! This is what made the decision easy for me.

When playing, I glance at the side of the fretboard and reference the dots for finger placement. With no lines, the dots appear where my fingers need to be.