Thinking fretless

[JOEinCA]

Thinking I want a fretless but TBH Im a bit intimidated by them. I know my intonation will suck...that being said.. I think I may opt for the lined fretless. How have you all taken the plunge? Lined at first or no lines from the start?

Anyone selling a fretless 4?

 

[MrMusashi]

the fretless is great, it will allow you to do things with your bass that you usually only can do with your voice

i opted for a lined fretless and it was good to get a sense of where you were and a visual reference. after a while you just play and dont think too much about it. it becomes just like a natural extension and you could probably play just as well in the dark

if in doubt go for a lined one. it will make it easier in the beginning

MrM

 

[Golem]

Much as I hate overworked cliche phrases, the
real key to going FL is "Just do it". Put in some
reasonable practice time and you will sound OK.

Perzanellie, I prefer edge markings to lines. It
looks much cooler, but more importantly edge
markings are on the note locations when there
are no lines. If you get lines, the edge dots will
be in the fretted neck locations.

Since I seldom buy anything new, I have both
types. I paint over the edge dots on the lined
necks, and then paint dots where they belong,
on the note locations ... EVERY note.

It does take practice and I found that practice
is more rewarding if the results are extra cool.
To that end I find the sound of the piezo option
exceeeeedingly rewarding on a FL bass.

Warning: If you play in a loud ego-driven club
band, you may find it impossible to play FL in
tune, even after you get real good at it. Myself
I don't join such bands, but sometimes I play
FL at a jam that gets too noisy. Sweat not the
intonation. Your jam mates are either deaf old
geetards, or are just ignoring each other, and
that includes ignoring you. The audience tends
to be deaf and/or clueless. Keep calm and play
on ! You will believe you sucked, but you will
receive enthusiastic compliments ... especially
if you have a cool looking blank plank. These
people listen with their eyes. If they did listen
with their ears, they'd be somewheres else ;-)


`

 

[KevinM]

I got my first fretless on a Wednesday and was using it on stage that Saturday.
I just started playing. There was an adjustment and I had to pay more attention but the transition was pretty easy.
I use the lines on the board for reference but make slight location adjustment for tone.
My first fretless was an acoustic with the dots on the fret lines but, as Golem said, EBMM puts the dots at the middle of the fret on the lined version. That doesn't bother me because I switch back and forth a lot from fretted to fretless so they have less variation.
I'm in Riverside County if you happen to have a chance to get down here to check them out before buying.

 

[nurnay]

I was pretty nervous about going unlined, but I'm happy I did. It looks much cooler, and I've adjusted to to it fine. I wouldn't consider myself a really good player of any style bass (but I'm damn adequate!), so that's saying something I guess.

 

[JOEinCA]

Much as I hate overworked cliche phrases, the
real key to going FL is "Just do it". Put in some
reasonable practice time and you will sound OK.

Perzanellie, I prefer edge markings to lines. It
looks much cooler, but more importantly edge
markings are on the note locations when there
are no lines. If you get lines, the edge dots will
be in the fretted neck locations.

Since I seldom buy anything new, I have both
types. I paint over the edge dots on the lined
necks, and then paint dots where they belong,
on the note locations ... EVERY note.

It does take practice and I found that practice
is more rewarding if the results are extra cool.
To that end I find the sound of the piezo option
exceeeeedingly rewarding on a FL bass.

Warning: If you play in a loud ego-driven club
band, you may find it impossible to play FL in
tune, even after you get real good at it. Myself
I don't join such bands, but sometimes I play
FL at a jam that gets too noisy. Sweat not the
intonation. Your jam mates are either deaf old
geetards, or are just ignoring each other, and
that includes ignoring you. The audience tends
to be deaf and/or clueless. Keep calm and play
on ! You will believe you sucked, but you will
receive enthusiastic compliments ... especially
if you have a cool looking blank plank. These
people listen with their eyes. If they did listen
with their ears, they'd be somewheres else ;-)


`

Fantastic...I love what you said!

 

[SBMM]

We make a Sterling By Music Man Ray34CAFL Fretless, and it is lined.
38mm nut, and 4 different finishes.
You can check them out here on our website:

Ray34CA Fretless/Lined Basses Welcome to the Sterling by Music Man Website

Mint Green is sold out, but we recently added Vintage Cream to the offering.

 

[sanderhermans]

Sbmm is a good alternative if you want to try a fretless bass without breaking the bank. But on the other hand nothing beats a good old ebmm unlined fretless. And since demand is lower for fl. basses, you often find em 2nd hand much cheaper.

 

[muggsy]

I have a lined fretless Sterling that I bought used, and it's a great bass. My intonation still sucks, but as Golem said, in a band situation nobody usually notices such things, and the lines get me close enough to the right note. Unlined boards look awesome, but I personally feel like I need the lines. Of course, if the lighting's not great the lines can be tough to see, so you end up relying on the side dots. Fretless is a lot of fun though, take the plunge!