I have a EBMM Bongo and love it, and one of the things I appreciate are the 24 frets that gives "no" limit. Unfortunately, I can't find other EBMM basses with 24 frets. Why arn't more basses made with 24 frets? Is there any specific reason for that?
- Thread starter Jornan
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mynan
Well-known member
This is a guess...
A big part of the "MM" sound is the bridge humbucker being in the "sweet spot". Because there is less space between the neck and the bridge on 24-fret basses for pickups, the bridge humbucker on dual-pickup 24-fret basses has to be moved closer to the bridge and out of the "sweet spot". So you are potentially sacrificing tone for 2 extra frets that most players don't even use.
A big part of the "MM" sound is the bridge humbucker being in the "sweet spot". Because there is less space between the neck and the bridge on 24-fret basses for pickups, the bridge humbucker on dual-pickup 24-fret basses has to be moved closer to the bridge and out of the "sweet spot". So you are potentially sacrificing tone for 2 extra frets that most players don't even use.
paranoid70
Well-known member
Stupid guitar player question: Do most bass players play anywhere near the 20+ frets????
CFA
Well-known member
I thought it might have something to do with it being a Leo Fender design, and to my knowledge most Fender basses lack 24 frets... but you're really only loosing two notes (To my knowledge), 23 and 24 on G string, since all the others are repeated in other places on the fretboard. But Mynan's idea seems closer to correct to me.
mynan
Well-known member
most don't
I have been watching rock and blues performers since I took up bass in the early 60's. No is the answer for those types. But jf you google Richard Bona or any other jazz guy particularly when they are the main attraction and 6 string types you might say yes.
I have been watching rock and blues performers since I took up bass in the early 60's. No is the answer for those types. But jf you google Richard Bona or any other jazz guy particularly when they are the main attraction and 6 string types you might say yes.
RocketRalf
Well-known member
When I need a high F sharp, I bend the string on the last fret. When I need a high G, I play the harmonic. So the only note you're losing is a G sharp, who needs that? 
Silly comment I know. There are other advantages of additional frets besides those notes. But I would guess most bass players never go that far up the fretboard. There's the issue about the space for the neck pickup, and then it's a tradition inherited from Leo.
Also, if you add two more frets, you'll need a deeper lower cutaway or else you'll have very limited access. You may make the whole body shorter, but you'll still need a longer upper horn to maintain instrument balance. So I guess it's not an easy thing to add to an existing design.
Silly comment I know. There are other advantages of additional frets besides those notes. But I would guess most bass players never go that far up the fretboard. There's the issue about the space for the neck pickup, and then it's a tradition inherited from Leo.
Also, if you add two more frets, you'll need a deeper lower cutaway or else you'll have very limited access. You may make the whole body shorter, but you'll still need a longer upper horn to maintain instrument balance. So I guess it's not an easy thing to add to an existing design.
bovinehost
Administrator
Most working bassists don't.
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
Good question, as I think it's a design issue or philosophy but maybe BP would chime as they decided to do it with the BONGO. Me personally, I don't like the 24 fret idea at all, I mean, to me anyways, it's like a fur sink. I've counted the times I've actually used a note above the 15th fret in my band...pretty much never, but like I said, that's just me.
Duarte
Well-known member
I am more than happy with the high E on the stingray. Starts on a low E, ends on a high E, very logical. It makes playing in the key of E very easy. There are E's all up the fretboard!
mynan
Well-known member
Wha???
Duarte
Well-known member
e.
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
See, told Yah.
Me thinks he means HIGHEST NOTE on the Stingray G string is: E. He's happy he can go from the Low E string to the High E on the G string.
Me thinks he means HIGHEST NOTE on the Stingray G string is: E. He's happy he can go from the Low E string to the High E on the G string.
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and lombardini
Well-known member
When I need a high F sharp, I bend the string on the last fret. When I need a high G, I play the harmonic. So the only note you're losing is a G sharp, who needs that?
actually the F# is there as a natural harmonic too...right on the 4th or 16th fret D string...
I have a feeling mynan is correct about the tone thing. More than a feeling.
For me, it's technical:
When I play slap style, I tend to get... excited. the way I play slap style, the 23rd and 24th frets tend to generate unwanted notes. I'm basically tapping those notes unintentionally with my thumb. So, they can definitely just get in the way of most working bassists, which makes them worse than useless-- a hinderance.
Zak, I totally get you on the E thing! It makes chord melody in E way more satisfying too. I can end on a high E! Continuum sounds so much better... and I can play an extra octave 2-string E scale!
When I'm grooving, though, sometimes I'll tap a chord real quick in those areas of the board just to add flavor. never need 24, though.
Hope that helps.
For me, it's technical:
When I play slap style, I tend to get... excited. the way I play slap style, the 23rd and 24th frets tend to generate unwanted notes. I'm basically tapping those notes unintentionally with my thumb. So, they can definitely just get in the way of most working bassists, which makes them worse than useless-- a hinderance.
Zak, I totally get you on the E thing! It makes chord melody in E way more satisfying too. I can end on a high E! Continuum sounds so much better... and I can play an extra octave 2-string E scale!
When I'm grooving, though, sometimes I'll tap a chord real quick in those areas of the board just to add flavor. never need 24, though.
Hope that helps.
syciprider
Well-known member
21 seems to do it for me too. My Sterling and Bongos throw me off sometimes.
Duarte
Well-known member
Yeah that's what I mean. It makes sense to me, and it's interesting to see that others agree with me.
What really pisses me off is the 20 frets on a P bass....
smallequestrian
Well-known member
If you were to somehow tally the people that make a living playing the bass, I would guess at least 95% of them are playing a Jazz, P, Thunderbird , Ric or Stingray. So the obvious conclusion is that working bass players don't need 24 frets.
His argument makes no comment on nonworking bass players.
