For you fretless players...
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Um, should someone begin with a fretless? I'm a guitar player who loves that jazzy bass sound. I've needed a bass for ages and have recently started thinking about a fretless. I've got enough theory and technique that I could begin playing "root note" accompaniments immediately, but it might take me a while to get more adventurous. Part of the delay in me getting a bass has been the fretted versus fretless debate. It'll be a 4003 either way. Thanks.
Ed...yeah, man, you're right: fretless is a complex variety of skills employed together...a whole new world for hands and ears alike. I know I've been able to thrash my way with confidence through gigs where I couldn't hear myself well on a fretted rig...it's not fun, but I've done it. I wouldn't want to attempt such a thing without frets.
Some people are born with really good 'ears' and some acquire them after a lot of work...but everyone's got to learn how to listen.
John, as for starting out on a fretless...I got my 4001FL in '74 from a guy who tried to start out on it. He got discouraged after six months and sold it. It depends on your prior musical training...if you were beginning as a player and choosing bass, I would recommend frets to start, but as a you're a guitar player, maybe you could 'go for it' as well...
Some people are born with really good 'ears' and some acquire them after a lot of work...but everyone's got to learn how to listen.
John, as for starting out on a fretless...I got my 4001FL in '74 from a guy who tried to start out on it. He got discouraged after six months and sold it. It depends on your prior musical training...if you were beginning as a player and choosing bass, I would recommend frets to start, but as a you're a guitar player, maybe you could 'go for it' as well...
I didn't get where I am today by being on time...
My 73 FL came in the same roundabout way. It was originally bought in 74 by the bass player of the "Heavy Metal Kids" in the UK who were signed to a world deal with Atlantic and destined to become the next big thing.
He couldn't get on with it at all, and it passed to the previous owner who had it nearly thirty years.
He only sold it because he wanted an organ and his wife told him to choose between the two!
He couldn't get on with it at all, and it passed to the previous owner who had it nearly thirty years.
He only sold it because he wanted an organ and his wife told him to choose between the two!
