Lined Fretless Bass Guitars

[Tarrbot]

Am I missing something?

I mean, I like/love an unlined fretboard as much as the next guy but shouldn't the sound be the primary concern rather than the look?

And if you're messing up your finger presses, can't you just close your eyes while you "relearn" finger positions?

I may be speaking out of my derriere here since my fretless is out of commission currently and I haven't played it in almost a year.

I've been Jones'ing to get back to playing a fretless though.

If only Rickenbacker would make an unlined, un-dotted fretless... preferably as a 5 string.

[rickenbrother]

Am I missing something?

For an experienced fretless player who has learned to play well, it wouldn't matter if there where no lines or if the bass had lines, dots or guides that said "Place finger here". For a new fretless player, the lines provide a false sense of playing in accurate intonation. I've heard a few young players with lined fretless basses. They didn't go by what they heard and they were off intonation much of the time.

[Tarrbot]

I can see that.

Reminds me of when I first started smoking as a young teenager. I couldn't tell the difference between a Marlboro and a Camel.

As time went on and I became more experienced to smoking, I could tell the difference between Camel Filters in a hard pack and Camel filters in a soft pack. I could tell the difference between lit with a match and lit with a Bic and lit with a Zippo.

Glad I have no need of that habit anymore.

I can definitely relate to what you're saying.

[Rickenhands]

For an experienced fretless player who has learned to play well, it wouldn't matter if there where no lines or if the bass had lines, dots or guides that said "Place finger here".

Exactly. Each fretless bass I've played seems to have its own "thing," and an experienced player won't have a problem playing any properly setup fretless, as the experienced ear will enable he/she to hit the note regardless of what's on the fingerboard. I was classically trained on the upright bass and found even wider character differences among different basses. It matters not once the ear is trained (assuming the instrument is true).

Peace.

[rickenbrother]

Another problem is that an inexperienced fretless player gets a lined fretless bass and places his/her fingers like they are playing a fretted bass. Although the bass is properly tuned and intonated, they're terribly off. I've seen that before. Some of the same players I was thinking of in the previous post.

[cassius987]

There's been plenty of documentation to show that there is actually no way to get a lined fretless bass perfectly intonated to all of the lines. You're actually supposed to adjust the intonation to suit your preference. Just ask Gary Willis.

My first gig with a fretless was on a Steinberger with lines that I borrowed. I stared at them for the first couple of songs but sure enough using my eyeballs caused some of the notes to be sour every time (especially G-string notes) so I slowly but surely tried to let my ears make the call.

[ricaddic]

the best fretless bass I ever got to play was the Ampeg AUB-1 bass, had the feel of an upright and the sound, had the best MUH i have ever heard, but try to get one now, if you do see one for sale, you goona have to mortgage the house for it..

[cassius987]

the best fretless bass I ever got to play was the Ampeg AUB-1 bass, had the feel of an upright and the sound, had the best MUH i have ever heard, but try to get one now, if you do see one for sale, you goona have to mortgage the house for it..

I think Eastwood makes a legal copy. I played one in a store for a bit but and sorta' dug it. I have no idea how it would compare with an original, but as long as it's built to the same quality specs I see no reason why it should be that much different.

[FretlessOnly]

An early example (the one with the tailpiece assembly that extends below the body) sold on ebay a couple of weeks ago for $3,000. Word is that the re-vamped AMUB's (from later 60s, perhaps early 70s) are much better pickup-wise (and have a more aesthetic tailpiece), but I haven't seen any to speak of for sale. I'd love to get me one of those. Here are some shots of the AUB-1 that sold:

Shame the seller didn't know about stringing over the nut...

Bruce Johnson makes a modern copy (legally), which is supposed to be just fantastic and won't break the bank (as much). Nor will it command what the originals do, but at least you can play it.

Can't post the link per the rules, but if you happened to google "Johnson's Extremely Strange Musical Instrument Co." you might find it.

[ricaddic]

I have been looking at the Eastwood copies for a couple of years now, and yes they are priced very reasonable, however have only seen them online and have never got to play one, would like have a hands on experience with one before I buy one, but yes very interested in getting one.

[rickenbrother]

I love the double bass-like headstock on those Ampeg basses!

[ajish4]

Ok,

I dug out the Peavey T40 Fretless this past Sunday.

It DOES have side markers on it. We couldn't avoid it while trying to keep the costs low. It was a standard FRETTED bass that was converted Fretless.

I have to admit, seeing the lines DROVE ME NUTS. I wasn't as confident playing, so I ended up playing it safe and just played the basics.

As far as fretless goes, the RIC 4003FL is hands down more comfortable playing live.

[Tarrbot]

There's an Ampeg Baby Bass at one of the stores local here. I've been tempted to go in and play it but it looks a bit worn out.

[aceonbass]

A few years back I had one of my 4004Cii's converted to fretless. The frets were pulled, the finish sanded off, and fret lines cut from plastic on the same radius as the fingerboard were glued in place. After the fingerboard was sanded smooth, a clear epoxy with the consistancy of water was brushed on till no more would soak in, then the fingerboard was sanded smooth again. Since I did not want to spend the money and waste a perfectly good fingerboard, it has lines. since I've always sung backup vocals, I find the lines to be helpful since I can see them in my peripheral vision. That, and having played for 34 years keeps me in tune. I know I need to play ON the lines, so I do. this notion that a fretless with lines is a cheat or will make someone play out of tune because they will play between the lines like they do a fretted, is a bunch of elitist krapola. In the end, it's what sounds good that counts and not how it's arrived at. The funny thing is, just about every bass player who has played my fretless 4004 seems to be missing the lines most of the time and therefore, playing out of tune. Perhaps some bass players don't like the lines for THAT reason.

[rickenbrother]

The funny thing is, just about every bass player who has played my fretless 4004 seems to be missing the lines most of the time and therefore, playing out of tune. Perhaps some bass players don't like the lines for THAT reason.

See, you just proved my point. YOU know better, some do not.