Those dang side dots have moved AGAIN

[woodsgirl]

So I got my new 4003fl BB, and it took me a few minutes to realize that the dots had moved, rather than that I had gone insane. I held it up to my to my 2005 4003 and, sure enough, the dots are now where the frets would go, instead of where the fingerboard dots are.
So now, they are a cm off from where they used to be. Wow, is that annoying. I am sure I will get used to it.

Now I have 3 fretless Rics, and each has different side dots. Does anyone else find this annoying or do you just not look at them?

[jps]

The way it is on your new BB is how dots on a fretless should be. I'll take the other ones off your hands (for free of course, why should this cost you anything ) so you can bond with the BB. BTW, you pay the shipping!

[cjj]

Aw heck, I'll take 'em and pay the shipping!


I'm still pretty new to fretless, and mine's a 2008 so the dots are where the frets would be, but I find I really don't look at them much at all. Maybe if moving a big jump up or down the neck. I guess I'm just so used to the scale length on a Rick (after 30 some years, I should be) that I find I'm pretty close just putting my fingers where I think they should go...

But then again, you haven't heard me play...

[winston]

I read the thread title and thought.........how can dots move? Then I realised you just have too many fretless basses. I'll also take one off your hands if it really is a problem.

[woodsgirl]

I read the thread title and thought.........how can dots move? Then I realised you just have too many fretless basses. I'll also take one off your hands if it really is a problem.

I even forgot one, I have FOUR fretless rics and one with frets.

OK so you guys are saying the dots on other brands are where they are on the BB>? That is so messed up. None of them are where they are on a fretted bass.

I like the one with the every fret dot on the fret. I am ok with the one that are where the fingerboard dots go, but this just looks like they should be every fret.
and they aren't that far off on the BB, just enough to mess me up. What is a gal to do?

Too many basses you say? How can a girl have too many basses? It is an illness/I get that. You all seem to have it, too!!!!!

[woodsgirl]

Aw heck, I'll take 'em and pay the shipping!


I'm still pretty new to fretless, and mine's a 2008 so the dots are where the frets would be, but I find I really don't look at them much at all. Maybe if moving a big jump up or down the neck. I guess I'm just so used to the scale length on a Rick (after 30 some years, I should be) that I find I'm pretty close just putting my fingers where I think they should go...

But then again, you haven't heard me play...

Just so long as you aren't the guy in that youtube video we were all laughing at for years.~~~~

[rickenbrother]

Aw heck, I'll take 'em and pay the shipping!

I'll take 'em, pay the shipping and throw in a kitten!

[jps]

Just so long as you aren't the guy in that youtube video we were all laughing at for years.~~~~

This guy?

[cjj]

Aw heck, I'll take 'em and pay the shipping!

I'll take 'em, pay the shipping and throw in a kitten!

The bidding is starting to get fierce!


And as for being the guy on YouTube, I have no idea how to get a video onto YouTube...

[woodsgirl]

So I got my new 4003fl BB, and it took me a few minutes to realize that the dots had moved, rather than that I had gone insane. I held it up to my to my 2005 4003 and, sure enough, the dots are now where the frets would go, instead of where the fingerboard dots are.
So now, they are a cm off from where they used to be. Wow, is that annoying. I am sure I will get used to it.

Now I have 3 fretless Rics, and each has different side dots. Does anyone else find this annoying or do you just not look at them?

Check this out. Just too close. Very hard to switch instruments. Ripping hair out. Not taking any more kittens, either~~!!

[woodsgirl]

So I got my new 4003fl BB, and it took me a few minutes to realize that the dots had moved, rather than that I had gone insane. I held it up to my to my 2005 4003 and, sure enough, the dots are now where the frets would go, instead of where the fingerboard dots are.
So now, they are a cm off from where they used to be. Wow, is that annoying. I am sure I will get used to it.

Now I have 3 fretless Rics, and each has different side dots. Does anyone else find this annoying or do you just not look at them?

Here they are. Compare. They are so close, you forget which neck you are on.

[jps]

Hmm, i guess not all the dots have moved! I take it only the side dots are in the correct position, with the fingerboard dots still in the place they would be with frets on the neck?

[woodsgirl]

Hmm, i guess not all the dots have moved! I take it only the side dots are in the correct position, with the fingerboard dots still in the place they would be with frets on the neck?

the fingerboard dots are the same on all of them, but the side dots are different. I have no idea where the CORRECT position for them would be? Here we have the BB on the left and a MG fretted bass on the right. This is all good. The problem is the other one. Do they normally show you where the fret would be or where your finger goes on other basses. This shift of a cm is pretty crazy, it sees to me.

[jps]

Do they normally show you where the fret would be or where your finger goes on other basses.

Yes, that is how it should be unless there are fret lines inlayed into the fingerboard, something that Joey is very fond of.

...runs for cover...

I would make some photos of my Martin Keith fretless Elfin 5 but since there is nothing on the fingerboard to show relative position of the dots to where you'd place your fingers, it wouldn't mean anything, anyway.

I'll show you a photo, anyway (I forgot I had these) ; you can see the dots along the side of the neck by the body, finger positions 15, 17, 19, and 21. I prefer unadorned fingerboards, it shows off the wood better, in this case Ziricote.

[woodsgirl]

I am with you on the unadorned fingerboard. My upright has nothing and works fine.
Maybe the most practical thing to do is to change the one bass that is off, to the new dot pattern. Is it really true then that this was a mistake at Rickenbacker? If so, that seems odd for a company like them. Someone wrote they felt sorry for people who bought the ones from the 2000's that were off. Well, I am one and I have been learning how to play on it and you get used to it. So, now I get one that is correct? Yikes. Oh well, I don't look down that much anyway.

That is a gorgeous bass.