4 Strings Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I wondered about the point of it too. Anyone know any others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) I lent my fretless to a friend. He proceeded to take out a pick and play I told him 'NO' and took it off him. It may just be my personal opinion, but on no account should you play (my) fretless with a pick! /rant Edit: added the personal pronoun Edited August 6, 2011 by Blademan_98 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Why not? There's no rules set in stone with anything, maybe you could make it a 'thing' people start doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='risingson' post='1328143' date='Aug 5 2011, 01:08 AM']Why not? There's no rules set in stone with anything, maybe you could make it a 'thing' people start doing.[/quote] +1 Just don't tell my friends I'm not a pick nazi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMech Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Sounds like the bass guitar equivalent of eating a veggie burger with cutlery carved from the bones of innocent lambs. One just defeats the point of the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I play my fretless with a pick sometimes - so what? I've seen Colin Edwin from Porcupine Tree play his Wal fretless with a pick too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Sting did a few times i think. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Tony Levin plays Sledgehammer on a fretless with a pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='ZMech' post='1328156' date='Aug 5 2011, 01:42 AM']Sounds like the bass guitar equivalent of eating a veggie burger with cutlery carved from the bones of innocent lambs. One just defeats the point of the other.[/quote] What if the lambs were guilty, would that be ok? I don't see the problem, personally, it's a different sound again. Not everyone says "three bags full, Jaco!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='ZMech' post='1328156' date='Aug 5 2011, 01:42 AM']Sounds like the bass guitar equivalent of eating a veggie burger with cutlery carved from the bones of innocent lambs. One just defeats the point of the other.[/quote] Sssshhhhh, don't tell Morrissey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='ZMech' post='1328156' date='Aug 5 2011, 01:42 AM']Sounds like the bass guitar equivalent of eating a veggie burger with cutlery carved from the bones of innocent lambs. One just defeats the point of the other.[/quote] Or you could just make your picks from the bones of innocent lambs. Then you could show off your lamb chops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I tried it the other week and it does make for an interesting sound on a fretless bass but I'm not sure I'm accurate enough yet. I most use my digits on my fretted instrument and a pick only when the song requires a more agressive attack; switching to the fretless bass for more soothing noises. As to a complete ban on personal choice from the thought police...I don't think so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Blademan_98' post='1328133' date='Aug 5 2011, 12:59 AM']I lent my fretless to a friend. He proceeded to take out a pick and play I told him 'NO' and took it off him. It may just be my personal opinion, but on no account should you play fretless with a pick![/quote] You are entitled to, and I respect your opinion. However, I dont understand it. With music, and playing it, nothing is ever written in stone. Before Jaco ripped out the frets on his jazz bass, I'm sure the general consensus of the day was, "on no account should you play fretless". If people want to experiment, and in the process they like what they hear, then what's the problem ????? As I said, you are entitled to [b]your[/b] opinion, but dont force it on others. Edited August 5, 2011 by Coilte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny B Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I sometimes use a pick with my fretless, for no other reason than it gives me the sound I want for that song. I also sometimes use my fingers on the fretless - I don't slap though, because that doesn't give me the sound I want. No rules. (except that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Surely more of the 'fretless sound' is dependent on what's going on with the fretting hand than the plucking hand? I don't see how using a pick 'defeats' anything, it won't sound much more different than fingerstyle v picking on a fretted instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='Lenny B' post='1328282' date='Aug 5 2011, 09:23 AM']I sometimes use a pick with my fretless, for no other reason than it gives me the sound I want for that song. I also sometimes use my fingers on the fretless - I don't slap though, because that doesn't give me the sound I want. No rules. (except that)[/quote] I have slapped my fretless a few times, I liked it, so did she.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairyhaw Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Don't see the problem. 50% of the time when I play fretless, I use a pick. Adds variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Didn't Barry Adamson (Magazine, The Bad Seeds) and David Jay (Bauhaus) both play fretless basses with picks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 as a stance against 'Pick Nazism' I'm going to play fretless with a pick in BOTH hands. That'll show 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Sledgehammer Fretless, pick, massive compression = one of the most awesome bass sounds of all time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny B Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='Dave Vader' post='1328371' date='Aug 5 2011, 10:17 AM']I have slapped my fretless a few times, I liked it, so did she....[/quote] And who am I to argue with Les or Pino? It just doesn't suit my band. But I'm loving pick+fretless+octave - going to be doing some recording in the autumn, will stick a clip up when I've got one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny B Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='51m0n' post='1328407' date='Aug 5 2011, 10:40 AM']Sledgehammer Fretless, pick, massive compression = one of the most awesome bass sounds of all time[/quote] Plus Octave - don't (never!) forget the octave.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='51m0n' post='1328407' date='Aug 5 2011, 10:40 AM']Sledgehammer Fretless, pick, massive compression = one of the most awesome bass sounds of all time[/quote] Was there some octaver in there too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic_Groove Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='Clarky' post='1328378' date='Aug 5 2011, 10:23 AM']Didn't Barry Adamson (Magazine, The Bad Seeds) and David Jay (Bauhaus) both play fretless basses with picks?[/quote] Barry doesn't play fretless (just nice use of effects) But Davy Jay yes used a pick on his Fless a lot. Some of Carles Benevent's stuff is on fretless & he uses a pick. Rule 1 --- There are no rules!!! B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 [quote name='Sonic_Groove' post='1328467' date='Aug 5 2011, 11:20 AM']Barry doesn't play fretless (just nice use of effects) But Davy Jay yes used a pick on his Fless a lot. Some of Carles Benevent's stuff is on fretless & he uses a pick. Rule 1 --- There are no rules!!! B[/quote] Isn't this fretless playing by Barry Adamson? If not, sure sounds like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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