clashcityrocker Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 Hey all,been thinking of getting a cheaper bass to use in the punkier of my two bands and just wondered can you play fast heavy punk on a fretless?! And does playing one require a lot more skill as I guess the notes have to be played perfect as to be bang on the note. Have never played one as you can probs guess! Any advice would be great Si Quote
pietruszka Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 I don't see any reason why not, claypool uses one in primus and plays slap on it. As for playing them, I'd played fretted for about 10 years before so I had the muscle memory and so it didn't take a huge amount of time to get used to. Otherwise it's practice practice practice. They're great fun and I havent looked back after getting one. If you're in the north east (no boat needed now) you're welcome to try mine. Dan Quote
paul_5 Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 I'm absolutely in love with playing fretless, so much so that my fretted is up for sale. It just takes practice - like everything else really. Quote
BassBus Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 If you are going to play it in a punky band then I don't think the intonation thing will be too much of a problem. There will be too much noise going on and that will cover up any slightly out of tune notes. Just go for it. Quote
clashcityrocker Posted June 30, 2012 Author Posted June 30, 2012 Cheers for replies. I have a my MM sterling for a tech stuff and this band is simple picked punk. I saw jack Bruce last year,swear he had a fretless warwick and I really didn't like the tone,thought maybe it was due to too much treble on a fretless?! Would defo go for a lined one Quote
megallica Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 I can't think of any punk bands that have used fretless basses. Maybe there is a reason for this or maybe it would add to the unique appeal of your band. If you're considering a lined fretless, you might want to consider defretting a cheapo fretted bass Quote
BassBus Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 [quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1341081011' post='1713696'] I saw jack Bruce last year,swear he had a fretless warwick and I really didn't like the tone,thought maybe it was due to too much treble on a fretless?! [/quote] He has his own signature Warwick. I've never really liked his tone either. I don't think it's the best tone you can get out a fretless. But then he must like it and that's fine for him. Quote
chris_b Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 Playing fretless usually means that you have to clearly hear every note so you can pitch, but I guess in Punk this won't matter as much? I’d go for a lined fretless so you can at least see where the notes are even if you can’t hear them. Quote
BigRedX Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 [quote name='megallica' timestamp='1341416113' post='1718660'] I can't think of any punk bands that have used fretless basses. [/quote] Not exactly punk but all the early Police stuff was done on fretless including the rockier songs. Also David J from Bauhaus. Quote
janmaat Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 of course you can do punk with a fretless though mind you attack is not the strong side of frettless and I guess that's why they are less common in harder music. It depends a lot on what you want, and how you play it, what pickups and pickup positions they have, and active / passive / preamp makes a huge difference too. I'd say go for the defret cheapo but you gotta just try a fretless, you won't be looking back much they're just so much more expressive (which again is probably not really needed in punk) so be warned, too, you might end up playing ... uhm.... jazz.... Quote
pietruszka Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 I personally went straight for the unlined fretless route, I tried lined ones but it got me confused and I felt dizzy playing them! The offer still stands if you want to try mine in Newcastle. Dan Quote
gub Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Go for it , I played a whole gig with my unlined jazz a couple of weeks after getting it , never played one before and it worked out fine , you will be amazed at what you know without even looking ! Quote
such Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 when it comes to lined to unlined fretless basses, I feel the same thing as Lee Sklar - my intonation is noticeably better on unlined. Maybe because on lined, I "listen" to the pitch with my eyes, while on unlined I don't have that crutch. Quote
fretmeister Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Unlined here too! It was scary the first couple of times out, but I really like it now Quote
The Dark Lord Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Don't do it. Fretless is not for punk. You need a Precision. A Squier will be just fine. Plenty for sale on this forum. Quote
such Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Do it! Play fretless in a punk band for the sole reason that someone just said that it's not appropriate. Unless you agree that punk is all about rules, traditions and convenanses, then a P-bass is a wise choice. Other than that, a Jazz Bass, as the name implies is quite perfect for punk. Quote
The Dark Lord Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='such' timestamp='1341523847' post='1720606'] Do it! Play fretless in a punk band for the sole reason that someone just said that it's not appropriate. Unless you agree that punk is all about rules, traditions and convenanses, then a P-bass is a wise choice ...... [/quote] You don't look very punk Such. Punk also isn't about prissy explanations either. Fretless not punk. Quote
paul_5 Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Punk is all about smack and glue, surely! Punk is about DIY and individual expression by any means necessary. Do it, do it now!. Quote
such Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1341525217' post='1720634'] You don't look very punk Such. Punk also isn't about prissy explanations either. Fretless not punk. [/quote] Neither do you I don't, because I'm not. Still, I feel that large part of it is all about going against the grain. And if OP felt that this particular instrument choice is something he feels curious about trying, I want to encourage him. Especially loving fretless as much as I do. Peace Quote
cloudburst Posted July 5, 2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Is it not 35 years too late for a punk band? CB Quote
noelk27 Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1341525217' post='1720634']Fretless not punk.[/quote] Jah Wobble/PIL Quote
yann Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 I say why not,too! Punk (rock generaly) is about MAKING music,not going along the rules,otherways play classical! xD -Take care that the fretboard will be hard enough,or (cheapo or not) you spend your money for nothing, better look for a better than cheapo,used fretless bass that will hold the strings a beat longer... ;-) Quote
BigRedX Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1341525217' post='1720634'] You don't look very punk Such. Punk also isn't about prissy explanations either. Fretless not punk. [/quote] Please tell me you're being ironic. [quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1341526468' post='1720658'] Is it not 35 years too late for a punk band? CB [/quote] No. Quote
bartelby Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 I play in a punk-ish band and did a gig with a fretless. Sounded great, didn't use a plectrum either. If you want to do it then do it. Sod everyone who says not to. Quote
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