Chris2112 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Well, this week I sold my Warwick Streamer (it's sitting in it's case now, packed up and ready to be posted), which leaves me with just my Fender Jaco Pastorius fretless jazz bass. The money I've made from selling the Streamer I've decided will go towards a new car, when I get round to selling my Impreza. At first, I wondered if I really should have a fretted bass in the ranks, but then I thought "well why should I?". I can't do my usual slap bass tricks but over the past couple of days I have found it rather enjoyable just making the fretless bass work on every track (Level 42 aside...until I get another bass!). The joy mainly is in copping that Jaco sound, getting the back pickup on solo and playing close the bridge. I haven't yet found a song where that doesn't sound fantastic. I had a blast along with the Shadows and Light version of [i]Free Man In Paris[/i] by Joni Mitchell. That is the one to listen to; outageously burpy bass tone and nicely busy playing in a really energetic band setting. You know, this imposed fretless exile could be the best thing I've done in ages. It's sparked a new creative approach, I can't think why I haven't done this before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 And here is my muse... [IMG]http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv52/Baryonyx2112/thebass020.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debwilliams Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 I love playing my fretless bass. It just feels more natural to me. I suppose its because I started off playing a double bass a long time ago. "Home" is playing an unlined, fret free neck. Who needs 'em? Well that would be me when I see a P bass that catches my eye! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Lovely bass, I'd quite happily ditch fretted playing if I had one of those sat on my guitar rack! Wasn't it Jaco that called frets 'speed bumps' anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witterth Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 (edited) I find playing fretless Bass focuses the mind some what, If you get me, and I kid myself I sound like Pino P(Ha Ha!!) and do some highly inappropriate slidy things all night. However, I allways bring a fretted bass as well, to every gig, for Rocky,Plec or slappy tunes.Then to be honest a very much needed fingerboard skim on my Fretless, due to roundwounds and being slaphappy taught me a (£60) lesson. I'm not helping much am I? P.S. Cars will allways be a more expensive hobby than Bass playing, that will earn you a few dollars. but then. you know that too dont ya? (I'm rather partial to a super Sierra myself) Edited July 30, 2012 by witterth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 You've sold a bass to finance a new car? With me, over the years, it's been the other way about! I find myself picking the fretless fellas up more than the fretted guys. Practising intonation without looking at the fingerboard is something I find rather focussing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I'm selling my fretted 5 string and doing the same thing - I only ever play fretless now. It's the way forwards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Wow, this is as surprising to me as when Grand Wazoo defected to Dingwall! You seemed to be a total fan of the more innovative 80s designs like Status and Kubicki, I'm amazed to see you playing a 50 year old design. Nice choice of bass though, I always keep my Status basses but I'm just as happy playing my Fenders. [IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/forum%20stuff/Fretless.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='debwilliams' timestamp='1343603733' post='1752705'] I love playing my fretless bass. It just feels more natural to me. I suppose its because I started off playing a double bass a long time ago. "Home" is playing an unlined, fret free neck. Who needs 'em? Well that would be me when I see a P bass that catches my eye! Enjoy. [/quote] Pretty sure that's where I get it from as well - started learning double bass at the age of 13, 27 years later got back into bassw playing and now exclusively play 5 string fretless. Does everything I want it to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I'm actually about to do the opposite - I'm probably getting rid of my fretless because I just cannot seem to get away from all the cliches inherent to the instrument & I'm just really bored of that sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debwilliams Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1343637320' post='1752834'] I'm actually about to do the opposite - I'm probably getting rid of my fretless because I just cannot seem to get away from all the cliches inherent to the instrument & I'm just really bored of that sound. [/quote] Ooooooh, what might you be getting rid of Rhys? Just wondering if I could help in any way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1343602241' post='1752688'] ...I can't do my usual slap bass tricks...[/quote] What a terrible shame! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Just dipping my toes into fretless too, since getting that neck off dave V, gotta say I am enjoying meself hugely at moment. Cant see me gigging it until at least a coupla band rehearsals though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1343637320' post='1752834'] I'm actually about to do the opposite - I'm probably getting rid of my fretless because I just cannot seem to get away from all the cliches inherent to the instrument & I'm just really bored of that sound. [/quote] Eh? IMO the cliches only surface when one thinks "it's fretless so I have to do slides etc." If you play your "fretted" repertoire on a fretless, but play it just as you would on a fretted, you may be surprised! ...and thinking of slides, I generally prefer the sound of a fretted glissando over that of a fretless portamento, so it's for the songs with slides that I switch to fretted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1343646200' post='1752981'] ...If you play your "fretted" repertoire on a fretless, but play it just as you would on a fretted, you may be surprised![/quote] +1 There was a guy playing a fretless at a jam night which sounded so much like a fretted I didn't notice at first. Not sure if it's for me, though. I get the occasional 'senior moment' where I need to look at the fingerboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted July 30, 2012 Author Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1343635463' post='1752808'] You seemed to be a total fan of the more innovative 80s designs like Status and Kubicki, I'm amazed to see you playing a 50 year old design. Nice choice of bass though, I always keep my Status basses but I'm just as happy playing my Fenders. [/quote] I still love my 80's designs, but I listen to lots of 80's electronic music (Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Erasure etc etc). The organic fretless bass sounds so free in the mix when I play along with them. Take a big, open sounding Kraftwerk tune with perfect intonation on the electronic instruments. I can glide around on my fretless bass almost like a solo instrument, sliding up to pitch, creating new sounds. There is space to move there, where on a fretted bass it may sound a little 'stiff' in the same setting. Or take a busy, heavily arranged Depeche Mode or Erasure track. I can play with a firm right hand and often you'd never know I was playing a fretless but I may add a little vibrato that gives it away. But again, the organic, burpy fretless sound gives a human touch to the cool sound of the synthesisers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 The mwah - tell 'em about the mwah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 (edited) [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1343646200' post='1752981'] If you play your "fretted" repertoire on a fretless, but play it just as you would on a fretted, you may be surprised! [/quote] I do that & I far prefer the sound of my fretted basses to be honest. Edited July 30, 2012 by RhysP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='debwilliams' timestamp='1343645401' post='1752960'] Ooooooh, what might you be getting rid of Rhys? Just wondering if I could help in any way... [/quote] Zon Legacy Elite fretless four string (the one on the right of my avatar) - £1500 & it's yours..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatboter Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Been playing my fretless Wal for a while now during gigs (sorry about the costume) and if I had to choose between a fretted or a fretless bass I would go for fretless.. there's the melancholy, the freedom, the madness and most of all : the lack of routine since you have to pay attention every time you play a note..good luck with the bass ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 That sir, is a beautiful bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gub Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1343674631' post='1753575'] That sir, is a beautiful bass. [/quote] +1;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 If I didn't play in a rock band or perhaps mostly played on ballad-type tunes then I'd be happy as a fretless player as well. Best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1343686716' post='1753828'] If I didn't play in a rock band or perhaps mostly played on ballad-type tunes then I'd be happy as a fretless player as well. Best of luck to you. [/quote] Check out some stuff I played on last year: http://soundcloud.com/andagain/sets/demos-july-2011/ - rock band with token ballad-type tune, and 60% fretless :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 After 30 years of fretless playing I've stopped and don't plan to go back to it any time soon. I just got fed up with all the 'special effects' - you know - slides and all that. I much prefer frets at the moment. Never thought I'd say that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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