gsgbass Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 [quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1397826769' post='2427731'] I've bought some nylons but I haven't made my mind up to change as I like the bright sounds with the nickels it came with a few weeks back. I do love an upright sound though. [/quote] I know what you mean. I used the D'Addario Chrome Flats before going to the Nylons. The longer I play Nylons, the more I like them. I even like them on a Rickenbacker 4003. With Nylons, a power thump sounds very bassi. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/XMk9wvQ.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I borrowed a friends vintage Jazz fretless for a rehearsal strung with nylon tapes... was nice, easy on the fingers. Just love my rounds too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 [quote name='bh2' timestamp='1397287686' post='2422453'] Yes... We're warming up for The Egg at a party next w/e... should be a blast! [/quote] Small world, their bass player Fish was in my band before me, (Funkbomb) he still deps for me when I can't make a gig. Really Nice guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Ah... I will probably see him tonite then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Although my current fretless is surplus to requirements, I have no regrets at all from trying it out. There are plenty of decent inexpensive fretless basses on the market, including Squier Jazz and Precision models, and usually loads of used examples to choose from here on BC. Personally I wouldn't go straight for a new one, as you stand to lose quite a bit if you don't get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I picked up a used fretless on here a few years ago. I hardly ever play it now but it certainly developed my playing having it and I don't regret buying it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 In the hands of a tasteful player a fretless bass will suit most tunes. There just aren't enough tasteful players around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Missed The Egg last nite... didn't finish our set till 1.30 am so they must have turned up after that... oh well, I'll get to see them next time maybe. Played this bass of the evening... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 If you are already a Stingray player, then get it and keep it - even if you only ever noodle with it at home it will pay you back in spades. If you are not already a Stingray player then it might be a good idea to follow advice already offered in this thread and get something cheaper as a tryout. There is a problem with the tryout strategy, though - if you don't get on with it then it might not be so easy to tell whether the fretlessness is the problem or whether you simply don't get on with that kind of bass. For that reason it would be good to choose something that you are already familiar with, e.g. if you are au fait with Jazz basses then get a cheapie fretless jazz. But whatever you decide to do with your money, you should definitely give fretless a go, for all the reasons stated above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I was going to get a RAY 34CA Fretless for about £700 but glad I bought the Ibanez for £274. Can always go up market if I really like fretless but the Ibanez is a very good fretless IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 [quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1398086089' post='2430237'] If you are already a Stingray player, then get it and keep it - even if you only ever noodle with it at home it will pay you back in spades. If you are not already a Stingray player then it might be a good idea to follow advice already offered in this thread and get something cheaper as a tryout. There is a problem with the tryout strategy, though - if you don't get on with it then it might not be so easy to tell whether the fretlessness is the problem or whether you simply don't get on with that kind of bass. For that reason it would be good to choose something that you are already familiar with, e.g. if you are au fait with Jazz basses then get a cheapie fretless jazz. But whatever you decide to do with your money, you should definitely give fretless a go, for all the reasons stated above. [/quote] This is the reason I am considering the ray. I have three basses at the moment and would actually prefer to streamline things. I have a US SUB 5 which is rapidly becoming my favourite bass, but my passive fenders suit the majority of what I do in my band. Ideally I would change my Mike dirt p/j for a fender jazz with a p neck pickup, that way I keep the sound but get the feel of the jazz that I prefer. Alas I can't get rid of it regardless of how hard I try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Sounds like you should just throw caution to the winds and treat yourself, then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 If I can throw a question in here please. If going for fretless, is it better to go 5 string? I ask because I'm much more at home on a 4 but 4 strings seem hard to find. Is there a reason for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1398287250' post='2432614'] If I can throw a question in here please. If going for fretless, is it better to go 5 string? I ask because I'm much more at home on a 4 but 4 strings seem hard to find. Is there a reason for this? [/quote] If you play 4 fretted then go same make and model 4 fretless and your muscle memory is in the right place on the fingerboard. I'm surprised anyway that you say fretless 4 strings are hard to find. At GAK for example almost all the fretlesses are 4 string. Edited April 24, 2014 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgbass Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 It's the way it goes for me switching from my Am. Std. Fretted Jazz, to my Am. Std. Fretless Jazz. When I do play the Fretless, it's like having no speed bumps in the way on the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1398333682' post='2432939'] If you play 4 fretted then go same make and model 4 fretless and your muscle memory is in the right place on the fingerboard. I'm surprised anyway that you say fretless 4 strings are hard to find. At GAK for example almost all the fretlesses are 4 string. [/quote] Good point about the strings. Unfortunately I'm a bit fussy. I want an unlined fb and passive elects. Also I'm looking for a something a bit different to that which Gak seem to carry in stock. Thanks all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1398377522' post='2433607'] Good point about the strings. Unfortunately I'm a bit fussy. I want an unlined fb and passive elects. Also I'm looking for a something a bit different to that which Gak seem to carry in stock. Thanks all the same. [/quote] Yes, I wasn't suggesting you go to GAK. It was merely one example of 4-strings being much more common than any other number of strings - in any case. Edited April 25, 2014 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Adams Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Having been politely asked by "last year's" band to play fretted (is it my intonation?, I asked, no, it's just the accuracy came the reply from the guitard!!!) I was reluctant to inflict "this year's" band with my fretless curse, but tonight in rehearsals I did, and what a liberating experience. I have finally come home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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