The ol' how many frets debate?

[spiltmilk_2000]

So I'm getting a custom build specced and trying to decide on the number of frets to go for. The question is this... Is there any benefit to having 24 frets other than the extended range? It's unlikely I'll play that high although guess for jazz soloing purposes it's a bonus but I'm wondering if the longer fretboard extending further into the body offers any tonal difference or improved stability etc?

The bass is going to be a pj style super jazz with ostentatious fancy woods (because I'm worth it!) so I don't think 24 frets will look peculiar... Any thoughts??
Thanks!

[MacDaddy]

Can't comment on construction benefits, but my gigging basses have to have 24 frets due a bass solo I do in one of our songs.

[Cato]

Personally I think 24 frets makes more sense, giving you a full two octaves.

Having said that I'm currently mainly playing a 20 fret jazz at the moment with no major issues, although I do find I miss the 21st fret more than I thought I would. I do more little runs and fills up the dusty end using that E than I realised.

Edit: There no point in comparing tonal variations between my 24 fret and 20 fret basses because one of them is a carbon graphite neck through active headless Status the other is a bolt on passive Jazz - there's a lot more differences going on between them than the number of frets.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Cato

[Machines]

As many as you need to play what you want.

[Shambo]

As few as you need to play what you want.

[fretmeister]

Due to a slight OCD issue I like even numbers.

20,22,24 are all good.

[discreet]

Very personal choice. I like 20 frets. But then I like four strings too, so...

[Machines]

On 5 strings I prefer 24, but 21 as a minimum on everything else. I like being able to complete the octave on the E, however rarely I need to.

[mattbass6]

This is such a personal preference type thing. I have had this chat with a few buds. I do prefer the 24 frets, though I never go beyond the 20th. I just like the extended feel it gives but, I recently got a 21 fret bass and it is just great. I don't change basses live so if I am taking one or the other out with me, there won't be any adjustment to make.

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1469114368' post='3095888']
Due to a slight OCD issue I like even numbers.

20,22,24 are all good.
[/quote]

19 on my Mustang - prime number!

[paul_5]

None for me!

seriously though, 20 frets is fine, but occasionally I'd like to have that extra 'E' at the top. Very, very occasionally.

[discreet]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1469117372' post='3095926']
20 frets is fine, but occasionally I'd like to have that extra 'E' at the top. Very, very occasionally.
[/quote]

If you play [i]avant garde[/i] music, you can just fart at the appropriate point. Or jazz.

[PaulWarning]

I've only just counted mine, 20, but I never go higher than the 12th and very rarely have to higher go than 4th

Edited July 21, 2016 by PaulWarning

[neepheid]

Ach, 20 is fine. 21 seems more logical to me if only to complete the E to E thing, but it's not necessary for what I play.

[spectoremg]

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1469118757' post='3095946']
I've only just counted mine, 20, but I never go higher than the 12th and very rarely have to higher than 4th
[/quote]The voice of reason!

[Kev]

Totally personal preference. Bear in mind the fret positions all over the neck vary slightly (if same scale length) depending on the number of frets.

I don't play anything with less than 24, for the only reason that it is most comfortable for me. I find it odd playing on the 12th fret so far down the neck on 20 fret types etc.

[Muzz]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1469117525' post='3095930']
If you play [i]avant garde[/i] music, you can just fart at the appropriate point. Or jazz.
[/quote]

Fart a top E? Blimey, that's some control, that is...

[discreet]

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1469122507' post='3095983']
Fart a top E? Blimey, that's some control, that is...
[/quote]

Nah, if it's avant garde - or jazz - it can be ANY old note.
Or no note at all.
Or a John Cage fart, i.e. silent but deadly. Lasting 4'33". Now that [i]would [/i]take some doing.

Edited July 21, 2016 by discreet

[Luulox]

I have 25 on mine because there was space.

[spectoremg]

[attachment=224013:Conklin bass.jpg]

Now we're talking!

[ras52]

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1469121659' post='3095979']
Totally personal preference. Bear in mind the fret positions all over the neck vary slightly (if same scale length) depending on the number of frets.

I don't play anything with less than 24, for the only reason that it is most comfortable for me. I find it odd playing on the 12th fret so far down the neck on 20 fret types etc.
[/quote]

Good point. Also there's the impact on the body - more frets typically means deeper cutaway.

[spiltmilk_2000]

Hmmm... Interesting no one has any thoughts about increased sustain. I assumed the neck extending further into the body would give greater vibration transfer between body and neck resulting in more sustain. Turns out I'm overthinking it as usual ;-)

[paul_c2]

I remember going past the 15th fret once. I think it was in 1987.

[Beer of the Bass]

I like the feeling of having more room for my right hand with less than 24 frets, but the lack of a high E note on a 20 fret bass does occasionally annoy me. So 21 or 22 seems a happy medium.

[BigRedX]

I don't find a lot of use for the octave E on the G string. If I'm up at that end of the neck I'll generally be doing something that involves playing a tune on the G string while keeping a drone going on the D. Therefore octave D (19th fret) is important to me. If I'm going any higher I'll be wanting 24 to get another G.

However more frets means that the heal is moved further away from the 15th fret so it is actually possible to get to the 19th fret much more easily.