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Posted (edited)
  On 27/09/2023 at 22:47, tauzero said:

 

It took a year for my previous band to notice.

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Interesting as I get comments at pretty much every gig about how great it is to see someone playing a fretless, I love the sound of your fretless, you sound like Pino/Mick Karn and at one venue, the bar staff have renamed our band as 'Tim Shez and the Fretless Bass Player', much to our singers annoyance 🤣 

Edited by Linus27
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Posted

This is odd - I’ve just had the same talk with @lee650 - I’ve just done a remote audition for a band I’d class as indie/pop and thought “I’ll use the fretless”.

 

After that was successful, I think I’ll use my fretless more.

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Posted

I use a Fender Tony Franklin fretless, doubling on NS EUB, in an Americana/Country/Rock band, and like Beedster I actually find it easier to play fretless over fretted.

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Posted
  On 22/10/2023 at 23:42, MrCrane said:

You can also add Rod Clements of Lindisfarne onto the list.

 

 

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A personal influence and a lovely guy to boot. Back in the very early 2000's I almost bought that fretless Overwater from Rod, but young children and common sense prevented me from going ahead with the purchase. 

Posted

I use this some of the time, often alternating with  fretted bass from gig to gig.  EMGs work really well and sit well in the mix.  I has been noticed once or twice too by the crowd.

 

JBSFL01.thumb.jpg.75e1378ee6cb773e6a8aeaa9e359c3d6.jpg

 

JBSFL04.thumb.jpg.32692db6d64a3457b0382faed3eaa979.jpg

  • Like 3
Posted
  On 19/09/2023 at 19:38, Waddycall said:

Sounds like we might be getting the old band back together. Trouble is I’ve recently decided to focus on fretless so sold both my fretted basses. I don’t really want to get any more gear especially as they’re an unreliable bunch. 
so who plays fretless in a rock/pop band and how do you find it in the mix? 

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I play - Ibanez GWB 1005. No problemo !

Posted

I’ve always been impressed with Jaz Lochrie’s fretless playing. Expressive and always in the groove.

 

A different style is Johann Asmundsson, who has held the bass role in jazz/funk band Mezzoforte for decades. Also a great fretless player.

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Posted

Didn't Bill Wyman play the first several Stones singles etc on his defretted bass?

I personally think it's a non-thing. Is it just bc people expect you to slide around a lot? I did a rehearsal with my Jazz fretless a while back and no-one noticed at all - dunno if that's a good or bad thing🤣

But the Jazz with flats gave a really good low-mid punch sound, we were doing a mix of rock-ish and soul stuff. I think it works really well if you avoid the fretless cliches and get the intonation solid.

My current Sandberg with chrome flats at bridge under strings makes a really excellent soul/funk bass.

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Posted (edited)

Fretless was everywhere in the 80s.  Now it's all boring fretted fenders.

 

Do it! You may start a revival.

 

Edited by NickA
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