Fretless bass anon opinion

[knirirr]

I saw this anon opinion earlier today:

 

Quote

The fretless bass is long overdue a cultural reappraisal. For too long it's been ridiculed as something played by ponytailed session musos in suede waistcoats and double denim. Snooty music snobs, enough.

 

Is that an accurate representation of how they are viewed?

 

BTW, I got one out at a rehearsal a few months ago, prompting the saxophonist to comment that fretless bass guitars appeared to be prevalent in Oxfordshire. Perhaps they are popular everywhere.

 

 

[oldslapper]

No he’s right, they’re only permitted in Oxfordshire. 
I tried to play one in Sussex but was arrested for wearing a suede waistcoat in a built up area. 
Shame really. 

[Hellzero]

It's now harder for me to have a ponytail, but I've been obliged to burn my suede waistcoat alongside my double denim and to repent on my knees once.

[Happy Jack]

There's no clickbait like fretless clickbait ...

[knirirr]

31 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

There's no clickbait like fretless clickbait ...

 

Indeed, though I think that fretted bass clickbait is long overdue a cultural reappraisal.

[uk_lefty]

I wish I could grow a pony tail without having to buy a pony. 

 

Most people don't even know what a fretless bass is, even muso types. I'd just ignore anyone with that kind of opinion. I don't tell the drummer what type of snare to use/ share my opinion on metal Vs wooden snares... I do have an opinion on bagpipes though.

[fretmeister]

I've had 3.

 

Status Energy

Defretted Fender mex Jazz

Zon Hyperbass.

 

I liked the sound but I never got comfortable enough to play them live. Possibly because I was singing as well and I want to concentrate that much!

 

I'd have another J type or PJ though.

[knirirr]

15 minutes ago, uk_lefty said:

 I don't tell the drummer what type of snare to use/ share my opinion on metal Vs wooden snares...

 

 

Quite!

 

Quote

I do have an opinion on bagpipes though.

 

Unfortunately playing those one tends to meet extreme fans or haters (I have given them up for the moment).

 

[TimR]

My fretless is in my loft, along with a photo of me when I had hair.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

" Not suitable for metal" "Don't use a pick "  "Most fretless players don't use lined fretless " These comments were in bass guitar mags back in the day .
How times change ..

[Norris]

Still being folically well endowed I tend to flaunt it. Tie it up in a ponytail? Never! *

 

 

 

 

*  Unless I'm spannering or something, but then I'll probably wear a cap

Edited December 23, 2024 by Norris

[Grooverjr]

Suede waistcoat and double denim? That's rodeo wear isn't it? Is rodeo popular in Oxfordshire? Does a fretless tend to buck uncontrollably on a strap so you have to hold on for dear life? Those videos of Japan on Old Grey Whistle Test where Mick Karn is moving and playing with such grace in a well cut suit seem to suggest otherwise, but I'm not a clickbait writer

[fleabag]

How very dare you.

Rodeo is banned here in Oxfordshire, and for good reason.  People kept getting bucked off.

 

Fretless, on the other foot, is encouraged in this county.  I have one that i play live, but keeping within the law, i'm obliged to play it while wearing clown shoes,  a pink sports bra,

and a welder's mask.

 

No suede and dub den  here, i'll have you know

[Rosie C]

3 hours ago, TimR said:

My fretless is in my loft, along with a photo of me when I had hair.

 

Surely the photo should be ageing horribly, while you retain a youthful countenance? 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by Rosie C

[Mediocre Polymath]

I mostly play a fretless bass (headless even, for double points) and have very long hair, but yeah, no ponytail. In my experience the ponytail is the preserve of the heavy metal dudes and theatre technicians. I generally wind my hair up in a bun when I'm soldering or using power tools. Less flappy.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Mediocre Polymath

[Hellzero]

And here I am in my new fretless player suit, way better, no?

 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by Hellzero

[steve-bbb]

7 hours ago, knirirr said:

I saw this anon opinion earlier today:

 

 

Is that an accurate representation of how they are viewed?

 

BTW, I got one out at a rehearsal a few months ago, prompting the saxophonist to comment that fretless bass guitars appeared to be prevalent in Oxfordshire. Perhaps they are popular everywhere.

 

 

curiously i purchased a preloved fretless from an oxford basschatter

 

what gives with the oxford thing then 

[tauzero]

I played my headless fretless bass for a year with my previous band before any of them realised it was a fretless.

[Jo.gwillim]

I learnt bass on a fretless, i gigged fearlessly with bad intonation for a few years , but then changed bands and went fretted when my new band mates winced. I love my fretless bass but have lost my gigging nerve. Would a ponytail help? 

[StickyDBRmf]

Fretless 4 string, fretless 8 string, fretless Chapman Stick. Ponytail. Place of residence - Middlesex (County, New Jersey)

I don't know what double denim is, but I wear a leather jacket on occasion.

[knirirr]

3 hours ago, steve-bbb said:

curiously i purchased a preloved fretless from an oxford basschatter

 

what gives with the oxford thing then 

 

I don't know...

But, at both jams I attended this month someone either brought a fretless bass guitar or promised to do so in January.

[knirirr]

1 hour ago, Jo.gwillim said:

I learnt bass on a fretless,

 

So did I. Recently, I played a tape of my first gig to a teacher, who thought that the intonation was good but the choice of notes ... less so ...

No ponytail involved, but I'd have one if I could get the rest of my hair back to go with it.
BTW I always try to drop in to Machynlleth when passing.

[Steve Browning]

Never owned a suede waistcoat and never had a ponytail either. 

[Piers_Williamson]

2 hours ago, Jo.gwillim said:

I learnt bass on a fretless, i gigged fearlessly with bad intonation for a few years , but then changed bands and went fretted when my new band mates winced. I love my fretless bass but have lost my gigging nerve. Would a ponytail help? 

You didn't start out in Bauhaus did you?

 

 

[Jo.gwillim]

2 hours ago, knirirr said:

 

So did I. Recently, I played a tape of my first gig to a teacher, who thought that the intonation was good but the choice of notes ... less so ...

No ponytail involved, but I'd have one if I could get the rest of my hair back to go with it.
BTW I always try to drop in to Machynlleth when passing.

Always keen to natter to a bass chatter who's passin!