knirirr Posted yesterday at 10:43 Share Posted yesterday at 10:43 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted yesterday at 10:56 Share Posted yesterday at 10:56 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. 1 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted yesterday at 11:04 Share Posted yesterday at 11:04 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. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted yesterday at 11:08 Share Posted yesterday at 11:08 There's no clickbait like fretless clickbait ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knirirr Posted yesterday at 11:41 Author Share Posted yesterday at 11:41 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. 1 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted yesterday at 11:56 Share Posted yesterday at 11:56 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. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted yesterday at 12:02 Share Posted yesterday at 12:02 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. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knirirr Posted yesterday at 12:14 Author Share Posted yesterday at 12:14 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted yesterday at 12:25 Share Posted yesterday at 12:25 My fretless is in my loft, along with a photo of me when I had hair. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted yesterday at 13:31 Share Posted yesterday at 13:31 " 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 .. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted yesterday at 13:56 Share Posted yesterday at 13:56 (edited) 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 yesterday at 13:58 by Norris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grooverjr Posted yesterday at 15:17 Share Posted yesterday at 15:17 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 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted yesterday at 15:32 Share Posted yesterday at 15:32 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 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie C Posted yesterday at 15:34 Share Posted yesterday at 15:34 (edited) 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 yesterday at 15:34 by Rosie C 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mediocre Polymath Posted yesterday at 15:55 Share Posted yesterday at 15:55 (edited) 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 yesterday at 15:57 by Mediocre Polymath 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted yesterday at 17:19 Share Posted yesterday at 17:19 (edited) And here I am in my new fretless player suit, way better, no? Edited yesterday at 17:24 by Hellzero 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted yesterday at 18:18 Share Posted yesterday at 18:18 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted 23 hours ago Share Posted 23 hours ago I played my headless fretless bass for a year with my previous band before any of them realised it was a fretless. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo.gwillim Posted 22 hours ago Share Posted 22 hours ago 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? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StickyDBRmf Posted 21 hours ago Share Posted 21 hours ago 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knirirr Posted 21 hours ago Author Share Posted 21 hours ago 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knirirr Posted 20 hours ago Author Share Posted 20 hours ago 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted 20 hours ago Share Posted 20 hours ago Never owned a suede waistcoat and never had a ponytail either. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted 20 hours ago Share Posted 20 hours ago 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo.gwillim Posted 18 hours ago Share Posted 18 hours ago 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! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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