Fretless bass? Why???

[rolls1392]

Dim question really, but as I'm new to this low end stuff,
What are the advantage/downside of a fretless bass over normal?

Just curious really. Thanks.
R

[monquixote]

The advantage is that you aren't restricted to just the fretted notes so you can play a smooth gliss between notes.
You also get a nice mellow jazzy tone that's a bit more like an upright.

The disadvantage is they are harder to play and you get less attack for percussive rocky stuff.

Listen to this and you will know all you need to know:

[fretmeister]

I look at my fretless as a different instrument. I play it very differently.

[musophilr]

You also get less people asking you for a 'go' on your bass if it's fretless.

[fretmeister]

My fretless is a Zon Hyperbass. Anyone tries to go near that and I'll have them shot!

i do fancy an old fretless jazz though.

[musophilr]

fretless jazz

now you're talking !

[Lustycourtier]

Have you ever heard the intro to 'the voice' by John Farhham?

[erictheweary]

The disadvantage is they are harder to play and you get less attack for percussive rocky stuff.

And yet they do pop up in some classic rock - Bad Co, Heart and, IIRC, The Firm. Also responsible for some of the most hummable bass lines in history - Pino Pallidino's work with Paul Young.

There's a tv interview with Joni Mitchell where she talks about making the change from being a solo artist to playing with a band and hating bass players who went thump thump thump over her songs. The big change for her was discovering Jaco who could play counter melodies and with much less attack on the note. Various of her subsequent bass players also then had to play fretless.

It's a harder and more specialised thing I guess but superb in the right hands.

[Sporky_McGuffin]

Also you can make funny rubber-band noises with them.

[frankus]

Bass started off fretless.. the precision was so called because it had frets