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Post subject: Fretless difference
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:29 am
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Hi

Is there a difference between the structure of a fretless bass vs a fretted bass, excluding the frets (of course).

That is, is a de-fretted bass the same as a fretless bass?

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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:26 am
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No reason to have some difference .


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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:32 am
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As I understand it, fretless basses often have a smaller fretboard radius, because there is no risk of fret buzz. And probably also because the upright basses they initially were modeled after have a very small radius.


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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:44 am
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arth1 wrote:
As I understand it, fretless basses often have a smaller fretboard radius, because there is no risk of fret buzz.

I don't get this one :wink:
You don't get fret buzz, but you get fretboard buzz in similar circumstances.

But to the OP: I agree with st52; there's no fretted/fretless based reason why the construction would have to be different. Check e.g. the Jazz bass vs Jazz fretless.
And: numerous fretless basses were made from fretted ones - think Jaco Pastorius, Adam Clayton etc.


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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:47 am
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Ok - thank you.

I ask as I have an old un-used bass that I might de-fret. I know people de-fret basses though just wondering if there was more to the idea than meets the eye.

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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:36 am
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Now, I'm not recommending you do the fretless mod (< that's my disclaimer: all responsibility is yours) , but here's one way: Erlewine on StewMac

The "Pastorius mod" would be a bit different; it utilizes the dust from sanding the neck mixed with epoxy to fill the fret slots.

If the fretboard is maple, it can be coated with a layer of epoxy, which is then sanded and shined.

Keep us posted if you decide to do the job.


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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:43 pm
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My Fender Fretted Jazzes, and Fretless Jazz, all have 9.5" radius boards. Other than the frets, or lack of frets, that's about it, I think. They play basically the same.

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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:53 pm
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Other than frets, my fretless looks and feels the same as the corresponding fretted model--there is a difference in playing them--due to the frets or no frets--and some difference in sound--but they are made the same.
Again--other than frets.

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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:17 am
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My son bought a fretless Fender Jazz for his first bass. I already had a Jazz bass that was fretted. The only difference I ever noticed was the frets/no frets - everything else on the two guitars was identical.

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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:22 pm
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I have been travelling for work this week and happened on a well-priced 2012 Squire fretless + case, so I grabbed it.

I played it last night - OMG, what a head case. The fretless really messed with my head.

The issue was moving my focus 3mm to right for everything I did. I have been focusing on scales for 18mths (I am new) and the associated patterns, all of which are related to the fret space - suddenly I had to go for the fret line.

The real issue was when I went back to my fretted bass - my brain gave up :-/

Am I alone with this debutante issue?


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Post subject: Re: Fretless difference
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:21 am
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The fretted/fretless playing on bass is the approximate equivalent of normal/slide playing on guitar.
Some experience the phenomenon changing between 24"/25.5" scale guitars...

You'll get it with practice - the only advice that I can give is play with your ears, not your fingers.


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