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Post subject: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:12 pm
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Can anyone advise me please; I have a real strong fancy to try playing a precision bass, I have my eye on a couple with a view to buying but they are fretted as well as frettless; the one I fancy the most is frettless will this be more difficult to play than a fretted neck bass, bearing in mind I've never played either.


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:01 pm
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Don't Be A Dufus. Buy Both. Case Closed. Thread Complete.

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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:29 pm
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Yes, get one of each! Image
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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:45 pm
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I agree, get one of each. The frets were what made it a Precision Bass, because you did not have to be accurate with your fingering to get the proper intonation. But fretless is a real joy to play.

To answer your question, yes, fretless is harder - but it is way cool and gives you license to music you cannot get from a fretted instrument.

I play fretted 100% in public. But I am probably down to 50% in practice sessions. Simple stuff I have confidence in, tougher stuff, well, I am still learning.

I hate to say buy a fretted bass, but it is easier to get right. But at least play both first because the feel is so different. I kind of wish I would have started fretless, but that was not an option back then.

Forgot the pics. Here is one of each that I enjoy.

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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:07 am
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Both is cool if you can do it--otherwise--fretted is easier to learn at first-but fretless has an attraction for me.
I don't have one yet.
But I will be getting one.

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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:24 am
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Thanks very much for your opinions I'll bear them in mind.


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:24 am
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Thanks very much for your opinions I'll bear them in mind.


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:08 am
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I play fretted 84.769% of the time :)

However, I love having my fretless at the ready and sometimes, I like to go all Tony Franklin on things, and do my rock bar band gig with a fretless. It's a nice "challenge" at times when the cover tunes get old and it always always always turns heads. For a bassist, variety and tonal appropriateness is key. I have finally (after 30+ years of playing) achieved a near perfect stable. I will be buried with my 08 American Standard (far left), it is my go to bass. The Jazz is great and fun to have (an 11 American Standard). The 60th Anniversary (the burst) is still in the trial period for me. I love it, but it's not becoming MY bass yet. And finally, the Tony Franklin Fretless is amazing and a very versatile rock fretless bass.

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IMG_9610 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 3:32 pm
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zontar wrote:
Both is cool if you can do it--otherwise--fretted is easier to learn at first-but fretless has an attraction for me.
I don't have one yet.
But I will be getting one.


Well said! Fretted is easier, fretless requires much attention and work. It will make you a better player.

Get both!


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:49 pm
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No kidding around, the Fretless is a very smooth action. With the right strings on, you really can slide up, or down the neck with no excessive, unwanted scraping sounds.

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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:07 pm
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If you are just starting out, then I would opt for fretted. Much easier to learn on.


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:17 pm
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I have both,.... it's good to have both a fretted & fretless Bass,..... as has been said here,.....playing Fretless will make you a better player,.....you'll have to listen more to what you're doing thus improving your ear,...I find my playing style changes a bit when playing fretless,..... in some ways I feel free-er. :)


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:52 pm
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You'll never get a good sound with any fretless electric bass that has a single P style pickup. You need the J at the bridge along with it, or you'll have an overpowering tone, especially on lower octave notes A-F. There's a reason the fretless Jazz is so much more popular.

If you go fretless, maybe buy an electronic tuner along with it for reference.


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:29 am
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Just saw this! Defititely have to try one! Vintage Modified's are pretty good. The fretless Jazz sucked, this may be better.

http://www.fender.com/squier/series/vin ... -sunburst/


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Post subject: Re: Fretted or Frettless?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:49 am
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oxfan wrote:
Just saw this! Defititely have to try one! Vintage Modified's are pretty good. The fretless Jazz sucked, this may be better.

http://www.fender.com/squier/series/vin ... -sunburst/


I saw one listed on Sweetwater Sound's Guitar Gallery a couple of weeks ago.

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