Author Topic: A non-Alembic fretless bass question... (Read 1485 times)

811952 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2011, 11:49:20 AM »

Good lord, he's lyrical!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AYz62UxLPg

Thanks! I'd never heard of him before but will try to dig more of his stuff up.

John

811952 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2011, 11:52:19 AM »

And this.

http://youtu.be/RzR7zzAAwgQ

Wow.

eligilam · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2011, 12:36:57 PM »

I'm no super huge upright fan by any means, but +1000 on Edgar Meyer being an absolutely unreal player. He can play faster in the thumb position than a lot of electric guys can play in their upper register...and his bowing work is phenomenal(Circus of Regrets off of Bela Fleck's Tales from the Acoustic Planet album is my personal favorite).

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2011, 02:36:33 PM »

Edgar is the greatest.
I prefer to have lines on my fretless fingerboard. I need all the help I can get!

keith_h · « **Reply #19 on:** December 14, 2011, 03:25:32 PM »

I've have side lines and dots. It helps me impress folks that only see the clear finger board. LOL
As far as my fretless playing I tell folks that I hope they enjoy semitones.

In all seriousness I have found the markers to be very helpful when I drift or make large jump. But for normal playing I find I adjust my position by ear.

Keith

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:27:58 AM »

Always looking while indulging.....just like sex!

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:30:08 AM »

Always looking while indulging.....just like sex!

David Houck · « **Reply #22 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:58:27 AM »

John; what kind of fretless are you playing now?

811952 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 15, 2011, 08:06:59 AM »

An '88 Carvin LB75. Nice bass that was mine for years, until I inadvertently traded it to one of my brothers for a power amp some years ago (don't ask). For several years I played a fretless Jazz Bass as well, until the truss rod started coming through the fingerboard..

Pitch gets a little better every time I play it, and I'm getting past a head cold which probably means the ears are opening up a bit as well. Lines will be fine though. I had similar misgivings when I had to finally get bifocals, but I can see stuff so it's all good..

When I dropped-in on The Mothership in September, Mica threw that Rogue fretless at me and it absolutely rekindled a passion.

In addition to getting a fretless neck for the Lakland, I've looked into just buying a kit from Carvin for not much more $$, but the 35-inch scale on the Lakland sure makes that B-string speak..

John

pauldo · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2011, 11:34:53 AM »

Keavin -
I know that bass - and the guy playing it!! :-D

malthumb · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:23:43 PM »

My preference would be sidelines on an Alembic bass. Like to have as much ebony board showing as possible.

My second order preference would be no lines, but with side dots (that's what I have now). My first fretless was a Lakland 55-02 fretless. As you have found out, Lakland only makes with lines.

Being the masochist that I am, I now play an unlined fretless with black strings on an ebony board. Play in tune or else! (it has side dots)

rami · « **Reply #26 on:** December 19, 2011, 01:21:42 PM »

Lines are cool, as long as the side dots are set BETWEEN the lines rather than on the lines. When they're set on the lines, it always throws me off. Otherwise I'd just rather do without any lines.

hb3 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 19, 2011, 03:51:57 PM »

Right -- you mean the line is the actual note. Same here.

keith_h · « **Reply #28 on:** December 20, 2011, 04:52:11 AM »

Like this?

Keith

rami · « **Reply #29 on:** December 20, 2011, 08:43:44 AM »

That's fine, but I'd prefer them more centered.