Author Topic: A non-Alembic fretless bass question... (Read 1495 times)

811952 · « **Reply #45 on:** December 21, 2011, 06:42:54 AM »

Thanks for all the good insight and discussion. By January I'll have a small hole burning in my pocket and I'm looking at a few viable options.

a) send bass to Lakland and have them install the new lined-fretless neck.

b) trade that bass (a 55-01) on the significantly better-preamped 55-02 fretless, so I don't have an extra neck just laying around.

c) ebay

d) buy parts from Carvin or Warmoth and assemble my own, to my liking.

Jimmy, I think your advice to go for as much visual aid as possible is an excellent idea. I totally get where James (malthumb) is coming from, but I often play in situations where good reference pitch is hard to find (9-piece horn band, for instance).

The irony of ironies is that there's a nice Series fretless on ebay right now. I can't afford it though, and if there is a next Alembic for me it will have a smaller, lighter body..

I figured I could unload a few instruments to generate some capital, but my 14-year-old bassist-son won't hear of it.

I am reminded just how fortunate I am to have this sort of dilemma. I have plenty of gigs, a decent job, loving family, good health and friends.

John

JimmyJ · « **Reply #46 on:** December 21, 2011, 10:12:46 AM »

John,

Yes indeed, all good problems! We're lucky guys.

Maybe you can send the Lakland to the factory and have them make it a fretless AND upgrade the pre? If you like that bass in general that may be your least expensive route.

There are only a few guys I know who play fretless exclusively. I only use it on occasion in the studio and haven't ever taken it on the road. That said, it's a great sound for certain things and maybe even certain bands. And for the fretless-only guys it's part of their musical identity...

Keep in mind that if you do get into it you may find yourself dragging an extra bass around with you. (I know ... lucky!)

Jimmy J

811952 · « **Reply #47 on:** December 21, 2011, 10:42:19 AM »

I always carry two basses with me to every gig regardless, never wanting to be that guy with an instrument problem.

Sometimes I bring three.. or four, and decide when I get there which one I'll play.. The basses seeing the most use these days are the Series Alembic, the Lakland and an '81 G&L L-1000.

A fretless would work for nearly all of the gigs I'm playing. If there's reading, that's a concern, but generally I'm playing jazz (poorly, but it's not intonation that's killing it) and blues-y rock stuff. Of course, playing fretless is all about me this time, not driven by any need that isn't internal, and hopefully the listener will be none-the-wiser unless I want them to be.

Having Lakland upgrade my preamp is an excellent suggestion. I'll ask them about it. I seriously hadn't even considered that! (forest/trees, and all that..)

John

David Houck · « **Reply #48 on:** December 21, 2011, 03:24:11 PM »

John; I'm pretty sure there's a fretless Series bass listed in the club's For Sale section.

hb3 · « **Reply #49 on:** December 21, 2011, 03:46:10 PM »

I have an amazing Rob Allen fretless...I'll try and post a photo later.

811952 · « **Reply #50 on:** December 21, 2011, 03:51:51 PM »

I'm pretty sure I can't afford that one, Dave. Beautiful instrument though. I'm surprised it hasn't sold. That thing would shame me with clarity.

Lakland will do the preamp upgrade for a price I consider reasonable, so unless something else sweeps me off my feetSQUIRREL! it looks like I'll be going to them for the neckendectomy.

John

sonicus · « **Reply #51 on:** December 21, 2011, 11:10:20 PM »

I am playing a lined non-Alembic fretless on this tune;

If I would have had a fretless Alembic I would have played it instead .
I would love a lined fretless Alembic Series I Jazz Bass with epoxy finish on the fret board !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1wcEmMyUVRg#!

hb3 · « **Reply #52 on:** December 21, 2011, 11:17:58 PM »

Nice!

sonicus · « **Reply #53 on:** December 21, 2011, 11:24:46 PM »

Thanks

811952 · « **Reply #54 on:** December 22, 2011, 06:52:20 AM »

I enjoyed that enough to share it on facebook. Nice!

John

jacko · « **Reply #55 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:13:28 AM »

Jimmy.
I don't mind dragging that extra bass along at all. Means my side of the stage looks like this...

jacko · « **Reply #56 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:15:13 AM »

oops - forgot the pic..

fretless on the left :-)

Graeme

811952 · « **Reply #57 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:39:30 AM »

That's the side of the stage I want to be on! ;-)

John

JimmyJ · « **Reply #58 on:** December 22, 2011, 09:06:07 AM »

Yes indeed, very Christmasy!
Jimmy J

gtrguy · « **Reply #59 on:** December 22, 2011, 05:59:28 PM »

Ever since I did a gig years ago in a dark club where they surprised me for my fretless song intro my turning the lights down all the way, I have taken to clipping a booklight onto the peghead of my converted Yamaha 6P fretless so I can see no matter what happens! It also puts me in my own mini spotlight!

Dave