Questions about fretless

[darkstar01]

honestly, for me learning a fretless instrument was just a matter of learning your positions and using your ear more. and I know that doesn't help you at all. but I just remember my first upright teacher would kill me when I looked at the fingerboard; there's nothing there, stop looking and listen. it's all muscle memory after a while, but that attitude helped me get better at fretted electric, too.

[Glynn]

I don't play fretless but if I were to tackle a fretboard without any markers I would use a technique I have used for fretted for a long time - I have a small hand so have always used all my fingers, including the little one.  I use a lot of shapes within an octave span, that is using my 1st finger for bottom note and my little one for the top note.  All fits in well in-between and with the thumb at the back of the neck for solid support then the hand position is firm.  As has been said, then using ears for intonation and not looking at fretboard, I would hope to make the transfer to fretless a little less painful!  Try playing scales, especially chromatic to get every interval there. Glynn

[keith_h]

I have sidelines on my fretless. I did this as I like the look of a blank fingerboard. I have found that I really don't use the markings anymore. If I am off a touch my technique has developed such that I make the adjustment by rolling my finger to bring it to pitch.  
 
As for strings I use D'Addario Chromes. They took a week or two to loosen up but have sounded great since then. I'm still using the original set installed when the bass was built.  
 
Keith

[benson_murrensun]

How about using those FretFX LEDs on the side of the fingerboard? They make them for fretless fingerboards, that is, they put the LEDs where the frets would be rather than in between fret positions (like side markers would be on a fretted instrument).

[pauldo]

As others mentioned, tape on the side works great.
I used a black 'pin stripping' tape on my upright in the same positions as Nick mentioned. My muscle memory and technique are advanced enough now to where I do not need to look to see where I am (plus my ear will certainly tell me when I missed my position!). But for starting out it was agreat help having the visual, and the black tape is not easily seen by those in the audience.
 
I have a bazillion year old set of Fender Black Tapewounds on my fretless electric bass. They are low on the mwah factor but they don't chew up the fingerboard (unfinished)like roundwounds (high mwah factor).
 
good luck.

[svlilioukalani]

I put FretFX on my gigging fretless. I love those things.
 
I would stay away from a fretless with no dots or marks on the neck. You can always put your own dots on the neck. But why waste your time. Just get a fretless that is ready to go. Sound like a big risk to get a bass you can't hear up close, and has the issue of no marks. There are many basses out there, a good fretless you can afford will come along.  
   
I play fretless and upright. I find that knowing your position on an upright bass is very different then an electric. Yes, the fret board is 41 inches on an upright, but the neck on an ends at A. So there is only a span of 7 frets to deal with befor the thumb comes over the top of the neck. Thats how they can do it with no marks.  Now thumb positions that a different story.  
 
Which is why I use white out on the neck of my upright.

[hydrargyrum]

I also use white-out, but just for side dots.  I have a mid-range Yamaha classical guitar that came without fretboard inlays or side dots past fret 5.  After a year or two the white-out side dots will wear off, but then I just reapply.  I don't really even reference them much anymore, but they provide reference when I play with a capo, or have indulged in too many artisan spirits.

[tmoney61092]

With all the basses I own, I never tried them out, just listened to demos and read reviews/comparisons to basses I have played.  
 
The seller said the fretboard is unfinished so looks like I won't be using roundwounds :-/, any other good strings that don't tear the fretboard up on an unfinished neck?
 
~Taylor

[sonicus]

Taylor ,The flats that both  Nick and I mention are nice  . Thomastik
and Pyramid Gold  Flats .

[jacko]

find out what the finger board is made of Taylor. If it's ebony it'll last for years using roundwounds. I've used DR roundwounds on my fretless rogue since 2005 and apart from some polishing there's no marks - certainly no grooves. Just be sure to oil it regularly.
 
Graeme

[tmoney61092]

Yea thanks Wolf, just trying to see all my options. Graeme, I went westone.info and the creator claims it to be ebony, I then went to a review on the website that says it's rosewood, and looking at the pictures it's definitely rosewood, how bad of an idea is it to use roundwounds on rosewood? Will it just eat through the fretboard quickly? Looks like I'll be trying the Elixirs on my Gibson  
 
~Taylor

[afrobeat_fool]

Even if it is Ebony I would stay away from the round wounds.I think they chew up the fingerboard. Especially as a new player. You will be bending strings and fingers to get intonation. That sideways movement will grind thru the wood. I did that to my first Kay bass. After 2 yrs the ebony had grooves.That was with flats! No matter what you do, have fun and let your ear be your guide.  
 
Nick

[tubeperson]

For strings, try D'Addario Half rounds or ground rounds.  You still retain much of the high end, without gouging the fretboard.

[svlilioukalani]

I used GHS Brite Flats Bass Strings. Till I tried Alembic strings. But bright flats won't eat the neck like round wound.

[slawie]

 
 
(Message edited by slawie on December 02, 2010)