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Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:16 pm
by Fuzzy Picklez
So I'm looking to pickups a bass. I've wanted something like this for the longest time.
None have popped up used though.
So, I was browsing craigslist the other day and saw this thing.
It's a 1971 MIJ Ibanez bass.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg ... 7748.html/
It's pretty much prefect, other than being fretless. I haven't even seen a fretless in years, let alone played one.
Am I an idiot for still wanting to buy it?
I'm supposed to go try it out in a few hours.
Thoughts?
TL;DR: A great deal on my prefered style of bass has come up, but it's fretless and I'm a n00b. WHAT DO
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:25 pm
by bronzetalon
I have one bass and it's fretless...they are a bit harder to play but not by much and they are a lot of fun. I would say go for it you can always get a replacement neck or something.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:32 pm
by devnulljp
Nah, fretless is cool. Not hard to play either is it's got lines. No lines, and you'll need a good ear, but other than that it's fine.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:37 pm
by Gone Fission
I've seen very competant bassists work very hard to go from fretted to fretless without constantly looking at the training wheels (lines). The ones with the easiest time either played upright as kids or are just freaks of nature who have really on pitch and intonation.
If the price is right, you could pick up a fretted neck to bolt onto the body.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:14 pm
by Adoom
It all comes with time. Fretted or not. However you learn is however you learn. I reckon it's a good idea. There's nothing special about fretless instruments. They train your ear pretty quickly if you're into it. Keeps you from relying on patterns and whatnot, engages your ear. If you like it, don't be discouraged. Fretless instruments take no more time than any other to learn. They may seem daunting, but you'll know when you're out of intonation. Then you'll learn to correct it. Just like you would know if you were on the wrong fret.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:17 pm
by Fuzzy Picklez
Adoom wrote:It all comes with time. Fretted or not. However you learn is however you learn. I reckon it's a good idea. There's nothing special about fretless instruments. They train your ear pretty quickly if you're into it. Keeps you from relying on patterns and whatnot, engages your ear. If you like it, don't be discouraged. Fretless instruments take no more time than any other to learn. They may seem daunting, but you'll know when you're out of intonation. Then you'll learn to correct it. Just like you would know if you were on the wrong fret.
Sweet.
Thanks. I have played guitar and sang forever, so I've got a pretty good ear. This is pretty encouraging.
Also, thanks everyone.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:23 pm
by Adoom
That's 90% of the battle man. Looking forward to hearing how you get on. With fretless instruments you can do some interesting things as well. Keep messing around and you'll figure stuff out.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:31 pm
by theavondon
My first bass was a fretless, and the only thing that did to me was made me really good at playing fretless. So, if you're okay with that.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:31 pm
by CaptainWampum
I think fretted basses sound better, but honestly I don't think there's a drastic gap in difficulty between them.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:44 pm
by Adoom
theavondon wrote:My first bass was a fretless, and the only thing that did to me was made me really good at playing fretless. So, if you're okay with that.
I like you.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:48 pm
by theavondon
Adoom wrote:theavondon wrote:My first bass was a fretless, and the only thing that did to me was made me really good at playing fretless. So, if you're okay with that.
I like you.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 3:52 pm
by rfurtkamp
Get it, you'll kick yourself if you don't.
If you hit something wrong, slur it and pretend you're rockin'.
Hell, if you hit something right, do it.
About the only thing you'll miss is fret noise.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:55 pm
by the_carl
Also, if you really like the bass but find that you can't adjust to the no frets thing, you can just pick up a fretted neck. That's what I did with my second bass, and I'll switch the necks once in a while if I want a different sound.
So yeah, get it. Fretless basses sound awesome and not enough people play them.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:30 pm
by Rygot
I have one bass. Parts bass, its fretless.
Good shit.
Re: Fretless bass bad idea for first bass?
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 12:37 am
by Fuzzy Picklez
Got it.
It needs some loving, but it rules.