When the bass player shows up with a fretless

[TopDog]

When the bass player shows up with a fretless bass I get nervous!!!

Last night the bass player in the band I'm working with shows up with fretless bass. Now he's a good player but I thought to myself this could be a disaster knowing good it could potentially be a tuning nightmare.

Overall he did alright, he played in tune but couple of times I heard some funky stuff and not in a good way. But I'm the new kid on the block in the band so I'm not saying anything but I prefer he not use it.

Anybody have a similar experience or feelings on this.

[Lance]

Would he blow you crap for playing a fretless guitar? Do the other band members dictate who uses what gear and when?

[mj07]

Originally Posted by TopDog

Now he's a good player

Then trust him. If it sounds bad on a few occasions, mention something to him.

[guitguy28]

I think it would be totally fair for you to mention to him, as diplomatically as possible (or maybe mention it to the rest of the band),
that if he hasn't mastered playing your band's music on the fretless, he really shouldn't be using it. Or if he's 95% there, break it to him that he needs to
improve his fretless chops a little bit more.

To the "what if you brought a fretless guitar" question- if the guy sounds out-of-tune and crappy on fretless guitar, he shouldn't be using it with the band. If he sounds KILLER on fretless, and the rest of the band is into it, then it would be ok.

[boldaslove1977]

Originally Posted by Lance

Do the other band members dictate who uses what gear and when?

the other guys in my band BANNED my ocd.

[Shnook]

Interesting sound...fretless bass...however I generally can't stand it.

[coreybox]

I normally use a fretless bass, even when playing material not typically associated with it.

They're not difficult to play in tune, but only if you can hear yourself! I'd be hesitant to bring one to a (rock) gig if I was not familiar with the venue or not doing my own monitoring.

[Michael Hunter]

I played a "gig" - if you can call it that! - once as the guitarist for a Blues Brothers tribute band that played on a float in a local parade. (And yes, it was about as hokey as it sounds, complete with stupid hats, sunglasses, suit, etc.) The bass player, a friend of my dad's in at least his late 50s, used a fretless bass which he had absolutely no business playing while simultaneously jumping up and down on a moving float while making "rock star" gestures and generally being an ass.

I haven't had much patience for fretless bass, or those who think they can play it, since.

[MikeSRV69]

If you can play the fretless perfectly in tune, then it's fine. If not, then leave it home. I have not met anyone who plays one in tune, however, even excellent bassists with jazz/upright backgrounds. They all THINK they can, though, and that's the problem. Then they start drinking. lol I love the sound of fretless bass when done right, but I love the sound of an in-tune band even more. YMMV.

[hudpucker]

I have a pal who plays fretless bass.

He even played it when he and his band hosted a now defunct open mic night.


He sounded fine. Good ear, fine intonation.


I have another buddy who plays standup bass for Jack Scott. His intonation is impeccable as well.


Only poor craftsmen blame their tools...

[dan-electro]

If your bass player has a good ear, the fretless really shouldn't negatively impact the program. Clearly, it is more useful in a jazz context than any other... Jaco Pastorious comes to mind... for those guitar players who don't think bass can "rock" as much as guitar... go listen to some Jaco!

For jazz, as an alternative to a bulky upright, it is a boon.

If your group is playing precise rock music, fretless seems a little silly, unless the guy is a monster player. Sort of like a guy in a hair metal band showing up with a Gibson L5. Sure, you could do it, but why?

At the end of the day, if it sounds really off/bad, say something. Some "toys" are better left in the man cave for private noodling / jam sessions.

[chrisr777]

I play a fretless Jazz. Of course the frets are marked, they just aren't there. If he does a good job, and the rest of the band has no problem with it, why worry? I'm sure he will improve with time and the funky stuff will disappear. And there are some Floyd songs you just can't do with a fretted bass.

[DC1]

it makes me order a latte!





I try not to tell others what instrument to play, OTOH, they should be able to groove with the tunes and hear when they are not...


dc

[Dubious]

my bass player switches back and forth between fretted and fretless.. doesn't bother me in the least.

[neil99]

Was it a gig or a practice???