As they say: "Having frets on your neck is like being married. When you play a fretless, you are courting the girls of your dreams". Great video and beautiful sounding basses!
Love this! I, like you have been playing bass for over 5 decades. I'm retired from gigging but still hit the jams. About two years ago I bought a cheap chinese fretless Jazz knock-off. Slapped a good set of flats on it and set the action low and straight. It has become my go to bass. I get complimented all the time for how the bass sounds. It takes a different touch for sure. Thanks for posting the first serious series on fretless playing that I can find. Love this channel. Keep 'em coming. Thank you sir for helping me keep my mind active.
Fantastic explanation and brilliant insights! I just finished defretting my backup bass today, I'll be assembling it tomorrow so I was looking for some tips on the "mwah", this covers it brilliantly!
Thank you very much I'm learning so much from you haven't taken up the bass guitar later in life.... I'm in my late 60s I don't really read but I like to put on Spotify and play along and just recently purchased an Ibanez 500 I believe it's an FH fretless beautiful instrument thank you so much again I subscribed
I learned a whole lot from you video that I couldn't figure out on my own. I appreciate you sharing so much valuable knowledge aaaand getting into the groove. I've caught myself thumping away for long periods of time with your videos more than any other. Gracias!
I should have catalogued where I read the following in a comment or observation. The commenter wrote that it was actually easier to play with proper intonation on an upright bass over a fretless bass guitar. If I remember right, this person wrote that they were aided by the upright’s heel. What is your observation, Mr. Stinnet? The custom build that you broke out at 11:35 largely remind me of the Tony Franklin signature. The main difference is, Tony’s fretless models don’t have markers or inlay on their fingerboard.
I want a fretless wal really bad but that is a pipe dream for now. Anyway I'm keeping an eye out for something else that might have a tone that works for me.
Thank you, this is just the video I have been looking for. I was setting up my beautiful old Vantage. I lowered the action and was asking mysrelf; does it sound right, is it too low? This helped me a lot. There is not too much out there on fretless setup.
Jim will you cover, especially with larger number of strings, your opinion on note choice. What I mean - you mention the characteristic sound of fretless is dependent on curvature and string friction. So with a 5 string I can play 5th fret B = E, open E or 7th fret A = E etc etc. First two are same pitch but radically different sound on fretless - so allows different emotion - I use this to alter the expression but not sure how formal a technique this is - thanks to you I no longer await the imminent arrival of the music police :-). Looking forward to your course.
Wow,you made a beautiful bass.did you do the finish?I've built a few but they can't compare to yours but it's fun.At 65 I've only recently bought a fretless and my only regret is waiting so long after decades on fretted instruments.I built a fretless to mixed results but that peaked my interest.
That was fantastic! Thanks so much. I do have a question... If I had an inexpensive fretless j bass copy with similar organic materials, Fender J-bass replacement pickups and set it up as you outlined in this video (with coated neck), do you think the sound would differ greatly from the Jaco P bass reissue?
Glad you like it. Yes, all components go into producing the sound and feel. I will answer you truthfully, and in depth. I do not often offer in depth answers. People don't want to hear it and love to argue. I am far beyond arguing. :) It is a fallacy, to think as many people do, "I'll buy a cheap bass, upgrade the parts and get the same sound as that which comes from a much higher quality instrument. " In the old days bass making was not so consistent, and you find a good and bad basses just by luck of the draw. Today, the different level of bass models are quite consistent. Virtually no such thing as "I found a good one" (cheap bass). Also it is natural for players to think that "their" bass is "the best." The world is full of players who mod up their basses and tell themselves that "my inexpensive bass sounds just as good as that expensive one." That said, all that matters is if you like it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I would never consider telling a player what his ears hear, or doesn't hear. As the old saying goes, "Hamburger tastes great, until you've had steak."
I'm very sorry, cos I love your stuff, but Ash is not a soft wood at all. . its quite hard . . . . Soft woods dont get used in electrics, really. However, Ash is one of the best woods for bodies, imo . . my favourite . . . Bottom end to burn :)
I admire your honesty. Not many RUclipsrs admit they are making videos because the just want to talk about them selves and show off.
As they say: "Having frets on your neck is like being married. When you play a fretless, you are courting the girls of your dreams". Great video and beautiful sounding basses!
Simply the best-and we are lucky to have these videos. You are missed.
An amazing and clear explanation, as always the best teacher ...
Bless your soul Jim thank you for everything you taught us
..play, rest, repeat.👍
Great video thanks.
That quilt being you looks great. My wife is a quilter so over the years I've acquired an eye and appreciation for them...anyway...back to the bass☺
My wife, Jamie is a master quilter. ;)
Agreed! It looks very cool.
@@vidachusma6890 Thanks. I will give here cudos.
The third bass is quilted too!
Even though I have a bruised knuckle in my right hand, this video lesson motivates me to go practice a little. More videos please...
Love this! I, like you have been playing bass for over 5 decades. I'm retired from gigging but still hit the jams. About two years ago I bought a cheap chinese fretless Jazz knock-off. Slapped a good set of flats on it and set the action low and straight. It has become my go to bass. I get complimented all the time for how the bass sounds. It takes a different touch for sure. Thanks for posting the first serious series on fretless playing that I can find. Love this channel. Keep 'em coming. Thank you sir for helping me keep my mind active.
You are welcome. Glad you enjoy.
The stinnet custom bass omg wow! A dream
awesom lesson...
Love the sound of the bass you made
I'm sorry I never met you, sir. You are a generous, wise, talented, and very good man.
Fantastic explanation and brilliant insights! I just finished defretting my backup bass today, I'll be assembling it tomorrow so I was looking for some tips on the "mwah", this covers it brilliantly!
Glad to be helpful.
Thank you very much I'm learning so much from you haven't taken up the bass guitar later in life.... I'm in my late 60s I don't really read but I like to put on Spotify and play along and just recently purchased an Ibanez 500 I believe it's an FH fretless beautiful instrument thank you so much again I subscribed
SWEET! I'm a newbee bass player, I found a second hand fretless...I love the sound ;)
I learned a whole lot from you video that I couldn't figure out on my own. I appreciate you sharing so much valuable knowledge aaaand getting into the groove. I've caught myself thumping away for long periods of time with your videos more than any other. Gracias!
Gald you like em. You are welcome.
Looking forward to this!
A wise choice in neck vendor. Going back to fretless again.
Love that shirt!
great video ...thanks so much
The grain in those necks and fingerboards is really gorgeous
Thanks. I agree. ;)
I should have catalogued where I read the following in a comment or observation. The commenter wrote that it was actually easier to play with proper intonation on an upright bass over a fretless bass guitar. If I remember right, this person wrote that they were aided by the upright’s heel. What is your observation, Mr. Stinnet?
The custom build that you broke out at 11:35 largely remind me of the Tony Franklin signature. The main difference is, Tony’s fretless models don’t have markers or inlay on their fingerboard.
Love the mouse 🐁 it has a nice porkish sound. Might have ya get me one
Great stuff fella. Your bass sounded the best to me and you seemed to enjoy playing it the most.
Thanks. Glad you like it.
Great teaching. Timing Techniques and especially the production and explanation of tone.
Thanks.
I want a fretless wal really bad but that is a pipe dream for now. Anyway I'm keeping an eye out for something else that might have a tone that works for me.
Thank you for sharing Sir✌
You are welcome. This is just the beginning of a large project for me.
Thank you, this is just the video I have been looking for. I was setting up my beautiful old Vantage. I lowered the action and was asking mysrelf; does it sound right, is it too low? This helped me a lot. There is not too much out there on fretless setup.
You are welcome.
Jim,
What would be the pros and cons of playing a fretless bass?
Thanks for doing this project and for all your other videos.
You are welcome. ... the same as playing any other instrument. Takes practice to play well, but sounds great when you can play well.
Thanks for this video! Any tips on how to make a fretless electric sound closer to an upright?
No, they are totally different animals. Listen and choose the sound you like the best.
Jim will you cover, especially with larger number of strings, your opinion on note choice. What I mean - you mention the characteristic sound of fretless is dependent on curvature and string friction.
So with a 5 string I can play 5th fret B = E, open E or 7th fret A = E etc etc.
First two are same pitch but radically different sound on fretless - so allows different emotion - I use this to alter the expression but not sure how formal a technique this is - thanks to you I no longer await the imminent arrival of the music police :-). Looking forward to your course.
A string is a string. They all sound different the further you go up the neck. Just practice and play what sounds good to you.
Wow,you made a beautiful bass.did you do the finish?I've built a few but they can't compare to yours but it's fun.At 65 I've only recently bought a fretless and my only regret is waiting so long after decades on fretted instruments.I built a fretless to mixed results but that peaked my interest.
Glad you like it.
Excellent. You have the right mix of competence, personality and well-explained knowledge. Is that bass you were playing the custom shop model?
Thanks. Yes,
That was fantastic! Thanks so much. I do have a question... If I had an inexpensive fretless j bass copy with similar organic materials, Fender J-bass replacement pickups and set it up as you outlined in this video (with coated neck), do you think the sound would differ greatly from the Jaco P bass reissue?
Glad you like it. Yes, all components go into producing the sound and feel. I will answer you truthfully, and in depth. I do not often offer in depth answers. People don't want to hear it and love to argue. I am far beyond arguing. :)
It is a fallacy, to think as many people do, "I'll buy a cheap bass, upgrade the parts and get the same sound as that which comes from a much higher quality instrument. " In the old days bass making was not so consistent, and you find a good and bad basses just by luck of the draw. Today, the different level of bass models are quite consistent. Virtually no such thing as "I found a good one" (cheap bass).
Also it is natural for players to think that "their" bass is "the best." The world is full of players who mod up their basses and tell themselves that "my inexpensive bass sounds just as good as that expensive one." That said, all that matters is if you like it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I would never consider telling a player what his ears hear, or doesn't hear.
As the old saying goes, "Hamburger tastes great, until you've had steak."
@@realbasslessons9356 Thanks, I appreciate the honesty. I'd better start saving... :-)
Brilliant video. 👍 Have you ever played a Gibson EB or EB1? If so what do you think?
Thanks.
Jim would you recommend someone getting into fretless for the first time get a bass with the fret marker lines ?
Brett. Sure, makes sense.
Do you use the black tape wraps on the mouse? Would flat wound Infelds hurt the board?
Yes, I like the tape wound.
I want a fretless, but I'm not a fan of "mwah"... 🤔
I'm very sorry, cos I love your stuff, but Ash is not a soft wood at all. . its quite hard . . . . Soft woods dont get used in electrics, really. However, Ash is one of the best woods for bodies, imo . . my favourite . . . Bottom end to burn :)
That jazz bass is rattling all over the place!!
Sounds awful!