Fretless bass set up question.

[blackfbiv]

Now that the Fb bass is set up and tuned to BEAD, I was considering pulling the frets and going...well...fretless.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...just kidding.

Seriously tho'. How is string height properly set-up on a fretless? Seems to me that you would want the strings fairly close to the board. The other bassist at the church(who just picked up some kinda Cort) says that you want them set up high, high, high to approximate the sound of an upright.

This makes no sense to me.

Even as a bassist I have almost zero experience with fretless basses.

Of course all of a sudden a decent 'Slammer' series (that was very nicely de-fretted) shows up at the local dealer for an el cheapo price. (I should buy that sucker just for fun!)

Jus' curious.

Dion

[marcnorth]

The fretless I have has pretty low action. Thats how it was set when I got it. I don't think it would sound any different if it were higher.

I like the action as low as possible, so for me it's cool.

[mc2]

Generally, lower action on a fretless if you're going for that "mwahh" sound.

I would think you would have higher action only if you are trying for a rockabliiy upright sound...but then again, you probably just buy an upright so you can loosen the E to get that floppy slap effect they use.

If you need a fretless. I'll trade you for your FBIV. I have a fretless 8-string that is "mwahh" heaven (pardon the church inference.)

[blackfbiv]

Kinda what I figured... having a bass set up like a bow and arrow from Wal_Mart would seem nothing more than tiring to play me thinks.

Getting the stand up tones is going to be more about strings, amp set-up and playing style i should think.

thanks

dion

edited to add: the Fb is pretty safe where it is right now than-ye kindly, sir.

dion

[tomteriffic]

Low and fast is where I go with my fretlesses.

Consider something like stainless steel ground-rounds. You don't give up much string brightness that way and you won't chew up the fingerboard either.

[Submariner85]

set up like a bow and arrow from Wal_Mart

Now that's funny!!

[killerteddybear]

I set my fretless string height in the middle range. I don't want the strings to buzz (which is all 'mwah' is!) until I drive them hard. I've never tried it, but it seems to me a compressor would help even out the dynamics so that the buzzy bits aren't overpowering.

Tone? Your right hand position will take you from a percussive nasal tone (pluck near the bridge) to a fundamental-heavy upright tone (pluck over the end of the fingerboard; try to use the side of your thumb). Of course, you're not playing with a pick...

Everybody should have (at least one) fretless to play around on!

[blackfbiv]

I've actually become a bit of a flatwound advocate. (Thanks Pam)

Mostly because my technique sux and I don't sound as noisy with 'em.

I play mostly with the fingers, but occasionally I need to pick on the more driving stuff. Just doesn't have the same attack with my fingers.

I should go buy that bass. Just for laughs...

Dion

[Tres Aardvarks]

My fretless is set about the same as my fretted ones, maybe a bit lower. NEver really thought about it much.

[lonote049]

I have the action on my fretless MIJ Fender Jazz set medium low. I always use flats (currently Rotosounds) and play with my fingers at the end of the fingerboard. It gives me a close enough emulation of an upright for my needs.

[Rock City Guitars]

Fretless setup is alot different than a fretted setup. I try to get the neck STRAIGHT, being very aware not to create any backbow. The nut will need to be lower than a fretted bass as well, so you don't have intonation issues in the first positions, and you don't have to struugle to "fret" the string. You want the action to be comfortably low and growly, but not so low that the notes choke. As far as setting the intonation, I use a steel rule to "fret" the string at the octave line or markers, being careful to get it dead on. I then compare that "fretted" note to the harmonic and move the saddle accordingly. Alot of people overlook intonating a fretless, because it's...well...fretless! The problem is that the notes end up in the wrong places on the board if you don't.

If you can setup a fretted bass to your liking, you can do a fretless as well. It just takes a little time and experimenting.

Just be VERY carefull when re-slotting the nut to the correct height. It's super easy to take material out, it's a little harder to put it back!!!

Corey