Here is another bass player who I’ve enjoyed for years. This piece is easy on the ears and shows off his stellar phrasing and control of the fretless neck. It’s pretty short, but well worth a quick view. Enjoy!

Allegedly, this excerp originally appeared on “Master of All Trades” DVD, according to user feedback on the YouTube page. Can anyone confirm the source? I have not seen or cannot find the DVD.

Here's a fantastic article about how to set and adjust the string height on your bass (both fretted and fretless). I'm publishing the article in it's entirety as it's extremely well written.

So, to the business of setting up a Bass Guitar. Tuning aside – do start with that first! – string height is the number one adjustment on a bass. There are all sorts of reasons that string height adjustment is needed, from changing string type and fret wear to changing weather conditions and playing style.

Before we start, there’s no point adjusting the string height if the neck relief (the bow in the neck adjusted by the truss rod) is out. For now we’ll assume it is good, check out the upcoming post on neck relief for more on that. The neck pitch also needs to be right too, but I’ve yet to come across a bass where the neck pitch (angle of the neck to the body) is adjustable, so we don’t need to go there.

The two signs of incorrect string height are:

The string height, or action,  is set by the bridge saddles that hold the strings. Older basses have flat head (slot) screws that enable you to adjust the setting, newer basses tend to use allen (hex) keys. Turning the screws further in raises the action, unscrewing them (anti-clockwise) lowers the action, letting the strings get closer to the frets and the pickup(s) – something to watch, you don’t want the strings too close to them!

The shape of the bass fretboard has a slight curve to it, drawn along and imaginary radius. The bridge saddles will generally follow the same arc. Severe changes to the bridge height can affect the intonation (the internal tuning if you like), but little tweaks shouldn’t be a problem. You can check the intonation later.

The super bright out there will have realised that the string height is also affected by the nut at the other end of the string. Generally the setting at the nut is fine out of the factory. Over the years the nut can wear down, which usually means time for a new one. In a few decades of bass playing I’ve never needed one, but I’ve never owned a bass older than me, so it isn’t out of the questions. The nut is not generally a do-it-yourself change. Likewise if the nut does happen to be too high, it is time to call in an expert. Some basses dispense with nut and have a so called “zero fret” where it would have been. This is personally my preferred set up, but generally only seen on higher-end basses (although it doesn’t mean that a bass is higher end).

Fret a string at the highest fret. Obviously there’s never going to be any fret buzz here (there aren’t any more frets!), but it is the point on the neck where the action is highest. Slide down and play at the 12th fret. If there’s fret buzz here, you’ll want to raise the string, just a little. Try fretting at different frets until you are reasonably buzz free. For a lower action, there will be some buzz, so don’t fret (as it were). If you get buzz in one place but not others, this is a sign of uneven fret wear. Again, time to head to an expert to have the frets refinished.

View the original article here

According the the UK Journal, Wal Basses are now taking orders again! The UK Bass manufacturer, known for a very distinctive range of basses, had been working just on back log, but they are now taking new orders again for the first time in 3 years. Direct from Wal’s site:

"After much activity we are thrilled to announce that Wal is now back in action, with the original specifications and fanatical attention to detail as before. Electric Wood, led by Paul Herman, who worked with Wal and Pete for over 18 years, brings you the quality, the playability, the exotic woods, and the sheer excitement of these beautiful instruments once again."

Although I’ve never had the pleasure of owning a Wal personally, I have played one or two,  both fretted and fretless. They are amazing instruments with a unique sound.[quality-blocking code="us" display="1"]

 

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RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 6 STRING BLEMISH GROVER PROJECT BASS PROJECT GUITAR US $450.00

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 5 STRING SPALTED MINOR BLEMISH NECK THRU GROVERS US $399.00

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 4 STRING SUPER MINOR BLEMISH ACTIVE PASSIVE US $360.00

1972 73 VERY RARE VINTAGE BASS GUITAR THE HAYMAN 40 40 US $12,000.00

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 5 STRING MINOR BLEMISH GROVER TUNERS ACTIVE PASSIVE US $459.00

 

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RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 6 STRING BLEMISH GROVER PROJECT BASS PROJECT GUITAR C $458.05

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 5 STRING SPALTED MINOR BLEMISH NECK THRU GROVERS C $406.14

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 4 STRING SUPER MINOR BLEMISH ACTIVE PASSIVE C $366.44

1972 73 VERY RARE VINTAGE BASS GUITAR THE HAYMAN 40 40 C $12,214.80

 

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RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 6 STRING BLEMISH GROVER PROJECT BASS PROJECT GUITAR £284.68

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 5 STRING SPALTED MINOR BLEMISH NECK THRU GROVERS £252.42

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 4 STRING SUPER MINOR BLEMISH ACTIVE PASSIVE £227.75

1972 73 VERY RARE VINTAGE BASS GUITAR THE HAYMAN 40 40 £7,591.57

RAVEN WEST BASS GUITAR 5 STRING MINOR BLEMISH GROVER TUNERS ACTIVE PASSIVE £290.38

A major distinct distinction between electric bass guitars and their standard counterparts is the choice to have the guitar fretless. Some electric bass guitars have frets in a lot the exact same way as a standard guitar, with every fret a semitone apart from its neighbours.

The answer is really very easy - rather than pushing the string down against the raised fret, the string is pushed a small further and correct up against the wood of the fret board itself. In numerous methods it is straightforward to imagine an electric bass guitar working in significantly the exact same way as a double bass - which of course has no frets, and is played by pressing the strings down against the fret board, or neck. In fact, in significantly the exact same way as an electric bass guitar can be compared to a double bass in playing style, the exact same can be said for the sound high quality. A double bass produces a type of 'mwaah' sound as the string buzzes against the wood of the neck. This exact same effect can be heard on an electric bass guitar, and the sound of the two instruments is very similarly in tone and voice.

Some of the early fretless bass guitars had been produced by performers merely purchasing inexpensive guitars and prising off the frets, but right now fretless bass guitars are obtainable very simply, and they have been manufactured in number since the early 1960s.

The fact that a fretless bass guitar has no defined note points means that players can contain a wide range of effects and sounds, such as glissando - the gliding of notes, vibrato and also consist of notes between notes. Typically the finest change in note is from 1 semitone to the next - 1 fret to the next, but with out these frets performers can play the notes in between - micro notes or quarter notes, creating any number of effects and sounds that add an unusual top quality to music.

Usually to aid performers fret lines are drawn on the neck so that it is at least achievable to see where the notes are, rather than having to rely entirely on habit and judgement. Option ways consist of notches on the neck that can be felt, markings on the neck and other such techniques to aid the performer.

 As well as aiding the performer it is needed to aid the instrument, as the pressure of the metal strings against the wooden neck can trigger harm and damage. For this reason either or both of two alternatives are employed. 1 method is to use flat wound strings, so that the string lies flat rather than curved and abrasive, and the other method is to use an epoxy resin on the neck to boost its durability and strength.

 

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If you were ever thinking about jumping over to the fretless acoustic bass guitar, here's a good article that covers a few of the basic pros and cons. While I think there are a few other positives about the fretless bass that aren't listed here, the information does offer some good viewpoints.

There are numerous advantages to owning a fretless acoustic bass guitar. Listed below are 3 fundamental issues you will require to now about this type of bass guitar, and after reading this article you will locate why it is known as a fretless guitar in the initial place, if there is any unique training you will want play this type of guitar, and what makes it so unique above a typical bass.

What makes this type of guitar distinct from other people, is the truth that it has no frets to locate the notes. This means you able to play a wider range of sounds and effects with out being limited by the frets on the fingerboard, but could locate a difficult time even discovering the notes you know, due to the fact of the lack of guidance.

Nonetheless, simply because there are no frets with the strings to be pressed upon, the sound that comes out is typically softer. This means that for a larger audience to hear you will want some form of electronic amplifier. Nonetheless, there is nothing wrong with the sound other than that. It does sound a bit various, due to the fact of the softer tones, but it has it's own unique charm, that can still make individuals go crazy in the crowd, and make a fairly special piece of music from, or slightly alter one on the fly.

Now, just due to the fact you know how to play a typical bass guitar, does not mean you can just pick up a fretless bass for that reason. Simply because there are no frets to decide notes you will want to know where to place your finger to make the desired notes. Nonetheless, once you get the hang of it, you will not only be able to play the normal notes that you require to know how to play, you'll be advanced sufficient to be able to play quarter notes, half notes and notes between notes that is largely unplayable on a standard bass guitar.

 Simply because there are no frets to protect the fingerboard, had to improvise, and make it out of a harder wood, such as ebony, which is the most typical form of wood to be utilized in this manner. Due to the fact of the harder wood utilized for the fingerboard, it really extends the lifespan of the guitar, due to the fact it protects it from where from fingers and the strings. If you already own a normal bass, you can get them modified by a professional instead of having to purchase a new one. Even though, having one of every type is great, just in case you require the ease of play from the standard design.

So, the 3 primary advantages of having a fretless acoustic bass guitar, are wider range of sounds playable by the player, no note control limited by frets, in the longer neck life simply because of the harder wood employed. Now they know 3 typical advantages of having this kind of guitar, there is no reason why you can't pick one up, practice the blind playing, and play a much better overall bass guitar.

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The fretless bass guitar is a musical instrument used with electric current to create the lower rhythm for music. The plucking popping and thumping of the fingers or thumb makes the base line for the music sometimes referred to as the foundation of the music since it is often the underlying pulse of the music.

The fretless guitar is a guitar with metal spacers on the neck helping to create a smooth transition from one note to the next without the interruption of sound. The popularity of the fretless bass guitar is not anything new. The fretless basses have been used for many years due to the unique sounds they provide.

During the 1950s the electric bass guitar replaced the upright bass guitars due to having the ability to allow the sounds to become more predominant. The new wave of bass sounds hit a higher level of recognition and popularity. Of course this is all because of the mood only the sounds of the bass can provide.

There are many makes and models of fretless bass guitars with many types of materials used for the construction. The bass guitar has a longer neck than the other types of guitars with the higher pitches. The longer allows for the lower tones and cords needed for the performance.

Some of the materials used include graphite and wood. The common wood is alder for the body of the guitar with maple or rosewood for the neck of the and fret areas. Mahogany ash poplar and maple are other woods used for the body with mahogany and maple for the fret boards. The harder woods make a higher quality of sound.

The lighter exotic woods also used for the body include bubigna ovangkol ebony goncalo alves and wenge with graphite on the neck. The exotic wood increase the value of the guitars and some claim a better sound. This may be true but it is the experience of the bass player that is the true difference.