Fretless Bass Guitars

Fretless bass Guitar

A fretless bass guitar is the same as a regular bass guitar but does not have the frets on the fingerboard. On a fretless bass the vibrating string length goes from the bridge all way to the point where the fingers are pressed against the strings on the guitar body.

Fretless bass guitars are not commonly used in county music and are generally limited to electric based guitars to increase the volume and acoustics. The fretless bass guitar is gaining in popularity with many makes and models. The fretless bass guitars are especially popular with Jazz R&B and Funk since the feel and sound is said to be similar to the acoustic double bass.

Fretless bass guitars are not restricted to the musical tuning temperaments or tuning systems as the fretted guitars tend to be. Fretless guitars have the ability to play higher ranges of tones than the 12-tone scales allowing for increased ranges and moods for the various music.

The fretless guitars are different from the fretted guitars since they provide a different sound due to the fingers being able to slide smoothly up and down the neck. This increased motion allows the fretless to absorb the energy from the vibrating string faster and more effectively. The absorption of the sound produces a different sound and feeling to the music.

Playing a fretless bass guitar requires more training than the fretted guitar. The process of learning how to play the fretless bass requires learning the proper finger placement ear training to hear the right tones and shifts. The process of learning is made easier with the markers on the fretboard yet it will still take time to learn due to the lack of metal spacers many players depend on for proper finger placements. Just be patient and keep practicing to adjust to the higher quality bass.