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Why Fretless?
Since Jaco Pastorius in the mid seventies, fretless bass guitar has become popular not only in fusion and jazz, but in all kinds of music.We have to admit that since the death of Jaco at the end of the eighties, defining a voice on this instrument has been a challenge”.
Of course, Jaco had an incredible talent, and after him there haven’t been a lot of fretless players who have been able to find their own voice on this instrument as Jaco did. There was a time you could be accused of being a “Jaco clone” if you were simply just “playing” fretless. I see this is a very interesting problem, because it’s all about the music, not just the bass. It goes without saying that it’s easier to copy someone than finding your own voice, and I’ve always felt that finding your own voice, even on fretless is totally reachable. Let’s talk about that as well as other reasons to consider fretless.
One of the first reasons to consider playing fretless, for all bass players, is that it will develop your ear. It’s actually worse in my opinion to be out of tune on a fretless bass than an acoustic bass. The sound of the upright is deeper than the sound of the bass guitar, and with the acoustic tone, it’s seems to be OK even if you’re not perfectly in tune… I’m exaggerating just a little bit.
On the electric fretless, you can hear everything… absolutely everything. If you’re not perfectly in tune, it just sounds terrible! Each time I record something, I become a sort of maniac with making sure I’m in tune.
So in that sense, once again, playing fretless will develop you ear. For me, bad intonation is simply just not acceptable, and that being said, you’ll see how the fretless will make you more humble.
The second thing to consider is realizing that bass guitar is a very young instrument, as well as the fretless. When you chose to play upright (for example), you’re playing an instrument, which has a tradition of several centuries. And it’s sometimes difficult to break away from tradition.
Bass guitar is only 57 years old (if you take the 51′ Fender Precision as reference). Its life span in comparison is very short. All of the reasons why Leo Fender created the Precision, then the Jazz Bass are still good reasons (portability, playability, precision of sound…)
A lot of us still carry the concept of fretless as a “Jaco” thing… but there are so many other possibilities. The concept for bass guitar is in a permanent state of evolution, as well as the players themselves.
I began bass guitar and upright bass almost at the same time (13 years old). But at the age of 20, I decided to concentrate exclusively on bass guitar, because of the reasons above… I still love the sound of the upright (my favorite upright player is Charlie Haden). Maybe I will play some upright again, just for my own pleasure… but I’m still, and will always be a bass, contrabass and sub-bass guitarist.
If you consider also the extended range basses, which are still something very new, you can see that there are so many variations for a fretless bass guitar. And some of those variations are just impossible to achieve with an acoustic instrument. The “sub” register is close to impossible to reproduce with an upright bass. You would have to consider the giant one which is called the “Octobass”, which was used for some of Hector Berlioz’s symphonic work in the nineteen century!
I’ve made the choice 6 years ago to develop my sub-bass concept. My fretless sub-bass has a low E, one octave below standard, and the biggest bass I use (the 12 string) even has the low B one octave below standard.
My song “Holy Spirit” was composed on an 8 string fretless sub-bass. I still feel that at this point in time I don’t have any clichés with this instrument. I was just concentrating on the music… and I was discovering my own voice!
Please click below to listen to my song “Holy Spirit”
from the album “Carbonne Di Piazza Manring” and
then click on NEXT PAGE to continue reading
A fourth reason, I feel the fretless bass can be a more expressive instrument than a fretted bass.
The possibilities of phrasing on fretless are endless. On fretted, obviously, there are possibilities as well, but you’re limited by the fret. You can extend the pitch of a note going up (making a bend), but not going down.
Conclusion: I recommend exploring fretless to every bassist. It’s difficult, but it can give you an incredibly powerful melodic voice that you might not have experienced yet.
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
Featured Videos:
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www.derekfrank.com
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
