If you want to learn what fretless bass neck, then you need to know what a fretless bass guitar is. In this article we will discuss what the difference is from regular bass necks and a fretless neck, as well as how they are still the same. Plus you’ll want to know if this type of guitar played differently than a standard bass guitar, which might mean different training if this is so.

What makes it different from other bass neck’s?

Basically a fretless bass neck does not have any frets on it. And this makes it different because the fret controls the notes played on the guitar. Without them do not know what place to push your fingers onto the strings to make any given note. You mostly play it by ear, and with great practice, you will be able to know where your next know will be just by instinct.

The neck of a fretless bass is made from a harder wood than normal, such as ebony, this will protect it from wear, that it is subjected to when your fingers press a string into the fingerboard to play the note. Normally the fret would protect a regular neck. This also have the side effect of making the neck last longer than normal.

Other than that the fretless neck is basically the same. Still has the fingerboard, but void of frets, but still functions the same. There is still a heel, that connects the neck and body of the guitar. As well as a truss Rod, which keeps the neck straight and playable.

Is it played differently in a regular bass?

Yes, basically it is played blind. What this means is that you do not have the frets to guide you through the notes to play them. And you would play it by ear. This however potentially give you a more unique sound than the regular bass guitar. But, it does take a lot more practice to get used too. In the end, after you have mastered this technique you will have made yourself a better bass player with a wider range of music to be played.

Even though it still has a fingerboard, instead of your fingers pressing the strings into this frets, you press it directly into the hardwood fingerboard. Since there are no frets, you will have more freedom of notes expression in your music playing. This means the ability of more sound effects than with the guitar that had frets.

Now you know what a fretless bass neck is, because you know what a fretless bass guitar is. You now know the differences is that one has frets one is fretless, making it a little harder to play, but having a wider range of notes to play with. The fretless neck has a harder wood design such as ebony to make it withstand more wear and tear, and make it last longer. Other than that a fretless neck and a fretted neck are basically the same. Now, there is nothing stopping you from picking one up, and giving it a try.

Using a fretless bass guitar is a big step when choosing what type of bass to play. There are some distinct differences between a regular bass and a fretless one. You will learn which these are, and you will see if you are willing to make the leap over.

No frets to determine note points:

Bass guitars have frets that run along the finger board, these determine where the notes are, so that you can properly hit them when playing. The fretless design takes these away, and you just have to know where these are. However, some players will have lines and dots instead of frets, so that do not miss their mark. However, some of the top fretless players do not need this, and can easily hit their mark every time. Plus, even if you don’t, and you get close, you are still making some interesting music.

Strings are pushed into the fingerboard, and make a slightly softer sound

Since the vibration is being cushioned by your finger, and the fingerboard, there is a softer sound, and is quite a bit quieter. However, most of these style of basses will be electric, and have an amp to carry the sound forward, so there is no worries if they can not hear you.

Where the standard bass the strings are pushed down onto the fret, which causes a louder, and more heart sound.

Requires more training, and usually requires a very good ear for notes:

Because there is nothing to guide your fingers when you are playing, you have got to practice even more. And maybe even take some special training to learn how to properly play the fretless design. If you have a good ear for notes, and keep up your practice, you shouldn’t have any problems playing without any frets. However, please note, this design is not meant for the beginner, and should only be picked up after learning to play a standard bass.

The regular bass is much easier to play because of the guides the fret place for you to find those notes.

Has a better chance of using a wide range of effects such as, glissando, and vibro, plus the ability to play notes between notes.

Because there is a wider range of notes you will be able to play, because you are not being limited by the frets, you will be able to preform more special effects on the bass than before. And without the constraint of tuning machines, you will have more freedom to find and explore these notes than ever before. If you have a very open mind, and love to be creative with your music, then this might be the bass for you.

There is nothing wrong with a regular bass guitar, however you are more limited in the sounds you can play, only because of the limitations put forth by the frets.

Now you see the differences in the fretless bass guitar and the regular one. Now you can choose which one you would rather play, the limitless fretless guitar, that gives you more creative control, or the easier to play one, that has the frets to guide your fingers. The choice is yours, either way, you will be on the road to making some pretty killer music.

These are some common terms when it comes to guitars, and even a 5 String Fretless Bass Guitar as well. These terms you will need to know when learning how to play. Sure they might show them to you in the books, but having a head start never hurt anyone now did it? Learn these terms, and you will know how to manipulate your instrument even better.

Fret:

these are the metal strips that are put along the neck, or “fretboard”. They are put at precise points that make up the scale length using a very specific math formula. When you press a string into the fret, will determine the length of vibration, which will result in pitch.

A fretless guitar does not have these, but you can still get the same, or similar pitch by pressing the strings with your fingers into the fingerboard.

Glissando:

This is an effect that will allow you to glide up the strings and get the different notes. When used on a fretless instrument, this can be a continuous glide, which can have a totally different effect that if you had frets.

Vibrato:

This is an effect that uses a changes the pitch in regular pulses, and hand movements. It is used to add more character to any given note, or song when it is used, almost giving the instrument a vocal like quality.

Fingerboard:

This is usually a long thin strip of wood put over the neck of the guitar. When you play the instrument, you press the strings down into the fingerboard to change your vibrations lengths. This is where the frets come into effect as well. But, with fretless guitars, the fingerboard is made harder, so that when you press down into the neck, you will not wear groves into it over time.

Neck:

This is where the frets, tuners, headstock, and truss rod are located. The neck must be able to take quite a bit of bend to it and stay straight because of the stress it is put until from the strings being pulled taunt. This is where the truss rod comes in, as it keeps the neck straight, even after it ages, or humidity has gotten to it. If this rod in the neck is ever bent, you must get it fixed, otherwise the instrument is useless.

Heel:

This is where the neck joints the body of the guitar. If it is an acoustic model, then it will most likely be glued down. If it is an electric model, they can be either just bolted, or both glued and bolted, it all depends on model and manufacture.
Pickups:

This is part of the plug in that will allow you to play your instrument, and covert those vibrations into electrical energy so that they can be amplified on an amp for everyone to hear. These are used in all sorts of guitars, even acoustic guitars have them, but are more commonly put in electric, and bass, as they were designed to only be played this way.

Now that you know the basic parts, and terms that come with a 5 String Fretless Bass Guitar, you will be better prepared to learn. You will learn other terms as you get further and further into your studies, which will in turn add to your level of play.