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Gospel Instruments => Bass Guitar => Topic started by: wolldav on August 27, 2009, 09:18:54 AM

Title: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: wolldav on August 27, 2009, 09:18:54 AM

Hi all... do ya'll know any gospel players out there that uses a fretless bass as there main intrument?

Title: Re: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: malthumb on August 27, 2009, 10:25:14 AM

Quote from: wolldav on August 27, 2009, 09:18:54 AM

Hi all... do ya'll know any gospel players out there that uses a fretless bass as there main intrument?

I know you probably mean bassists with a widespread following or presence, so I don't count, but I do often use a fretless 5-string for some of the more mellow numbers that we do.

Title: Re: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: Steelpulz on August 27, 2009, 10:50:53 AM

I had one in the early 80s. Thinking about getting another one.

Title: Re: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: wolldav on August 27, 2009, 11:20:14 AM

Malthumb.... since this a gospel website i thought of just saying gospel bassist, but your right... all included.. :)

Title: Re: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: malthumb on August 27, 2009, 11:41:27 AM

Quote from: wolldav on August 27, 2009, 11:20:14 AM

Malthumb.... since this a gospel website i thought of just saying gospel bassist, but your right... all included.. :)

I got the fretless specifically for gospel arrangements.  I'd say overall I use it about 30% of the time.  As an example of the types of songs where I prefer fretless tones, recently I've used it for

• Like The Dew - J. McAllister
• Please Don't Pass Me By - F. Hammond
• Great Is Your Mercy - D. McClurkin
• We Fall Down - D. McClurkin
• Caribbean Medley - D. McClurkin
• You Are The Living Word - F. Hammond

The fun part about "Please Don't Pass Me By" is that I sing the lead on that song and my fretless is unlined, so I have to work REALLY hard to keep me and the bass "playing in tune".  I could always go to a fretted bass or let someone else sing the song, but I'm sorta hard-headed that way.

Title: Re: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: Bullitt on August 27, 2009, 03:35:31 PM

Quote from: malthumb on August 27, 2009, 10:25:14 AM

I know you probably mean bassists with a widespread following or presence, so I don't count, but I do often use a fretless 5-string for some of the more mellow numbers that we do.

+1....my fretless prob gets more playing time as a practice tool for ear training rather than giging. It still gets used for some slower songs that need the mwah haha


-J

Title: Re: Gospel Fretless Bass Players
Post by: dhagler on August 27, 2009, 08:36:31 PM

I own one, a Fender 4, but I don't play it a whole lot because it lacks the extended range I prefer to play in D-flat, E-flat, and F.

But I love the way it sounds so I will never part with it. :)