Gospel Fretless Bass Players

[wolldav]

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

[malthumb]

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.

[Steelpulz]

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

[wolldav]

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

[malthumb]

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.

[Bullitt]

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

[dhagler]

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.