Any fretless players use a pick??

[catphish]

Never really thought about it before, but I'm pretty sure the bass player from the Flaming Lips was using a pick with a fretless P-bass last night on Austin City Limits. It was a re-run from 2003, FYI.

 

It had a very wierd tone too it, and at first it was really bothering me, mainly because he was very pithy, but then it sort of grew on me as it blended well with the steeel guitar for a sort of wierd swirling kind of sound.

 

Just wondered if a) anyone could confirm that the guy was actually using a pick on a fretless, from Flaming Lips, and b) if anyone knows of anyone else who does this, or does it themselves?

 

Be back later.

[T. Alan Smith]

I've been doodling around with it lately. It works. I have an assortment of picks and tend to prefer heavier picks with the fretless, whereas I tend to prefer thinner with fretted.

[bnyswonger]

I've done it the studio but not live.

[takeout]

One of the best fretless sounds I've ever heard came off a live Tears For Fears (don't laugh) video. Curt Smith was playing a fretless Warwick fiver (I SAID don't laugh) with a pick... and SLAYED it. Perfect intonation, all while singing, and he played the {censored} out of it. I think he even took a solo. Fantastic tone.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally posted by takeout One of the best fretless sounds I've ever heard came off a live Tears For Fears (don't laugh) video. Curt Smith was playing a fretless Warwick fiver (I SAID don't laugh) with a pick... and SLAYED it. Perfect intonation, all while singing, and he played the {censored} out of it. I think he even took a solo. Fantastic tone.

 

TFF is VERY underrated. They are top notch performing artists. Well, they are honest to goodness performing artists to begin with, which is hard to find anymore. Saw 'em live last year and had a blast.

[james on bass]

Does Jack Bruce use a pick? I remember seeing him a few times on the Warwick fretless, but can't remember if he was using a pick as well.

[nicebigstrings]

I mentioned Carles Benavent on a fretless thread last week. He uses a pick on fretless to good effect.

[SB]

I believe Sting, Jack Bruce and probably JPJ would all have done it at some point. I do it on an AC/DC-ish song in my band. Anyone want an mp3?

[zenfascist]

Fretless picking sounds awesome, especially with some overdrive or distortion.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally posted by zenfascist Fretless picking sounds awesome, especially with some overdrive or distortion.

 

My fretless sounded like a trombone thru my Bassdriver.

[sunburstbasser]

Originally posted by T. Alan Smith My fretless sounded like a trombone thru my Bassdriver.

 

Awesome! Now you have something to fall back on when piano tone doesn't work.

[james on bass]

{censored}! Another thread about fretless basses. Okay, who wants to make a trade!?!

[catphish]

I figured there must be people doing it. I was suprised I'd never seen, or noticed anyway, before. Thanks for the leads, I'll try and check out some of the referenced examples.

-D

[Thumper]

I remember seeing Sting playing a fretless P-bass and Ibanez Musician in Madison WI in the late 70s. Also, didn't Adam Clayton play fretless with a pick in the early U2?