💥Fretless Bassics for Metal! Can you get aggressive tones without frets? (Metal Bass Monday Ep.65)

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Can fretless bass be used in metal? Can a good metal tone be gotten from fretless? Fretless bass has been an intimidating idea for lots of players. Getting perfect intonation and an aggressive attack to compete with a wall of distorted guitars can be an intimidating task. Let's take a deep dive into whether it's a viable option to play fretless in a metal band.
We'll do some technique Basics, take a look at a fun trick or two, and talk about how to make sure fretless can stand out even amongst the huge wall of distorted guitars that metal demands.
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Опубликовано:

18 апр 2021

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Комментарии : 107

@diskovolos 3 года назад

Cheers ! Thanks for the great content ! Steve DiGiorgio and the late great Sean Malone are probably the first names that come to mind when discussing Fretless Metal Bass.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

They are definitely the giants in the genre

@antoniomoralesuriarte3711 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG both are my main Inspirations for me when It comes to Metal Fretless Bass

@blackarchmage91 3 года назад

Finally got my first jam in with a new band we are starting up. The guys really dug the sound I was getting with my BTB fretless. Active with Bartolinis, Zingy round wounds and added a blend of sansamp/darkglass. Happened to be a 6 string too lol.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Congrats on the new band, and making the fretless jump!

@blackarchmage91 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG thanks man! \m/

@fieldofpads 3 года назад

Favourite aggressive fretless bass tone 'Water' by Athiest

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

I'll check it out

@andywitch666 3 года назад

Tony Choy is a legend!!!

@bassimprovjams3772 3 года назад

Killer band!! We played some shows with them before in Sarasota where we are from! Killer baselines Kelly is a super great guy

@bassimprovjams3772 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG yea atheist is a great band ! There from Sarasota basically my home town as well

@bassimprovjams3772 3 года назад

@@andywitch666 absolutely!!

@ulfdanielsen6009 Месяц назад

The Fretless Monster Tony Franklin since the late 80s,- the OG.

@materedai4158 3 года назад

"Can fretless bass be used in metal?" I just say Dominic Lapointe, that's all.

@coltonpugh9669 2 года назад

Forest! 🤘

@dexterj5615 2 года назад

The new first fragment is eternally glorious

@coltonpugh9669 2 года назад

@@dexterj5615 It is truly the most god tier musicianship I've ever heard in my life. I still haven't stopped listening to it.

@materedai4158 2 года назад

I see cultured people in the chat, nice to meet you

@coltonpugh9669 2 года назад

@@materedai4158 You as well. Forest is top tier playing at its most extreme.

@myfavoritesith 3 года назад

Even without frets you are still getting an aggressive tone. 💪💪

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Thanks. It's really not as hard as people make it out to be, there just aren't that many examples of it.

@misapproprationofconscious9236 3 года назад

Thanks for including this subject in the growing list. The inclusion of fingerboard care would be welcome, like what kind of conditioners for either ebony or roeswood, proper surface sandi g with radius blocks to remove the marring from the strings. As far as dissecting songs, maybe some discussion of technique used on Individual Thought Patterns or Human would be great. The orignal recordings have the bass mixed low where you cannot hear a lot of the fills and and counter playing.

@illegal_space_alien 3 года назад

I cringed when Rodney mentioned roundwound strings. Please don’t do this, as it will scour the shit out of your “fret”board. Flatwound are the best thing to use for fretless basses.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

You can use whatever you like, Jason. But I heavily disagree on strings. You're not going to get any kind of aggressive tone on a fretless using flatwounds. I think the reports of massive damage are a little overblown, especially considering the number of top players that use the same, and for my part an instrument is supposed to sound the way I need it to, not be something that just sits around in museum condition.

@misapproprationofconscious9236 3 года назад

@@illegal_space_alien Roundwounds sound great on fretless, The harded the fingerboard wood the better though. Rosewood is not as bright as ebony, but from what I have read, DiGiorgio has his fretboard coated with epoxy like Jaco did, both use(d) roundwounds.

@Farewelltokingz 6 месяцев назад

I have an Ibby SRF700 now and it sounds killer for metal! Thanks for the tips Rodney!

@RodneyMcG 6 месяцев назад

Nice choice!

@ickywyrmwood1993 3 года назад

Hang in there! Is will quiet down soon. Always does. Ebb and Flow. Thank you for the hard work and pushing through. I am grateful and hope it brings positive growth and inspiration.

@bahkauvdus2586 3 года назад

Looking foreward to the ultimate emg pickup comparison :-)

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

It's as complete as I could get it. It's my third revision!

@bahkauvdus2586 3 года назад

Perfect timing, thinking about changing j mm pickups and electronics in my 5 string bass. It has a great sound and feel unplugged, but sounds dull plugged in.

@poochiecheeks627 2 года назад

I come back to this video frequently, lots of awesome information. I would love to see an expansion on this video concerning how a fretless bass can fit into a metal mix in the vein of DiGioirgio on Individual Thought Patterns- what type of techniques and EQ to use to fit into the scooped guitars, and especially how to not overdo it with the "farty" bass tone you hear on some tech death albums. I've been working on how to work in elements of the soloist, Jaco like improvisation into a song while still sounding like a fretted bass to serve the rest of the band, would love to hear your thoughts. This topic definitely deserves a follow up I think. Thanks for being an invaluable resource to bass players on youtube.

@an_eternal_hum4647 10 месяцев назад

Would love to see a breakdown of the Day of the Baphomets intro fretless bass solo by Juan Alderete….shit is 🔥🔥🔥

@jessedover6175 Год назад

Awesome video. Steve Degorgio is who inspired me to start playing fretless. DEATH "Individual Thought Patterns" is one of my all-time favorite albums because of his bass sound.

@PieCompanyGuitarsdotcom 3 года назад

Great show Mr McG... my next build is a fretless neck thru 4 string... you got me all psyched up.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Don't threaten me with a good time, Danny!

@jameslangford9347 3 года назад

Gorgeous lined fretless! Thanks for the tips. I bought an inexpensive defretted Ibenez SR 400 several yrs ago but haven't spent any time to speak of yet with it.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Jump on that beast! Let's hear some "mwaaa"!

@Metalbass1979 3 года назад

I saw Steve DiGiorgio play his fretless with Teatament in 1999. The man was a marvel with that thing.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

He's definitely the beast in the category, No Doubt.

@southofheck 2 года назад

“If you’re not familiar with a fifth” You’re talking to bassists, half of what we play are fifths! The other half being the root.

@M43STR0_dnb Год назад

Jeoren from Obscura is THE MAN when it comes to fretless metal

@danzemacabre8899 Год назад

Man , I just bought a fretless , got the harley benton Jaco jazz knock off, for what I paid for it , this bass is unbelievable and now I. Can't stop playing it! Thanks for the tips, I think it seems to be kind of a natural transition due to the fact that I went through extensive ear training as a kid ( records and turntable.lol)if you want to experiment buy not invest a lot of money just in case you don't like it, I highly recommend the HB jazz , just crazy good for the money. Rodney, every time I step out of a comfort zone, your a good source to listen to, thank picked up the tech21 geddy rackmount too and dialing in a tone with this fretless and jamming out has meant less sleep over the last few days! Keep up the good work dude

@RodneyMcG Год назад

REally glad to be of inspiration. Keep pushing, sounds like you're crushing it!

@an_eternal_hum4647 10 месяцев назад

I also picked up an HB fretless to give it a go…for the money the value is wild. Having a lot of fun and looking forward to buying a nicer instrument. Great beginner purchase

@antoniopizarro7670 2 года назад

3:05 100! No one else says this and you are SO right. Great vid.

@MrBassetman 3 года назад

I slid over here from Killertones channel. Im binge watching . Rodney WOW dude You are like the Bass Version of Killertone. I am but a bass HACK. I have a weezer shortscale active pickup mod. I just lay down my bass tracks, then Riff along with my Guitar. Be that as it may, Im learning a lot from your channel. I just wanna say Thanks for sharing your knowledge man !!! Ive been into Metal over 35 years now, and I sure wish we'd had these kinds of resources at hand in 1986 LOL

@MrBassetman 3 года назад

Almost forgot.......... Killer Studio Room. I like :)

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Much appreciated! Glad your getting something from the channel.

@chriscuthbertson 3 года назад

Rod, I play 5 string pretty much exclusively now, and I really wanna try out fretless. Am I better off looking for a 5 string fretless or should i get a 4 string to start out with?

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Go with what you think you will use most often. If you are a 5 string guy, you will likely want the same range so you can switch as needed.

@drewz116 3 года назад

Don't know if this has been mentioned already, but for those who aren't already aware, round wound strings will dig into the fingerboard after extended use if the fingerboard is not coated with something such as epoxy. Especially if the round wound strings are made of stainless steel or similarly hard metals. And perhaps the type of material the fingerboard is made of also plays a factor.

@riesabass 3 года назад

at last! thanks Rodney, for fretless topic :D one thing about a fretting hand. great excercise for guy goinf to fretless from fretted is just on fretted basses, play always with finger stick with a right side, feeling that is touched. propably that's why i've got my first and only fretless i didn't had any struggles to find the note... i don't have a lines on fretboard :D other thing that is helpful upon this, is really hard training on fretted one. i remember that after 2yrs of realy hard work on my fretted bas (with the 'next to fret technique') i got hands for few minutes on the upright bass. no lines, no dots ofc... i played Mario Theme instantly. guy that lend me this upright for those few sec? his jaw dropped, because he couldn't play this clear after 5 yrs in music school :D "HOW?!" he asked. "i've just looked on fingerboard, measured difference between both scales, with this measured where frets should be, with my eyes, and it was it :D'

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Yeah, i think overthinking it can get in the way of good intonation more than anything.

@riesabass 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG yeah. muscle memory is THE thing imo. even when coming to stretching your hand to the right places, instead of only playing scales, beacuse 'fret do the rest' :D

@Mrmemphisbones 3 года назад

Rodney , i loved the tone you had on this video since the very first note you played. I own V1 of Sansamp and i lately think about upgrading to V2, or VT Bass. You cant go wrong with Tech21. Looking forward for the upcoming Sansamp-RBI and EMG videos. I hope you have incluced some kind of passive option like the Geezer set. Thank you very much, we appreciate a lot what you re doing here.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

No passives as it was a active series shootout. Plus all the pickups were the soapbar shape and the Geezer is a split P only.

@Mrmemphisbones 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG Thank you for your reply, still looking forward to the active soapbars comparison. You do an amazing job with all the videos.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

You're too kind, my friend!

@dorssberube 3 года назад

Great video!✌🏻

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it

@williamross2579 3 года назад

Steve D's Fretless on 'Individual Thought patterns Lp was done on a thrown together 'Bitsa' Warmouth PJ bass, that was passive that iirc cost him at the time, literally no more than 400 bucks, maybe less....a real roadie whatever is laid about job. He retired the Bass straight after the tour to promote the album, and I knew that he (up until 2010) had kept it in his cupboard, and it had not seen the light of day. I've tried asking him about it, and he has never replied on the subject. Steve was a Ricky user but went to Carvin on the latter old period Sadus Lps and 'Human' by Death. Sean Malone (Cynic) used an Ibanez Soundgear 5 string, and Kubicki Factors (remember them??), he sadly passed away recently, and there are RU-vid vids of him playing Cynic material, breaking the songs down and such... The BEST fretless player by far these days is Thesseling, he's now back with Obscura, all Warwicks, 6 and 7 string models. Check out 'Omnivium' lp...

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Some great info and things to follow up on. Thanks!

@stein0niets 2 года назад

its much easier too intonate it to be exactly the fretline, because all the fretlines will be off differently (depending on the position on the neck). Just a tip tried both tuning to the fretline is much easier. I need to sing and play it and im not saying im doing a perfect job at it but i am interested in making it most possible

@StephenBecker 3 года назад

Damn, that sounds *really* good through the Sansamp! Kind of makes me want to play a fretless for the LoLz just to see.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

It's big fun, and not the big issue most people think. I hope this video knocked down a barrier or two.

@illegal_space_alien 3 года назад

I play my fretless J through a Sansamp YYZ, and a Deluxe Bass Big Muff. Metal for days.

@stevenhirsekorn3444 3 года назад

I love playing fretless, i like to think of my sound as having alot of fundamental and body. I want the sound to seem like its got a huge pair of truck nuts

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Truck nuts - also the name of my new Country Rap band.

@stevenhirsekorn3444 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG yeah, it needs to be bold and brash and have huge balls behind it especially in the lower mids if you want to hear the bass itself and not just clank when you're in a garage jamming with a guitar player that uses a 150 watt full stack. in my band we like to bring out the old school amp stacks to make our own kind of noise. Ive been trying to resist building a custom 4x15 cabinet for the sake of my wallet and my lack of space for such a thing

@MarioKL Год назад

>Don't fret I cringed >I'll show myself out Actually laughed out loud 🤣

@russellzauner 3 года назад

0:00 Nice Cirrus flex, damn it's purty. Can't get one for under 1500 USD now...they're out there. They're worth it but now nobody who really appreciates them has the money to buy them...

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

You can find them if you keep an eye out and don't want flawless. I paid less than half that for this one.

@joldisyri8936 Год назад

Killer tone man… I’m a fretless player too and I’ve been trying to get some grit out of my bass. I use SS strings with 1mm of action and get a bunch of grit when the strings are new. However it goes away after the strings break in. Do active EMGs really bring out that attack and clank ? I have passive pickups that are super hot, but have been thinking about throwing actives in there. Let me know what you think!

@RodneyMcG Год назад

EMG will definitely do that, but there are some passives that can do it too. If you don't want to experiment and just get right to it I would recommend going to EMG route

@joldisyri8936 Год назад

@@RodneyMcG how much of a difference tonally does an active preamp make? I’m probably going to install an active preamp with my passive so I can have an active/paaaive switch

@RodneyMcG Год назад

That depends heavily only actual preamp. Emg. Amp are transparent and basically like an onboard active EQ. Some other companies color the sound before you do any adjustments at all.

@joldisyri8936 Год назад

@@RodneyMcG are you saying that emg preamps are transparent?

@RodneyMcG Год назад

Yes

@roberthofmann932 3 года назад

Now that you mentioned it, it seems kinda obvious, that the same principles apply to get a gritty tone. Great insight! Speaking of topics to cover. I just started doing some video shoots for a playthrough video. Just using the smartphone camera, nothing special. Do you have Tipps to make such a bass playthrough video more entertaining and what to avoid? :) Cheers

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Playthrough- I'll let you know when i figure it out myself! All my videos for the first 2 years were a phone, so you can do fine. The only thing I would reccomend would be to film it at a few angles so you can keep it visually interesting by cutting to a different view. People tend to have a short attention span, so changing angle seems to keep them watching. Also, grab Davinci resolve. Super powerfull editing and free for the basic set. It will help a lot. Good luck! Post up anything you do.

@roberthofmann932 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG Thanks for the advice! I was about to wrap it up, but then tried a different angle on short notice. This will come in handy. The first editing will be done by someone else, because it's for a new band. But I'll keep the software suggestion in mind! One step at a time.

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

@@roberthofmann932 Yeah, it's a learning process- and i'm still in the middle of it!

@GillRigged 3 года назад

Did I miss it? What type and brand of strings with this fretless are you using? Oh you just mentioned round wound but aren't they hard on the fretboard?

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Prosteels. It takes a lot of playing to do any real damage, plus i'm more intrerested in my sound that having a looks like new bass.

@rob0nemusic369 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG I bought a fretless bass with roundwound strings, and after few hours it already started to marks the neckboard... I change with half-roundwounds, and I absolutely cannot get aggressive tone on it. I tried with every technics I used on my fretted bass, and it doesn't works anymore

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Yeah, you have to decide if you want to look good or sound good sometimes

@rob0nemusic369 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG won't that change the sound ? I have a cheap 170€ Harley Benton 5 strings bass, I'm pretty worried about that

@rob0nemusic369 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG Maybe can I change that in the setup : - Pretty low action - The neck curve is beetween .6 and 1 mm - D'Addario Hald Rounds strings ( 5 strings )

@eliasaltman4439 3 года назад

Might be a lot to ask for one of the bass lesson videos, but could you do an Archspire song? Jared Smith is a big influence on my playing and I’d love to see some of his stuff dissected, he’s just totally free from what the guitar is doing but it works perfectly and I’d like to know what is going on

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

I'll defintiely look into it

@roberthofmann932 3 года назад

There are official tabs on sheet happens, which are very accurate. I did buy the relentless mutation. Maybe a quick hint: from what I saw, your don't need an 6 string for 90% of the material, if you just want to do an analysis. So don't bother buying a 6 string, that you end up selling like I did. 😂 He also did some great to watch playthrough videos

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Um, I already have a 6 string- it's in the video 😂 I'm likely to use it for more than covering Archspire 😉

@roberthofmann932 3 года назад

@@RodneyMcG Sorry, that part was directed to the OP 🙃

@eliasaltman4439 3 года назад

@@roberthofmann932 I've actually been looking at 6 strings for a while now, I've already got a 5 but I want to take that extra step into the crazy tapping arpeggio stuff and I kinda feel like I'm missing opportunities in my writing without that 6th string

@enzojacobsen4349 2 года назад

Hey, great video! What kind of bass is this?

@RodneyMcG 2 года назад

Thanks. It's a peavey cirrus

@enzojacobsen4349 2 года назад

@@RodneyMcG thanks! I've been playing guitar for 5 years now, and im about to pick up a fretless bass, so this video helped me out a lot. Im grabbing a Harley Benton 5 string fretless!

@RodneyMcG 2 года назад

Very cool, glad I could help. Best of luck with the new axe!

@judowrestlerka 7 месяцев назад

Sounds like a car accident. I played a Peavey Dyna bass(fretless) for years and then got the good fortune of buying a private sellers Alembic Serjes ii for mh Dyna and 3,000 dollars. But now im full circle with Fender artist series Tony Franklin Fretless. Oh to be honest i like tge Fender more then them all.

@Powerserg-dx5kk 3 года назад

You just inspired me not to spend money lol thx really again you don't need crazy gear to find your sound.😎

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

Facts!

@digitalworkshops7240 3 года назад

Does anybody think Steve Di Giorgio is a great player but has often not a great intonation on fretless?

@RodneyMcG 3 года назад

I'd need to hear a reference. At super high tempos exact intonation is nearly impossible.

@xNachtmahRx 2 года назад

Hate this fretless + lots of mids farting sound many technical bands love to chase. Technical dm would be so much better with clacking metallic sounds or with slapping