Who needs more than 20 frets on a bass neck?

[Willie G. Moseley]

I sure don't.

I did a bit of research on some instruments I own and used to own a while back, and it turned out that I really liked the ones with 20 frets more than models with more frets, simply because I didn't have to reach out as far.

And yes, I'm a former guitarist who converted to bass.

And yes, body ergonomics is a factor as well; the Guild Pilot I owned had 22 frets but was comfortable (for me) because of its body-heavy balance. 21-fret G & Ls and Peavey Patriots that I presently own feel OK because of the body configuration happens to "fit".

20-fret examples I thought were comfortable included more than one Robin model and the Peavey T-60.

The classic configurations of Fender Precision Basses and Jazz Basses have 20-fret necks.

It just seems unnecessary to have a lot of extra high-register frets when, implicitly or realistically, (1) you won't use them on accounta most players are virtuosos, and/or (2) you have to reach further out to the frets that you do use.

Somebody oughta market a bass that feels even more like a guitar; maybe an 18-fret model....Fender's 15-fret Bass V not withstanding.

YMMV

[MCChris]

Forget frets. Four-string basses have two strings too many.

[crunchee]

I like fretless bass (and NO, not so I can make it go MWAH), so who needs ANY frets? Once I played fretless long enough, I kinda developed a 'muscle memory', so I get pretty close to the note that I want to hit 9 times out of 10. Sometimes more often!

As far as body configuration and cutaway depth go, a good old-fashioned P-Bass will do for me. Fretless P-Bass model too, though with my playing, that's not always 'precise'.

[mc2]

I don't "need" more......but I prefer at least 21, so I can hit the second octave above the root on an open E or A and also use the fifth on the next string up on fret 21.

On my 8-strings I actually like 24-fret necks to hit those high ovtaves and harmonics sometimes.

But if I was stuck on an island, I could live with 20 frets and a coconut to talk to.

[chromium]

Forget frets. Four-string basses have two strings too many.

[chromium]

One of my go-to basses has 24.

(good luck getting to 'em, though! )

[mc2]

Did you know Paul McCartney's first "bass" was his converted six string guitar that he strung three piano bass strings on until he could afford his Hofner?

http://s1359.photobucket.com/user/mc2NYNO/media/image.jpg1_zpscggkoqas.jpg.html

So it ain't the bass, it's the bass player. I played a Vox hallow body teardrop and Hagstrom 8-string...both short-Scales for almost ten years in my early days. Still.have 'em !!

[FrettyMcgee]

[Disturber]

There is no money above the 5th fret, so I really don't understand the topic of this thread at all.

[mc2]

^^^^^^

I would guess that 99 percent of the best bass lines of all time we're all done in the first position.

.....but you need the other 2/3 of the neck to attach it to the body and all the upper frets to "medley meedley" on a bit to inspire you to go back to the first position to play a bass part.

[Ethan]

I dunno guys, I make plenty of money playing above the 5th fret.....McCartney, Chris Squier, plenty of others seem to have done fine as well.... 😀