What makes a fretless bass go "mmmwahhh"?

[EddieRay]

What aspect of a fretless bass makes that blossoming "mwah" sound on long notes?

I have 3 basses but would like to get a 4str acoustic fretless. The problem is that none of the music stores around here stock them. I don't want to order one unless it's got the sound I want. It got me to wondering how a luthier would build that sound into the bass to begin with.

 

[Track Rat]

They're made out of mmmwahhh wood and strung with mmmwahhh strings. The mmmwahhh stomp box helps too.

 

[Garry Sharp]

Not to mention a mwahhh player

(Eddie I think you'll find it's the string resonating against a wooden fingerboard and not a metal fret....)

 

[EddieRay]

Awright thanks a lot you smartasses.

I've tried a good many fretless basses but have yet to find one that goes mwah. Most of'em are Fenders. Are you saying it's in the setup? That if I raise or lower the bridge or nut, adjust the rod, etc. I bring that sound out of it?

 

[AlChuck]

It's when you approach a pitch by sliding from slightly below and give it a bit of vibrato, along with what Garry Sharp says...

In other words, it's the way you play the notes, not just the fretlessness itself...

 

[walkinbass]

what Al said....
but I'll add

IMO, some basses produce Mwwwwa more easily than others.

But more importantly, you should be aware:

.... it 's something that can be maximized by your technique,
a bit of what you are doing with both your left and your right hands.

It takes practice.