Hank, I'm afraid I have to take some exception. I am a bass player and my preference is for fretless electric bass. But most bass lines are exactly what they are supposed to be--the bottom on which the rest is built. Our's is most often a supporting role, one I gladly fill. Bass players who insist on stepping out in front too often are the ones that I find boring. Even if the bass line is a simple I-V-I-V style, you'd miss it if it wasnt there.