#1
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The use of zero frets
on higher quality guitars. What is your opinion.
How do they impact playability. Does it make sense. Let's have a debate. Stuart |
#2
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I have been very curious about this on a few guitars that I have owned as well...Particularly when I prefer the sound of that instrument when it is capo'd...I have never followed through with any alterations, though....
Bone
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Epiphone DR-500MCE 2011 Gibson J-45 vintage sunburst 1964 Gibson J-45 cherry sunburst Martin SWDGT Martin SWJGT Martin MMV Dread Martin 000-21 |
#3
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The only experience I have with a zero fret is my Conn F-1512. I think it is easier to play, especially at the 1st fret.
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Relearning after a 30 year break. -- Cordoba C5 (2015) Yamaha FS700S (2014) Conn F-1512 (1977) Epiphone EA-250 (1973) |
#4
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No. Zero frets failed to catch on in the 60's. So, no. There will be zero zero frets.
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Disclaimer: All my statements are my opinion. I know nothing about everything. |
#5
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There's a real resistance to zero frets among many North American guitarists, probably because most of the guitars that we've encountered on this continent that have them tend to be real cheapos.
But there's nothing wrong with the basic idea, at least on acoustic guitars. (On mountain dulcimers zero frets really add a tinny, nasal quality to the tone, but mountain dulcimers work in a different mechanical way than guitars, with a lot more of the tone being transmitted through the nut and through the hollow fingerboard directly to the top in a way that's impossible on guitar.) Anyway, there are several high end custom builders who build using zero frets; I'm pretty sure Harvey Leach uses zero frets on his guitars. And Selmer and Selmer Maccaferri "gypsy jazz" guitars have always used zero frets as an integral part of their design. So I wouldn't automatically dismiss the idea. I've heard and played some very fine-sounding zero fret guitars. Wade Hampton Miller |
#6
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Some of the best guitars I have ever played have zero frets.
What's a good reason against zero frets?
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Solo acoustic guitar videos: This Boy is Damaged - Little Watercolor Pictures of Locomotives - Ragamuffin |
#7
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#8
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Quote:
Stuart, interesting you bring this up for discussion as I have raised the question before about above use case without knowing what zero fret was ... after someone recommended I look into zero fret like tweaks (one mentioned was zero glide DIY, though that thing scares me). Because zero fret seems a little gimmicky to me, I've been wanting to start similar discussion about other options to achieve a similar effect. I have no problem fretting barre chords or anything else closer to the nut, but this bouncy responsive playability I love, so much that for certain songs I will tune down and capo up to get that playability. Any other ways to get that? And please, bring on the zero fret debate!
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martin D-28A '37 | D-18 | SCGC H13 | gibson SJ-200 taylor 814ce | 855 | GS Mini H.V. | goodall RP14 | Halcyon SJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
#9
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Zero fret
I had a Parker for a while that had a zero fret. My old Aria string also uses a zero fret.
I've always liked them. |
#10
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No to zero frets.
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Disclaimer: All my statements are my opinion. I know nothing about everything. |
#11
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I will be playing around with zero frets with my semi slothead design .
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#12
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Kazuo yairi used it on many of his guitars. One that comes to mind is DY-68 12 string.
Dan |
#13
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It only makes sense to have a Zero Fret - you can try Zero Glide
this is how i see it - if you fret the 7th fret then play your 8th, other then the note that changes the tone should stay the same, but open to the 1st fret with just a Nut the tone will change as well as the note. so having a Zero Fret keeps the tone the same. Plus action is better, even with a nut set up. This is just my opinion. |
#14
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Anyway, we've already heard from some fans ... I'd also be interested in hearing from players who have adapted an existing guitar, which is how I got interested. I' not even sure what guitar I might do this to, but I'm game for an experiment that can be reversed.
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martin D-28A '37 | D-18 | SCGC H13 | gibson SJ-200 taylor 814ce | 855 | GS Mini H.V. | goodall RP14 | Halcyon SJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
#15
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Quote:
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Solo acoustic guitar videos: This Boy is Damaged - Little Watercolor Pictures of Locomotives - Ragamuffin |