Hello,
This is a n00b question, so apologies in advance.
Id like to be able to fret notes just like a guitar or ukulele.
Is it as simple as lowering both the nut and saddle?
I understand that I don't need the actual frets, just the marks.
Thanks!
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Hi, I would use the same hights as recommended from the top of the fret for fretted guitars.
ive never played a fretless neck by fingering, I would imagine putting your fingers in the exact spot as the"marked" fret would have to be pretty spot on when playing chords, or you could be playing flattened notes. With fretted guitars we just plonk our fingers somewhere behind the fret, and the fret itself keep us in tune.
Mind you orchestral and fretless bass players get the job done ok. Then they don't play chords so much.
There are no n00b questions Rodger, only n00b answers like mine. lol
Yes, basically just lower the strings.
However, if you plan on only playing fingered fretless you will want the strings much lower than you would on fretted guitar, about 0.1mm at the nut, the thickness of a sheet of 20lb printer paper . Your neck will need to be perfectly straight when under under tension, no bow. And you'll probably want a bridge with individual string height adjustment so you can start with the strings touching the fingerboard and raise each one until you have no buzz. You may need to do this adjustment every time you change strings due to slightly different tensions, so a non-adjustable bridge wouldn't be a good idea.
If you want to use both slide and fingers you'll need to go quite a bit higher and find a satisfactory compromise between slide playability and fretless intonation.
Replies
Hi, I would use the same hights as recommended from the top of the fret for fretted guitars.
ive never played a fretless neck by fingering, I would imagine putting your fingers in the exact spot as the"marked" fret would have to be pretty spot on when playing chords, or you could be playing flattened notes. With fretted guitars we just plonk our fingers somewhere behind the fret, and the fret itself keep us in tune.
Mind you orchestral and fretless bass players get the job done ok. Then they don't play chords so much.
Taff
There are no n00b questions Rodger, only n00b answers like mine. lol
Yes, basically just lower the strings.
However, if you plan on only playing fingered fretless you will want the strings much lower than you would on fretted guitar, about 0.1mm at the nut, the thickness of a sheet of 20lb printer paper . Your neck will need to be perfectly straight when under under tension, no bow. And you'll probably want a bridge with individual string height adjustment so you can start with the strings touching the fingerboard and raise each one until you have no buzz. You may need to do this adjustment every time you change strings due to slightly different tensions, so a non-adjustable bridge wouldn't be a good idea.
If you want to use both slide and fingers you'll need to go quite a bit higher and find a satisfactory compromise between slide playability and fretless intonation.