Fretless Guitar

SIRIUSB · 08-05-2011, 08:08 AM

Has any of you messed around with a fretless guitar?
I've been playing fretless guitar for a few years now and while it is extremely difficult as far as technique goes it is most rewarding.

You can reach microtones/quarter tones found in raga & maqam, sometimes I employ an eBow for a sarod-like approach.

GuitarBizarre · 08-05-2011, 03:16 PM

Guthrie Govan - Fretless Guitar Jam with Michael Casswell [Licklibrary]- YouTube

Gangleri · 10-14-2011, 03:35 AM

I'd really like to try a fretless guitar, have for a while. I'm not convinced that I'd be any good a it or that I could stick with it, but I'd really like to mess around with it.

How much did yours cost?

SIRIUSB · 10-14-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangleri

I'd really like to try a fretless guitar, have for a while. I'm not convinced that I'd be any good a it or that I could stick with it, but I'd really like to mess around with it.

How much did yours cost?

I de-fret them myself and refinish the fretboard. (two on the right)

Gangleri · 10-17-2011, 12:26 PM

Very nice! Is it a long or particularly difficult process?

SIRIUSB · 10-17-2011, 02:13 PM

On the guitar on the right, I built up the fretboard with polyurethane, sanding between 3-4 coats until it was glass-like . . . that took a bit of time. But, on the other guitars I just filled in the fret slots and left it bare. I have a little adjustment for the bridge saddle as well.

tbug2007 · 10-26-2011, 01:23 PM

I bought a cheap guitar specifically for the purpose of defretting it.

Then I really enjoyed the guitar. And thought about how different fretless is.

So I left it with frets.

SIRIUSB · 10-26-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbug2007

I bought a cheap guitar specifically for the purpose of defretting it.

Then I really enjoyed the guitar. And thought about how different fretless is.

So I left it with frets.

Once de-fretted it's a pain to re-fret it!
Fretless is a new world, one without chords and a learning curve for staying in key (chords are not impossible though, you just have to think them out)

tbug2007 · 10-26-2011, 05:53 PM

^Isn't that because you'll get sharp sounds out of open strings?

SIRIUSB · 10-26-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbug2007

^Isn't that because you'll get sharp sounds out of open strings?

the open strings shouldn't be sharp, they should be in tune

08-05-2011, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
SIRIUSB Luciferian Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 278	Fretless Guitar Has any of you messed around with a fretless guitar? I've been playing fretless guitar for a few years now and while it is extremely difficult as far as technique goes it is most rewarding. You can reach microtones/quarter tones found in raga & maqam, sometimes I employ an eBow for a sarod-like approach.

10-17-2011, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gangleri Groupie Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 18	Very nice! Is it a long or particularly difficult process? __________________ Gangleri Here's My Music My Youtube Videos My Twitter

10-14-2011, 03:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gangleri Groupie Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 18	I'd really like to try a fretless guitar, have for a while. I'm not convinced that I'd be any good a it or that I could stick with it, but I'd really like to mess around with it. How much did yours cost?

10-17-2011, 02:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
SIRIUSB Luciferian Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 278	On the guitar on the right, I built up the fretboard with polyurethane, sanding between 3-4 coats until it was glass-like . . . that took a bit of time. But, on the other guitars I just filled in the fret slots and left it bare. I have a little adjustment for the bridge saddle as well.

10-26-2011, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
tbug2007 Groupie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 24	I bought a cheap guitar specifically for the purpose of defretting it. Then I really enjoyed the guitar. And thought about how different fretless is. So I left it with frets.

10-26-2011, 05:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
tbug2007 Groupie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 24	^Isn't that because you'll get sharp sounds out of open strings?