Cheap Guitar Accessories

Flat Wound

Fretless Guitars: An Issue Of Taste

If one examines the average guitar, either electric or acoustic, one will find small raised bars running width-wise across the instrument's neck. These bars are called frets, and they are placed on stringed instruments to allow the player to accurately and consistently determine where to depress a string in order to produce the desired note. However, not all guitars use frets in the same way; in fact, some lack frets completely. And although such guitars are fairly uncommon, they are by no means unheard of.

A fretless guitar is one that lacks frets completely. Its strings run from the guitar's bridge to its headstock. The instrument is played in the same manner as a fretted version. Because this guitar is, in a manner, less structured than its fretted cousins, it is capable of a wider variety of music. Most guitars are confined to 12-tone scales, but some musicians prefer fretless guitars because they allow for more tonal experimentation. Fretless guitars also produce a different sound from their fretted cousins. The strings of a fretless guitar are only ever depressed between the player's fingertips and the soundboard. Such a technique absorbs the energy from the string's vibration faster than would occur if a fret were used. As a result, the strings of fretless guitar have a more "damped" sound.

Without the frets to create a barrier between the strings and the fingerboard, fretless guitars can sometimes suffer from additional fingerboard wear. In an effort to counteract this problem, the fingerboard of a fretless guitar, especially a bass guitar, is usually made of a hardwood, such as ebony. Another solution is to apply a coat of epoxy to the strings or to use a type of string, such as flat-wound, that will reduce fingerboard wear.

Some artists criticize fretless guitars on several counts. For one thing, these instruments are much more difficult to play than typical guitars. The lack of frets leaves more room for error in hand positioning. As a result, more listening training is required of a fretless guitarist in order that he may be able to discern the minute differences in intonation that his instrument permits. Another common complaint is the fact that acoustic fretless guitars are simply softer than those with frets. On bass guitars, this problem is at least partially solved by the instrument's strings. Bass guitars use much heavier strings and have a heavier body overall, which creates a naturally louder sound. The issue, of course, can be solved on non-bass guitars via the use of pickups and amplification.

Although fretless guitars are not the norm, they have gained a certain number of followers, especially among electric bass guitarists. The use of these guitars is particularly common in jazz, funk and R&B, probably due to the fact that the sound of a fretless guitar is similar to that of a double bass. Famous fretless bass guitarists include Bill Wyman (formerly) of The Rolling Stones, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and the incomparable Sting of The Police.

About the Author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, keyboards, sheet music, guitar tab, and home theater audio. You can find the best marketplace at these sites for guitars, fretlesss guitars, sheet music, guitar tabs, and home theater audio.

flat-wound top guitar strings?

what brand makes the guitar strings that are all flat wound, including the e a and d strings??????

New York Jazz Flats

Bassist David J On Flat Wound Strings.

Bandolino - Wound Up $59.99 Wound up ballet flat features a faux leather upper, bow detail, man-made sole and a comfortable lining/footbed. Available in Grey or Light Natural. Sizes 6M-10M. Click on Alternate View to see additional colors. Limited quantities - while supplies last. Not available in all sizes and colors.

Zombie Chest Wound Adult $7.99 Includes one chest wound.

Open Wound Sleeve Adult $2.99 Includes one open wound sleeve.

Chief Little Wound $19.99 Chief Little Wound - Premium Poster

Cc Sediment Poly Wound Filt $12.99 Sediment Poly Wound Filt

Wound Care 0.88oz $8.99 Wound CareApply this essential balsam for the care of cuts, skin abrasions and slow-healing wounds.. . (Wound Care by Zone) (Wound Care by Weleda) .

NIRVANA?Beautiful Wound $49.99 Masaho Miyashima NIRVANA?Beautiful Wound - Giclee Print

Monty Python- Flesh Wound $21.99 Monty Python- Flesh Wound - T-Shirt

Nutri-Vet Wound Lotion for Dogs $5.69 Nutri-Vet Wound Lotion for Dogs

The Wound of Love, 1897 $34.99 William Adolphe Bouguereau The Wound of Love, 1897 - Giclee Print

Woman Cleaning Wound in Bathroom $24.99 George Marks Woman Cleaning Wound in Bathroom - Photographic Print