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Weird fret-placement on Warwick Thumb - explanation?
- Thread starter ratzpaul
- Start date
Wow, that is definetly something I have never seen before. Maybe it was for playing certain types of oriental music where semi-tones are regularly used. 
The fret spacing on that Warwick is designed for just intonation.
embellisher said:Here are pics of some other just intonation stringed instruments.
Here is another Warwick. Is it the same one?
Here is a link to the guys who owns that Warwick. At least I am pretty sure it is. http://www.hansfordrowe.com/just.html
FWIW, just intonation could be considered microtonal, compared to the equal tempered 12 tones scale most of us use.
Thanks for the info, unfotunately, as I'm not a native english speaker, I'm not sure if I got the point about Just Intonation correctly.
Does this mean the frets are placed in positions where the actual harmonics can be found on a "normal" bass?
thanks once again,
paul
Does this mean the frets are placed in positions where the actual harmonics can be found on a "normal" bass?
thanks once again,
paul
its not about bass. it can be applied to any instrument. there were different intonations before the now used equal spaced (is that the right english term?) method. one being just intonation.
here is a simple ruler:
just intonation note system spacing in cents:
c = 0
d = 203.91
e = 386.31
f = 498.04
g = 701.96
a = 884.36
b = 1088.27
C = 1200
equal spacing system:
c = 0
d = 200
e = 400
f = 500
g = 700
a = 900
b = 1100
C = 1200
so the only true harmonic note in a equal spaced system is the octave of the string.
and there is also a basic pythagorian intonation system which is off topic.
IMO though, playing fretless would be a better choice.
here is a simple ruler:
just intonation note system spacing in cents:
c = 0
d = 203.91
e = 386.31
f = 498.04
g = 701.96
a = 884.36
b = 1088.27
C = 1200
equal spacing system:
c = 0
d = 200
e = 400
f = 500
g = 700
a = 900
b = 1100
C = 1200
so the only true harmonic note in a equal spaced system is the octave of the string.
and there is also a basic pythagorian intonation system which is off topic.
IMO though, playing fretless would be a better choice.
Agreed. Almost 80% of all fretless users are microtonal players! Now, whether or not that's intentional...
Note: That statistic is made-up. It's probably actually higher.
artistanbul said:
And that explains why a slightly flatted major 3rd doublestop on a fretless sounds more consant than a major third played on a fretted.
