Does anyone use the 20th fret low E.. ever?

[DontKnowSlap]

Just curious.

I just realized now why some of those fretboards are diagonal, I thought it was just some 80's retro style that looked cool all this time.. But as I'm sittin here messing with the high positions, realizing I never even touched that fret in my life... I wonder if it's just a sort of "dead" fret.. never used, or do people use it??

(I think, I would only use the DG strings, but then go back down the neck instead of staying up..)

 

[mbeall]

Sure for chords or soloing. If the frets are level and the action and intonation are setup right there should be no issues. The C on the 20th fret of the E string is technically the same note as the C on the 15th fret of the A string, or 10th fret of the D string, they will all have different timbres due to string gauge and length so there is also a matter of tonal preference to be considered in addition to fingering considerations in the execution of an idea. This same logic applies in the low register as well, especially on basses with low B strings. For example the E on the 5th fret of the B is a very different animal then the open E string. Use your ears and pick what sounds "best" if there are multiple choices with regards to the fingerings.

Regarding the slanted frets, unless I'm unaware of another design I believe you are referring the the Novax fanned fret design which is to accommodate individual scale lengths for each string.

Mike

 

[Turock]

I'd have to say no. I don't have an E on the 20th fret of any of my basses.

 

[NoiseNinja]

I think I might have used it during a noise solo once, but I'm not sure. I know I don't use it for anything at the moment, not even on the D and G string, which I have used before up to 24th fret.

 

[PlungerModerno]

I'd have to say no. I don't have an E on the 20th fret of any of my basses.

LOL, I think the OP just slipped with the 24th fret high E on the E string, or the C on 20th (i.e. fret number & note mismatch for the lulz)

Or they tune in another fashion, like G# standard.... (making frets 8 and 20 E)

G# C# F# B. That's low. Or high.

 

[Turock]

LOL, I think the OP just slipped with the 24th fret high E on the E string, or the C on 20th (i.e. fret number & note mismatch for the lulz)

Or they tune in another fashion, like G# standard.... (making frets 8 and 20 E)

G# C# F# B. That's low. Or high.

I actually thought he meant the 20th fret on the E string, but my inner smart-ass took over.

 

[Tupac]

Oh, so that's what he meant. I kept thinking, "What? There's no E on the 20th fret of any string..." I feel like an idiot now.

 

[parmezans]

Man I did.
Some slides sound delicious on the E string.
Also, if you gently slap the E string while fretting some of the last frets, it will sound so unique, almost like a continuous synth sound, it doesn't sound like plucking.

 

[Philonius]

I'm pretty sure Stanley Clarke does.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

you bet I have, especially on a 24 fret NT bass no matter how many strings

 

[hleach]

Nobody....

Ever...

You will be the first...

Get to it then...

 

[Pilgrim]

If it's above the 7th fret, I have most likely never played it and am unlikely ever to do so.

 

[patplaysbass]

If it's above the 7th fret, I have most likely never played it and am unlikely ever to do so.

^ Signature worthy.

I use my high frets on low strings sometimes when I'm playing Bach pieces, but that's about it. I don't know if I ever make it up to 20, but I can think of at least a few in the ballpark of 18.

 

[SoVeryTired]

Not yet. I think I've only ventured that high on the D and G.

 

[walterw]

If it's above the 7th fret, I have most likely never played it and am unlikely ever to do so.

ha, yeah, there's no money up there, what are you doing?

 

[bassteban]

I hit em all during a few exercises but NEVER play there during gigs- it has a very dehydrating effect on the poon. Keep it on the down low

 

[mrbell321]

Nope. Never.
...But I only have 19 frets

 

[lfmn16]

There are no roots and 5ths up that high, just noise.

 

[isthimus]

i have one part in one song where i do a two octave slide, 1-25 on the E, then hold that top A for a bar. it sounds aweeeeesome. but we basically had to write the entire mid8 round that one moment so yea... outside of weird bits like that, never. outside of fills? NEVER.

 

[AndreBas]

I use it quite often, for example the changes to "Autumn Leaves" start off with a Cm7 which sounds great with root (20th fret E string) seventh (20th fret D string) and third (20th fret G string.)