Okay I admit I broke down and bought some inlay stickers for a bass I'm working on. While looking online to see where the fret markers go on a 24 fret bass (I kind of already had an idea). I saw pictures and some basses have a fret marker on the first fret but most didn't have one until the third fret. Just curious why some have a marker on the first fret and some don't.
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First or third fret.
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
You don't really need a visual hint to find the first fret.
3 5 7 9 12 and then repeat the cycle.
If you put one at the first fret, then that means you need one on the 13th fret, which would look odd right next to the 12th.
3 5 7 9 12 and then repeat the cycle.
If you put one at the first fret, then that means you need one on the 13th fret, which would look odd right next to the 12th.
It took me years of playing guitar before the pattern after the 12th fret clicked!
It's always good to ask about why things are, or if there are different ways to do things - there's a lot of times that there's a great reason behind something, but what good does that reason do if we don't know it?
The Fender basses with block inlays, the previous generations of Yamaha BB basses, etc., etc..
A side dot at the first position serves a purpose on a fretless bass.
@J_Bass thanks!
I've never cared for block inlays, so never look at a bass with them!
I do think the block inlay works on first fret, though, now I've seen it.
I've never cared for block inlays, so never look at a bass with them!
I do think the block inlay works on first fret, though, now I've seen it.
Ugh…don't like that first fret inlay. Just looks wrong.
That being said, tastes do differ!
Of course, now that I see this, I dislike the first fret inlay less…just contemplating that without it, it would look weird now.
Strange how one photo makes a difference.
good points......when i bought this neck i wondered the same thing, at first it looked odd to me...expecting to see that 1st inlay....Then realizing i dont need it.
With anything other than dots I very much like first fret inlays.
My most favoritestes treble geetar evar looks odd because of many missing inlays… but it's still my most favoritestes…
on my fretless basses I put markers at 1&2 in addition to the standards.
My most favoritestes treble geetar evar looks odd because of many missing inlays… but it's still my most favoritestes…
on my fretless basses I put markers at 1&2 in addition to the standards.
C'mon. Fender started using block inlays in 1966. There has always been a 1st fret block. 66 Jazz pictured.
Rick puts a side dot on the binding at every single note position on their fretless basses, just to further confuse you while playing. To complete their jedi mind trick, the dots on the fingerboard are located between the note positions.
Spectors have 24 frets and a marker on the 1st position with none on the 13th.
Good luck!
None of the fenders with a block on the first have one on the thirteenth either.
You know where the first fret is because it's the one next to the nut.
Also the marks are related to musical divisions. You could play open A and 6th fret on E string together to find out why that isn't a useful dyad.
Lastly, it's your bass so apply whatever looks good to you. The inlays are also for decoration. It's a lot easier to see the side dots when you are playing standing up. You will occasionally see a block in 1st.
Also the marks are related to musical divisions. You could play open A and 6th fret on E string together to find out why that isn't a useful dyad.
Lastly, it's your bass so apply whatever looks good to you. The inlays are also for decoration. It's a lot easier to see the side dots when you are playing standing up. You will occasionally see a block in 1st.
