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How many frets do you really need?

How many frets do you need to do what you want to do?

  • Just the first five. Anything past that is a waste of space.

    Votes: 3 1.3%

  • Nine. That's a two-octave reach (on a 4-stringer).

    Votes: 7 3.1%

  • Twelve. The full octave.

    Votes: 9 4.0%

  • Fifteen is plenty. I never venture that far down (up) the neck.

    Votes: 34 15.0%

  • Twenty. A P-Bass has twenty. That's all I need.

    Votes: 103 45.6%

  • 24. I actually use all 24 frets regularly.

    Votes: 70 31.0%
  • Total voters
    226
#81
It depends on the number of strings and tuning.

4 strings E Standard 21 is ideal, 20 is doable. If I am doing D standard though at least 22 frets doesn't hurt for transposition for standard tuned songs.

For a 5 or 6 string might as well go 24 frets and get some more range out of it.
 

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