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side dot measurements

#5
3-5-7-9-12-etc dots are normally put halfway between the fret positions on a fretted or lined fretless instrument (same as they would be on the front of the board). 1-2-3-4-5-etc dots on the side of an unlined fretless are usually put at the fret positions.
 
#6
Beej said:
For an unlined fretless, I'd just do the same. Mark out the "fret" locations and then centre the dot betwixt them...
Click to expand...

And players of your unlined fretless would hate you for it :)

If the fretless is completely unlined, without any other side markers, then put the side dots exactly where the relevant fret would be.

If the fretless is lined either right across the board, or has every 'fret' position marked along the top edge of the board then put them between the 'frets'.
 
#7
On a fretless I put the side dots right on the fret and one on the first fret as well. Take your scale and divide by 17.817, Then take that number and subtract it from you scale lenth. That will give you your first fret mark. Take that number and divide 17.817 again, subtract that from you first fret number and that's your second fret mark. Then just keep doing the same all the way till you run out of fretboard. Or you can go to Stew Mac and use the fret finder.
 
#8
pilotjones said:
3-5-7-9-12-etc dots are normally put halfway between the fret positions on a fretted or lined fretless instrument (same as they would be on the front of the board). 1-2-3-4-5-etc dots on the side of an unlined fretless are usually put at the fret positions.
Click to expand...

Really? My current unlined fretless has side dots at 3-5-7-9-12 etc. not every "fret"
 
#9
Jools4001 said:
And players of your unlined fretless would hate you for it :)

If the fretless is completely unlined, without any other side markers, then put the side dots exactly where the relevant fret would be.

If the fretless is lined either right across the board, or has every 'fret' position marked along the top edge of the board then put them between the 'frets'.
Click to expand...

A good point, I never even thought of that. Funny though that every unlined fretless I've played has the dots in the centre of where the frets would be.

My own experience with fretless is mostly upright, which has no dots at all...
 
#10
Armacielli said:
Really? My current unlined fretless has side dots at 3-5-7-9-12 etc. not every "fret"
Click to expand...
That's definitely done also. The main point is that when you can see a fret or a line, usually dots are put between the frets or lines; but when there is o visible line or fret, dots usually are put at the fret positions. But there are exceptions. A guy who is used to dots "between" might want them put there, even if its 3-5-7 and it's unlined fretless.
 

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