the zero fret

[sonic boogaloo]

what's the general consensus on the zero fret?

my sandberg has one and the action is probably the best of all my basses.

but i'm sure there must be a downside otherwise they'd be standard on all basses, right?

 

[ahbass2500]

To me zero fret is just another way to accomplish the same thing. A traditional nut handles string spacing at the end of the neck and the end point of the string on the headstock side. Zero fret decouples the task. Zero fret handles string end point, nut handles spacing.

If you view it the way I do, then it is a design choice more than anything. I suppose choosing zero fret may have some marketing benefit as well.

I play/own both. As a player I do not care which one I have as long as it is setup properly.

 

[Zooberwerx]

The string has to depart somewhere. I have both and have no preference. However, we do have varying opinions on specs (height, etc.). Per conventional wisdom, an open string will sound as if fretted.

Riis

 

[ardgedee]

Zero fret handles string end point, nut handles spacing.

Zero fret also ensures an open string rings the same way it does fretted. Whether that's an advantage is up to the player.

 

[tb-player]

I have it on my basses. I’m much more likely to play the open strings with a zero fret. The sound is more consistent with the rest of the bass.

 

[ahbass2500]

Zero fret also ensures an open string rings the same way it does fretted. Whether that's an advantage is up to the player.

Yeah I have read that. I do not see it as a significant difference. I tend to avoid open strings unless I am after open string timbre. Through that lens, zero fret is a slight disadvantage (admittedly not enough of one for me to have a preference).

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

I never decide whether or not to buy a bass on the nut. I like zero frets. But no big deal not having them.
Sandberg is interesting because they actually slot the zero fret for each string, which isn't standard practice with most zero frets.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I have it on my basses. I’m much more likely to play the open strings with a zero fret. The sound is more consistent with the rest of the bass.

cant hear it on my steinberger synapse

 

[Thumpin6string]

So, on a lined fretless, would it be a zero fretless?

 

[BuzzVerde]

I have both. The zero fret makes it slightly easier to set the bass up for the manufacturer (instead of having to cut each individual nut slot to the exact right depth, the manufacturer just planes all the frets on the neck equally), and it results in an open string that rings very similarly to a fretted note. I can kind of hear the difference when I'm solo, but when playing with other musicians, I don't notice a difference at all.

 

[Dincrest]

I LOVE open strings ringing out the way they do, hence why I politely say "no thank you" to zero fret.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

My zero fret Sandbergs are great. Totally like the sound and setup is precise

 

[sunbeast]

I have both. The zero fret makes it slightly easier to set the bass up for the manufacturer (instead of having to cut each individual nut slot to the exact right depth, the manufacturer just planes all the frets on the neck equally), and it results in an open string that rings very similarly to a fretted note. I can kind of hear the difference when I'm solo, but when playing with other musicians, I don't notice a difference at all.

A zero fret should actually be slightly higher than the other frets (just like a bone/plastic nut) or you are almost guaranteed to develop some buzz on the open position as that fret will wear faster due to essentially always being "fretted". Some companies will use a different larger fret wire to accomplish this. It does make it easier to get an exacting setup from an instrument, assuming the neck is level and true.

I never decide whether or not to buy a bass on the nut. I like zero frets. But no big deal not having them.
Sandberg is interesting because they actually slot the zero fret for each string, which isn't standard practice with most zero frets.

That's cool re: Sandberg! One of the issues with zero frets is that they tend to wear out faster than other frets since they are always being "fretted" (always ask for pictures under the strings buying any used bass with a zero fret!), and part of that is movement over the fret which slotting would decrease at least in one dimension.

 

[sunbeast]

I wish more builders would use zero frets. I have made brass nuts before to help even out the tone of open strings, but that is alot more work than installing a zero fret to begin with! I also feel like 90% of instruments come with nuts that are slotted higher than they need to be, a zero fret is a much easier solution for builders to get an exacting nut height from the start

 

[gormsby]

I build zero frets into all my fretted builds. I like the "consistent sound for open strings" argument, and I also appreciate the separation of concerns with the zero fret and string spacer. And frankly, it saves me a little fiddling with getting nut height exactly right. I do not take the "consistent sound" theory so far as to use human fingers to make a nut on my fretless builds. That would be weird.

 

[Peteyboy]

If I designed my own bass it would have a zero fret. Had that on an old Vox I used to own and I loved it. Evens out open strings and fretting that 1st fret feels a lot better.

 

[gormsby]

Should also add that I use 0.055" high stainless steel for my zero frets but use 0.047" nickel silver for all the other frets. That addresses the "constant wear" issue and gives me a bit of extra clearance. I am sympathetic to the argument that the zero fret should be the same height as the others (logic being that neck relief should do the job), but I've got the stainless wire for about 10 more builds before I have to re-evaluate my stock.

 

[No such thing]

Right, fretless it is.

 

[Turnaround]

One of the issues with zero frets is that they tend to wear out faster than other frets since they are always being "fretted".

No more so than a regular nut.

 

[logdrum]

Less twang on the wang - I mean open strings. Weren't brass or bronze nut supposed to do that? Scrunchies (like what Wooten uses) can give a fretted sound somewhat. I like them only for Novax type guitars the Charlie Hunter 8 in particular