Wooden Frets

[cynical-rabbit]

In a couple months, you'll have a fretless bass.

 

[IronLung1986]

There's already two systems that are trying that. The Fretgroove basses by Marco:
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And the Neuser NFS bridge:
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Wooden frets are just a bad idea if you're using metal strings of any kind. Forget about fretwear- even if you're using a very sturdy wood, it would still have to be very thin slices of it to work as frets, and one good pop of a string could likely crack a wooden fret.

maybe we need to think about an alternative to metal for making strings...?? or a different kind of metal? i mean, just for this wood fret idea. i still like metal strings in general, and metal frets for that matter.

 

[elgecko]

Well, you could tapewounds or gut strings.

 

[Nic.]

While we're on the topic of different frets, why not bone frets so it sounds similar to the nut? I've seen this on some classical instruments.

 

[lowtide]

i had this idea the other day to make a bass with wooden frets. i googled it and found a TB thread from years ago but i guess it had been archived or something; i couldn't bump it. anyway have any of you guys heard about this actually being done? what are your thoughts?

Yup . . . it's called a fretless . . .

 

[Muaguana]

Ebony or Lignum Vitae or something would be harder.

Sigh...

 

[line6man]

I'm feeling the "The sound of a fretless, but with the accuracy of a fretted bass"?

Um, fretted basses are not accurate at all.
Each string intonates differently, but the frets are in the same places for each string.

 

[joeyl]

I see Mustafa and his crazy ideas are back on this board

 

[Shy Guy]

There's already two systems that are trying that. The Fretgroove basses by Marco:
Invalid Link Removed

And the Neuser NFS bridge:
Invalid Link Removed

Wooden frets are just a bad idea if you're using metal strings of any kind. Forget about fretwear- even if you're using a very sturdy wood, it would still have to be very thin slices of it to work as frets, and one good pop of a string could likely crack a wooden fret.

I am very confused as to how both of those systems function

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I could be wrong but I hope there is some rationale or good reason to think wood frets are an improvement over the existing metal frets design in some way.

 

[ehque]

I see Mustafa and his crazy ideas are back on this board

The OP doesn't even come near to Mustafa's weirdness.

To the OP. Your bass contacts the vibrating string at 2 points. the fret, and the bridge.

I would think that a wooden bridge might simulate the string vibrating against wood, and be far more long lasting than wooden frets, which are essentially toothpicks.

 

[Ric5]

Wouldn't they wear out really quick?

Ya like a week

 

[Munjibunga]

it's personal conjecture. but i think it used to be called inspiration.

Well, what would be the point? I wouldn't characterize the idea as "inspired." The downsides are obvious and significant, while the upsides are elusive and ethereal. Do you replace the frets weekly?

 

[Big chicken]

Ebony or Lignum Vitae or something would be harder.

Monkey wood.

 

[denchiq]

to the OP.

Go on, I think that is one neat idea. Bringing it to life is likely to be tricky, but the idea is fine

 

[Essen]

Um, fretted basses are not accurate at all.
Each string intonates differently, but the frets are in the same places for each string.

I was merely quoting what I remembered from the fretted/fretless systems threads.
I am fully aware of a fretted bass' flaws, though I must say that I am a lot more accurate with a fretted bass than with a fretless.
Fanned frets would eliminate the problem though, yes?

 

[Essen]

What if you did something like this? You'd problaby have to make some sort of composite.
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[millsbass5]

The ONLY wood that I know that just/maybe/might/sorta/kinda work wood have to be a species called........Morning Wood.















Damn,I'm either funny as ****. Or........I'm just corny as hell.......

On a serious note..... Never heard of the concept.

 

[john keates]

Yeah, it could work I rekon. I love these kinds of ideas.

Maybe you could use a scalloped fingerboard made from some kind of impregnated wood then put a protective layer of something on top which you would then re-apply from time to time so it never wears off. You could even vary the depth of the scalloping along the fingerboard so maybe it would feel more fretless as you go up and have less chance of string buzz?

By scalloped I mean you would have a fretless board, then scoop away inbetween where the frets would be leaving mountains between your valleys.

 

[Daveelvy]

I really don't think that this concept would work with wood, but maybe with some synthetic material... Just as an idea:

It wouldn't be frets as such, but the fretboard would have to be 'wave-shaped', like REALLY wide frets, that would give the note some intonation, but also enough 'mwah' to be fretless-esque. Maybe...

Ya, what Mr Keates got to just before me above!