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Wooden Frets
- Thread starter IronLung1986
- Start date
if you think about it, if you do decide to do it, it doesnt work, just sand the frets off, and bam, fretless. another problem solved by the infamous, V, in all his "V" shaped glory.
After thinking about this for a couple hours.... I think ehque might be right:
"Your bass contacts the vibrating string at 2 points. the fret, and the bridge."
Wooden bridge saddles, metal frets. Doesn't that physically accomplish the same thing as wooden frets and metal bridge saddles?
"Your bass contacts the vibrating string at 2 points. the fret, and the bridge."
Wooden bridge saddles, metal frets. Doesn't that physically accomplish the same thing as wooden frets and metal bridge saddles?
Wow, now there's a stoner puzzle. (not calling you or anyone else a stoner, now quit it).
My gut says that the string sees more damping at the fretted than the bridge end, even though the finger is beyond the "vibrating length". Some damping of overtones, maybe not musical ones at all? So maybe it would be different. But I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference!!! So then it would be the same? Right?
I'm sure some techno-nerd will tell us how it's completely different... but I'd bet it accomplishes MOSTLY the same damn thing.
Oh, by the way... kudos for using "damping" correctly. Too many times,. I see "dampening" (to make wet) used in it's place.
Why not go fretless if you like the sound of wood?
or why not play warwick, since it's the sound of wood?
OK, I'm going to quit beating around the bush. It's a dumb idea. Why do you suppose, in over 50 years of electric bass lutherie, it hasn't popped up anywhere? (Answer: Because it's a dumb idea.) OK, flame away.
Well, it has happened elsewhere, hasn't it? With success, I might add.
Now I'm not saying it's a good idea. I'm not saying it's a bad idea. I don't think it's commercially viable. I do think it's an interesting discussion.
But what I don't get is why people get so damn DEFENSE while they're shooting down this idea. Why does it bother people so much that someone had an idea that they think is bad? Why do people feel the need to insult and ridicule him?? Let's try and have a civilized discussion here, people. If you think it's a terrible idea, ok, say so and give us some intelligent reasons why. And if you think it's a good idea, give us some intelligent reasons why. There is DEFINITELY room for both viewpoints here: so don't go around acting like the other side is the stupidest, craziest thing you've ever heard and that they should just shut up.
If it weren't for all the flaming and name calling, this would be a wonderfully interesting thread.
i'm experimenting with a bass with frets made of chapstick. doesn't work so well but my lips have never been more kissable.
iron lung, i say go for it. possibly not too expensive to retrofit a somewhat cheaper bass to see if it works. if it doesn't, it doesn't. if it supplies a nice flavor, that's great.
interesting idea.
interesting idea.
Don't know if this has been posted yet
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That's nice looking and all, but you do realize it's the equivalent to a lined fretless, right? It's intended to be played with a slide, not actually "fretting" the notes like you would on a bass.
Don't bother talking about new ideas on a Bass forum. People don't play Fender and walk the R-5 every gig for creativity's sake.
I think a fretless with a heavily scalloped ebony fretboard would do the trick. I would love to see this happen. I might even fab a neck to those specs.
It doesn't bother me at all that it's a dumb idea. And I didn't flame the OP, I flamed the idea.
I think it would be more suitable for an acoustic bass,as opposed to electric. Just my 0.02....... But,wow.......Talk about warm tone!!
