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{{short description|Type of guitar}}
:''Fretless bass'' redirects here.
{{Infobox instrument
| name = Fretless guitar
| names =
| image = File:Doublebfoot.jpg
| image_capt = The ], a double neck fretless and fretted guitar.
| background = string
| classification = ]
| hornbostel_sachs = 321.322
| hornbostel_sachs_desc = Composite ]
| range = ]<div class="center">(a standard tuned guitar)</div>
| related =
* ] string instruments
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
| articles =
}}


A '''fretless guitar''' is a ] with a ] without ]s, typically a standard instrument that has had the frets removed, though some custom-built and commercial fretless guitars are occasionally made.<ref name=":0" />
The '''fretless guitar''' is a ] without ]s (including similarly configured ]s known as '''fretless bass'''). It operates in the same manner as most other ] and traditional ]s, but does not have any frets to act as the lower end point (node) of the vibrating string. On a fretless guitar, the vibrating string length runs from the ] (also called chair), where the strings are attached, all the way up to the point where the fingertip presses the string down on the fingerboard.
The classic fretless guitar was first pioneered in 1976 by Turkish musician ]. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.unfretted.com/history/history-1970s/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003200011/http://www.unfretted.com/history/history-1970s/ | archive-date=2019-10-03 | title=History – The 1970’s }}</ref> Fretless bass guitars are readily available, with most major guitar manufacturers producing fretless models.


On the fretless guitar, the performer's fingers press the string directly against the fingerboard, as with a ], resulting in a vibrating string that extends from the ] (where the strings are attached) to the fingertip instead of to a fret.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://takelessons.com/blog/advantages-disadvantages-of-a-fretless-guitar-z01 |title=Advantages & Disadvantages of a Fretless Guitar |last=Shanika |date=2016-03-04 |website=TakeLessons Blog |language=en-US |access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref>
== Advantages and disadvantages ==


== Technique ==
There are two often cited advantages of fretless guitar:


Musicians employ a standard harmony and the ] as a base for exploring tones, using a fretless guitar.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Demasi |first=Vincent |date=February 2006 |title=Fretless guitar |journal=Guitar Player |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=100, 101, 102, 104 }}</ref> Fretless guitars offer musicians an ability to use ] in any key and mode and explore new sounds through using ] harmonies and folk melodies in a jazz-groove context.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Prasad |first=Anil |date=December 2008 |title=David Fiuczynski |journal=Guitar Player |volume=42 |issue=12 |pages=76, 78, 80, 82 }}</ref> A detailed article on extended techniques for fretless electric guitar - written by British guitarist Rich Perks - was published by ''Music and Practice'' journal in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicandpractice.org/volume-4/fretless-architecture-towards-the-development-of-original-techniques-and-musical-notation-specific-to-the-fretless-electric-guitar/|title=Fretless Architecture: Towards the Development of Original Techniques and Musical Notation Specific to the Fretless Electric Guitar - Music and Practice|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref>
* '''Unique sound'''. The fingertip is relatively soft (when compared to solid and hard fret) and absorbs energy from vibrating string much faster, thus, effectively making a ] (more ]) sound.


Musicianship with fretless guitars differ from fretted guitars:
* '''Musical freedom'''. Performer has a relative freedom of positioning the hand and playing by ear, not constrained with particular ], as in case with fretted instrument. This can be viewed as a disadvantage, as playing fretless instrument usually requires much more training. It also requires much tighter coupling between ears and fingers while playing.
* They require greater finger position precision, because the position of the node of the string is continuously variable (being established by the position of the finger) rather than fixed (established by the position of a fret). As a consequence of this, chordal playing in particular is more difficult to achieve accurately.
* The string resonance is reduced, requiring more forceful plucking or modified ] (]) to achieve desired volume.
* The smooth surface of the fingerboard allows ] playing, with smooth transitional ] between notes


Fretless guitars are uncommon in most forms of western music and generally limited to the electrified instruments, due to their decreased acoustic volume and sustain.<ref name=":1" /> The fretless bass guitar has found popularity in many forms of western music, from pop to jazz.<ref>* {{cite book |title=How The Fender Bass Changed the World |last=Roberts |first=Jim |publisher=Backbeat Books |year=2001 |isbn=0-87930-630-0 |location=San Francisco, CA |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/howfenderbasscha0000robe }}</ref> The first use of fretless bass guitars dates back to ] in the early 1960s. {{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
However, acoustic fretless guitars are very quiet and are barely used in practice. Two notable modifications are usually used instead:
<!-- NO SOURCING, NO CRITERIA:
==Famous users==


===Fretless guitar===
* ''']s''' feature much heavier strings and bigger resonant body to amplify the sound, thus sound relatively loud even fretless.
* ] Multi-stringed instrumentalist with ], ] and Bully Wee Band. Session Work with ], ] & ] and many others.
*], a Montenegrin-Serbian social satirist/comedian and experimental jazz/rock musician, among other things, he is known for playing fretless guitar in his performances.
* ] used a fretless guitar extensively on King Crimson's 1984 album '']''.
* ] of ] now uses a custom Manson double neck with one neck fretless live for two songs.
* ] used a fretless guitar on the 1965 album '']'' - a very early recording of fretless guitar.
* ] plays a variety of fretless guitars, typically with a glass fingerboard.
* ] plays fretless guitar extensively in his instrumental project KiF.
* ] used a fretless ] on the recording of '']'' (most notably on the guitar solo of "Mellowship Slinky in B Major"); he now uses custom made fretless guitars with glass fingerboards.
* ] regularly uses a Godin Glissentar in live performance and for several pieces on his albums Thrum and Visitation.
* ] plays a Vigier fretless guitar.
* ] layers multiple tracks of fretless guitars on film scores.
* ] plays Godin and Vigier fretless guitars.
* ], a.k.a. The Flashbulb, plays a fretless guitar on the track Steel for Pappa from the album ''Soundtrack to a Vacant Life''.
* ] plays a fretless classical guitar on the title track of the album '']''.
* ] has used fretless guitar from professional debut year in 1979, the user of the most famous ]ese guitarist, and most user are using.
* ] ] pioneer of the fretless guitar. Makes nearly all his music with self-made fretless guitars.
* ] plays his Ibanez signature model on "Vaci Utca" and "Dix cordes de nuit".
* ] plays a double necked guitar which has an 11-string fretless setup on the top neck, which he used on many of the tracks on ]'s album '']''.
* ] has occasionally used fretless guitars, such as on his 1996 album ''Sferics''.
* ] (also known as Bumblefoot) has used fretless guitars extensively.
* ] played a triple neck (12-string, 6-string and 6-string fretless) guitar during live shows many years ago.
* ] plays fretless guitar on Push the triangle's album "repush" and live acts.
* Vindsval of ] used fretless guitars on the microtonal '']'' album and other albums.
* ] used fretless guitars on a few albums in the early and mid 1970s.
-->


Festivals featuring live fretless guitar music have been held for several years both in the US and in Europe. In New York, the first NYC Fretless Guitar Festival was held in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gjd.guitaraffair.com/todays-stories-mainmenu-73/1843-godin-sponsors-nyc-fretless-guitar-festival |title=Godin Sponsors NYC Fretless Guitar Festival |website=gjd.guitaraffair.com |access-date=2019-04-16}}</ref> In the Netherlands, the Dutch Fretless Guitar Festival has taken place since 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History 2000's – Unfretted |url=http://www.unfretted.com/history/history-2000s/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003161551/http://www.unfretted.com/history/history-2000s/ |archive-date=2019-10-03 |access-date=2019-04-16 |website=Unfretted |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* With an invention of ], particularly ''']s''', sound can be amplified to the necessary extent.


==See also==
== Fretless manufacture ==


* ]
Most of today's fretless guitars are modification of factory made traditionally "fretted" guitars. However, there are also professional builders specialising in fretless guitars.


==References==
Fretless ]s are much more common than fretless guitars in modern music and commerce, with many manufacturers offering these as standardly available models.
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
== Notable users ==
{{commons category|Fretless guitars}}
In alphabetic order:
<!--ANTISPAM: THIS SECTION WILL LIST ONLY:
* ] has done pioneering work with the six string fretless bass guitar and artificial harmonics.
! - INFORMATIONAL SITES USEFUL FOR OUR READERS
* ] (]) has occasionally used fretless guitars.
! - DIRECT LINKS TO PAGES WITH USEFUL CONTENT NOT COVERED HERE
* ] (]) uses a fretless ] bass guitar.
! MERE ONLINE STORES AND OTHER COMMERCIAL HOMEPAGES WILL BE DELETED:
* ] (]) has a ] six string fretless bass named the Rainbow Bass.
! PER http://en.wikipedia.org/WP:SPAM
* ] uses a fretless upright string bass made from stainless steel.
! AND http://en.wikipedia.org/WP:EL
* ] of ] used a fretless bass for several years, starting from the recording of the album ]. However, he went back to using a fretted bass around the time of ].
-->
* ], one of the best bass players in ], plays a five string fretless bass, seldom he uses normal bass.
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010082051/http://www.unfretted.com/ |date=2007-10-10 }} - fretless guitar resource: history, news, reviews, tips, FAQs, MP3s, lists, dictionary, etc.
* ] uses self-made fretless guitars.
* - The New York Fretless Guitar Festival features the best fretless players from around the world.
* ] the guitarist for ] uses fretless bass on several of Pink Floyd's songs.
*], bassist of ] was the first known person to take out the frets of an electric bass
*], former bassist of ] and avantgarde musician, uses fretless bass guitar since late 1970s.
* ] uses either a fretless electric guitar or bass guitar on some works.
* ], uses a 5-string Pedulla Bass.
* ] (guitarist for ]) has a fretless six-string as the bottom neck on his famous five-necked ] guitar.
* ] makes nearly all his music with self-made fretless guitars.
* ], noted session bassist, famous for his fretless bass method.
* ] plays microtonal world music, uses six-string fretless ] basses.
* ] (]) is considered the most influential on fretless bass. He is acredited for applying a boat epoxy to his fingerboard; not only to protect the fingerboard from harmful roundwound strings, but it gave him his unique sound that he is so well known for.
* ] used a fretless bass when he was with ].
* ] (]) also used a fretless Hamer guitar.
* ] occasionally plays a three-necked guitar, featuring a fretless neck.
* Lars Norberg (]) uses a fretless bass.


<!-- URLS ALREADY DELETED AND WHY:
* Fretless Guitar Lessons
* - fretless bass resource: build information, lessons, boards, etc.
* - fretless bass resource: interviews, gallery, boards, etc. (semi-commercial site)
* - fretless bass resource: gallery, lessons, links, and a community forum
fretlessguitar.com : Fernandes guitars store, no useful pages
http://www.fezaneverd.com Feza Neverd - advertorial for individual musician
*{{Refimprove|date=November 2010}} - picture not particularly informative regarding the subject of the article as the main focus is the serial number of bass neck. Maybe this belongs on the page about Jaco.


-->
Michael ATONAL Vick http://www.TheMichaelVickTrip.com


{{Guitars|state=collapsed|Type}}
Unfretted - The Fretless Guitar Resource http://www.unfretted.com

==See also==
*]
*]

{{Guitar}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fretless Guitar}}
] ]
] ]

]
]

Latest revision as of 16:12, 19 December 2024

Type of guitar
Fretless guitar
The Vigier DoubleBfoot, a double neck fretless and fretted guitar.
String instrument
Classification String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification321.322
(Composite chordophone)
Playing range
(a standard tuned guitar)
Related instruments

A fretless guitar is a guitar with a fingerboard without frets, typically a standard instrument that has had the frets removed, though some custom-built and commercial fretless guitars are occasionally made. The classic fretless guitar was first pioneered in 1976 by Turkish musician Erkan Oğur. Fretless bass guitars are readily available, with most major guitar manufacturers producing fretless models.

On the fretless guitar, the performer's fingers press the string directly against the fingerboard, as with a violin, resulting in a vibrating string that extends from the bridge (where the strings are attached) to the fingertip instead of to a fret.

Technique

Musicians employ a standard harmony and the twelve-tone technique as a base for exploring tones, using a fretless guitar. Fretless guitars offer musicians an ability to use just intonation in any key and mode and explore new sounds through using microtonal harmonies and folk melodies in a jazz-groove context. A detailed article on extended techniques for fretless electric guitar - written by British guitarist Rich Perks - was published by Music and Practice journal in 2019.

Musicianship with fretless guitars differ from fretted guitars:

  • They require greater finger position precision, because the position of the node of the string is continuously variable (being established by the position of the finger) rather than fixed (established by the position of a fret). As a consequence of this, chordal playing in particular is more difficult to achieve accurately.
  • The string resonance is reduced, requiring more forceful plucking or modified amplification (pickups) to achieve desired volume.
  • The smooth surface of the fingerboard allows legato playing, with smooth transitional slurs between notes

Fretless guitars are uncommon in most forms of western music and generally limited to the electrified instruments, due to their decreased acoustic volume and sustain. The fretless bass guitar has found popularity in many forms of western music, from pop to jazz. The first use of fretless bass guitars dates back to Bill Wyman in the early 1960s.

Festivals featuring live fretless guitar music have been held for several years both in the US and in Europe. In New York, the first NYC Fretless Guitar Festival was held in 2005. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Fretless Guitar Festival has taken place since 2006.

See also

References

  1. ^ Shanika (2016-03-04). "Advantages & Disadvantages of a Fretless Guitar". TakeLessons Blog. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  2. "History – The 1970's". Archived from the original on 2019-10-03.
  3. Demasi, Vincent (February 2006). "Fretless guitar". Guitar Player. 40 (2): 100, 101, 102, 104.
  4. ^ Prasad, Anil (December 2008). "David Fiuczynski". Guitar Player. 42 (12): 76, 78, 80, 82.
  5. "Fretless Architecture: Towards the Development of Original Techniques and Musical Notation Specific to the Fretless Electric Guitar - Music and Practice". Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  6. * Roberts, Jim (2001). How The Fender Bass Changed the World. San Francisco, CA: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-630-0.
  7. "Godin Sponsors NYC Fretless Guitar Festival". gjd.guitaraffair.com. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
  8. "History 2000's – Unfretted". Unfretted. Archived from the original on 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2019-04-16.

External links


Guitars
Playing
By type (six string)
Additional strings
Ancillary
Related topics
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