Fretless Guitar
 

Has any of you messed around with a fretless guitar?
I've been playing fretless guitar for a few years now and while it is extremely difficult as far as technique goes it is most rewarding.

You can reach microtones/quarter tones found in raga & maqam, sometimes I employ an eBow for a sarod-like approach.

Guthrie Govan - Fretless Guitar Jam with Michael Casswell [Licklibrary]- YouTube

I'd really like to try a fretless guitar, have for a while. I'm not convinced that I'd be any good a it or that I could stick with it, but I'd really like to mess around with it.

How much did yours cost?

I de-fret them myself and refinish the fretboard. (two on the right)
http://www.bandvista.com/sites/rw_me...84e98271a622dc

Very nice! Is it a long or particularly difficult process?

On the guitar on the right, I built up the fretboard with polyurethane, sanding between 3-4 coats until it was glass-like . . . that took a bit of time. But, on the other guitars I just filled in the fret slots and left it bare. I have a little adjustment for the bridge saddle as well.

I bought a cheap guitar specifically for the purpose of defretting it.

Then I really enjoyed the guitar. And thought about how different fretless is.

So I left it with frets.

Once de-fretted it's a pain to re-fret it!
Fretless is a new world, one without chords and a learning curve for staying in key (chords are not impossible though, you just have to think them out)

^Isn't that because you'll get sharp sounds out of open strings?

the open strings shouldn't be sharp, they should be in tune

Well no not sharp, but trebly. Opposed to the dampened sound of the strings you're touching.

that is true, I use flatwounds on my fretless' to help keep a uniform tone.
There is a myriad of situations on fretless that you will need to overcome.

I've messed around with a fretless bass a few times as well as an upright bass. I did enjoy playing them but I personally couldn't see myself mastering it without frets. It made me realize that frets are my best friends. Admiration to those who play fretless guitar.

It would be the same way with me too Conan, I would have to master bass guitar with frets before I would feel like I was to accomplish anything musically with the fretless.

A fretless is very distinctive sounding in my opinion. I can usually pick a fretless out when listening to music, especially bass.

I didn't tackle fretless guitar (not bass which is easier) until a few years ago (I'm 50) but I wish I had the inkling to, it would have been over the top and a great add-on to my arsenal back in the day.

I actually picked it up in order to simulate Middle Eastern instruments and to play quarter tonally. But found playing blues on it was pretty out there and cool.

i defretted one of my electric guitars to make it fretless. i found it difficult if not impossible to sound notes on the higher strings, but ive seen it done before. what strings would work best for a fretless guitar

:clap: Beautiful collection SIRIUSB...I especially like the one on the right! What`s the model and maker?