Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on March 2, 2014 at 1:31pm

Not fretting is always easier, no doubt. If you want to play slide on your CBG, then fretless is pretty much the way to go.

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on March 2, 2014 at 3:16pm

My first build is a fretless four string. In standard tuning I'm finding it easier to play all the time. There are things that's not possible to do. Allot of cord fingering needs frets. Hard to line your fingers up in a straight line. Better for soloing or two to three note cords. I wouldn't want to be a solo artist on stage trying to keep cords in tune and sing and the same time. Guess it depends on what you want to do with the guitar.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on March 2, 2014 at 4:46pm

For a first build?  Definitely go fretless... it'll get you playing sooner and getting used to the intricacies of CBG building.

Besides, everybody should have one of each... Fretless ones make beautiful music!

 

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Permalink Reply by RoadmasterK on March 2, 2014 at 5:43pm

I just joined the forum recently and built my first CBG.  It is a fretless three string, and I find it forces me to learn to play slide better, which is a great thing for my guitar skills.  It also got me playing within two days of finding some boxes, because without frets it is so simple to make one of these.  Now I can play one while I round up some tools and wire to fret #2!  What great fun, these little guitars:)

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on March 3, 2014 at 2:47am

From your background, fretting is no big deal. From there make your decision on what you want to play and whether you are in a big hurry to finish your first build. If you build fretted, but with a flat fret board, you are probably good to go on both fingering and slide. Sounds like dealer's choice to me.

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Borczon on March 3, 2014 at 3:38am

Lately I have been getting around the problem by using nylon strings. They sound grat with a slide and chording is do able without frets so I have the best of both worlds without the added time and trouble of fretting. I build to a baritone uke scale and the guitars sound really good and warm with the nylon. Just an idea.....matt

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