Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Seaman Jay on March 2, 2012 at 8:06am

You may as well start with a fretless, tuned to GDg. Then upgrade to bound frets (wire/cord), then, eventually, fret it properly.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on March 2, 2012 at 10:30am

no you may as well use real fretwire from the very start.

the only real reason to leave frets off a slide guitar is to chase the real advanced hawaiian techniques, slants and reverse slants.

fretting a neck is not hard at all, and makeshift frets are more difficult to do than real ones, which are dirt cheap.  This site is run and sponsored by Ben Baker Gitty, fretwire magnate.  He does em cheap and is a real decent guy.  Buy some and get cracking.  If you can get access to a scroll saw thats a really good shortcut on fretting, as is a belt sander.  Good luck and youre welcome to message me for any help whatsoever, im an accomplished fretting pimp and a very qualified music teacher.

My name is Jef Long and im in Australia

and i agree with Keni 100% a fretless 3 string instrument is very limited, fretless slide guitars need very versatile instruments which is why steel guitars usually have eight or ten strings

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Permalink Reply by ross harper (rustic luthiery) on March 2, 2012 at 8:07pm

John,here is Smojo's address,http://smojo-cigar-box-guitars.blogspot.com.au/

also,Keni Lee,Shane Speal and Knotlenny on the Nation.Go gettem! Ross

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on March 3, 2012 at 7:55am

I agree with Jeff, fret wire is the way to go. It is not expensive and is easy to work with and really just works great. It will make learning to play easier. For sheer fun and ease of playing, dulcimer fret spacing would be a good way to go

i think.. With no "wrong" notes on the thing (provided it is "in  tune") it is easy to get a lot of music out of it without having to really know much.

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Permalink Reply by Rouxdy Blues on March 3, 2012 at 9:29am

I'm pretty much like you Lost Newbie, except I just finished my first 3 string.  I went fretless.  My next one will be fretted and I'll compare.

Like you I knew nothing about playing music a few weeks ago.  Thanks to the videos by Mike Snowden and all the others mentioned I now know a few riffs and things are slowly making sense.  I'm happy as hell!  Just build it, frets or not... you can always build another.  

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Permalink Reply by jeff maurer on March 4, 2012 at 3:46am

taught myself years ago how to teach myself. ive been playing guitar for 20 years now and the only real lesson i had was when a friend showed me how to play power chords and read tab. learning to play on your own is a little bit harder than learning with other people right there with you. got any guitar playing buddies? most players are more than willing to give pointers and tips to someone just starting out. you know your gonna get everyone here telling you to get keni lee's dvds. a lot of members here have them and and say they are great. the same goes for john mcnairs vids. im lucky enough ive gotten to the point where i can pretty much figure things out by ear, but not always and it took several years to get my ears turned on. get john's and keni's vids and if you still have a tough time with it just remember you are a member of the cigar box nation. just ask for help and you will get it. ive found everyone here to be friendly, nurturing, patient, and more than willing to help anybody out that needs it.

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