The World’s First Fretted / Fretless String Instrument

[beerdragon]

apparently. [url="http://mikeyguitar.com/bass.asp"]http://mikeyguitar.com/bass.asp[/url]

[Grand Wazoo]

[quote name='beerdragon' post='825024' date='May 1 2010, 06:22 PM'] apparently. [url="http://mikeyguitar.com/bass.asp"]http://mikeyguitar.com/bass.asp[/url][/quote]


Not the world's first, I found this video many years ago

[Alien]

Been around since the '80s. I recall a guy giving one a right slapping on Tomorrow's World.

A

[sshorepunk]

Great idea, but too many moving bits for me, i swap between fretless and fretted jazzes during a gig, that works well, i like things simple, less things to go wrong and drop you in the sh*t

Tony

[gub]

Great idea ,never even knew these things existed!

[Guest johnzgerman]

does this mechanism mean the fingerboard must be completely flat?

[BobVbass]

but......surely this would mean I'd have to own less basses????!!!! That's a major disadvantage!!!

[7string]

It's a great idea. Love that the bass on the site has a lacewood top.

I do like a bit of lacewood.

[charic]

Biggest disadvantage. Fretwear...

What happens when it comes time to pay up and get some new frets fitted?

[Kiwi]

It works on the basis of rotating the frets around. Good point about the fret wear but if the frets are made from stainless steel then they are unlikely to wear quickly. The biggest issue for me would be consistency in the action of the strings between both modes. If you set the action for fretted mode then it will be the height of the frets too high when in fretless mode.

[Grand Wazoo]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='825209' date='May 1 2010, 10:37 PM']It works on the basis of rotating the frets around. Good point about the fret wear but if the frets are made from stainless steel then they are unlikely to wear quickly. The biggest issue for me would be consistency in the action of the strings between both modes. If you set the action for fretted mode then it will be the height of the frets too high when in fretless mode.[/quote]

Of course having both options on one bass will result in a compromise one way or another but I still think it's a cool idea. I once asked Paul Reed Smith to make one, this was 16 years ago, and he told me where to get off...

[Kiwi]

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='825263' date='May 1 2010, 11:33 PM']Of course having both options on one bass will result in a compromise one way or another but I still think it's a cool idea.[/quote]
I can think of at least one way to partially solve the problem.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='825263' date='May 1 2010, 11:33 PM']I once asked Paul Reed Smith to make one, this was 16 years ago, and he told me where to get off...[/quote]
Obviously he has better things to do.

[Lfalex v1.1]

Not for me. I'd rather have a twin-neck!

[The Burpster]

It would have to be very very well made to avoid any tuning/ intonation issues. looks a great piece of engineering/luthiership but I would go with one or the other.....

OR

(As in my case) 2 indetical instruments - 1 fretted the other fretless.

[lojo]

There must be massive set up issues

Seems like one of those engineering projects that just had to be done regardless if it would become a real practical to use item in everyday use

[mikhay77]

[quote name='Alien' post='825029' date='May 1 2010, 06:30 PM']Been around since the '80s. I recall a guy giving one a right slapping on Tomorrow's World.

A[/quote]
Holy crap I remember watchin that as a nipper b4 taking up bass and yeh he was givin it a good slappin,on the fretless setting I think! Wander if you could still find it somewhere?