![]()
Johan
Gustavsson 'Fuzeblaster' Custom Made Double Neck
Fretted and fretless short scale 12 string
(click on signature model)
Campbell
American 1/4 tone modded guitar
Signal Path:
Ernie
Ball volume pedal
V-stack
Tweedy distortion
Seymour
Duncan boost (for clean leads)
Boss
DD5 delay
Vox
Tone Lab SE multi efx unit
into:
Trace
Elliot Speed Twin 100 watt head
Rivera
2x12 cab with celestions
I'm also using Soniccord
amps
EZ
fretless guitar how-to and things to watch out for:
Find a cheap Les Paul or double cutaway copy (like Guild, used Ibanez Artist
series, etc...) with humbuckers. You'll need more beef since you don't have
frets. I can't recommend strats with single coils for that reason - the exception
of course is the Vigier Surfretter, but he uses humbuckers and has an aluminum
fretboard. Also, check out Fernandes guitars with their glass fretboard
options.
Unfretted.com
is also a great resource. Also, WOLF
GINANDES at M.I.S.C in Boston, MA can do fretted to fretless mods.
Have a repair person take the frets out. DO NOT USE WOOD PUTTY!! Fill in the
frets with a different color wood than the fretboard so you can see the lines.
Trust me - You'll want them when you don't have frets. Sand down and re-cut
the nut - your strings will be lower now since there are no frets. Optional
epoxy job may be considered. Some players like it some players don't –
if you don't have a finish on the neck though, you'll have to eventually sand
it down again. I have a bunch of Berklee College of Music students who got
their used guitars for cheap and the fretless job done for about $400.- or
less!
Intonation: Rule of thumb is your "fretting" hand should 1/3 ahead
of the fretline and 2/3 behind. If you fret right on the line you'll be sharp.
I've noticed that on my low E is have to play a little flatter and in general
major 3rds need to be played a little flatter. You can actually play more
in tune!! Our tempered 3rd is pretty sharp - 400 cents compared to the just
intoned 386 cents (I think)
I hope this helps!
peace Fuze