Upper Fret Access

[J E C]

Re: Upper Fret Access

I usually don't play in the upper upper reigns. But when I do, it's nice for it to be some what comfortable. I see 24 frets as giving nicer access up to the 22nd. If I needed that sound of the PU placement at the 24th then I would use some thing with out 24 frets.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Upper Fret Access

You're welcome. It's a lot more than you've offered this thread. If you could read, you'd notice the opening post asked for personal opinions. I presented mine. You seem to have simply entered the thread to attempt to put down my opinion rather than presenting your own.

+1. Just about everything on this forum is opinion and taste. Take that out and what's left?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Upper Fret Access

+1. Just about everything on this forum is opinion and taste. Take that out and what's left?

Bacon. It's the one universal constant.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Upper Fret Access

I disagree. As in the rest of the known universe, the most plentiful element is Human Stupidity.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Upper Fret Access

I believe it was Zappa that said. Some people believe that Hydrogen is basic building block of the universe because it is so plentiful. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that THAT is the basic building block of the universe. Awesomeness

And how does the old saying go? Anything above the 5th fret is a waste of time and money? I don't necessarily agree 100% but there is wisdom there. There is beauty in minimalism. Play what is necessary and such. Just because you can doesn't mean you should and sometimes if you can't, it's better that way. People tend to create better things when there are obstacles to overcome, and things to get around or work with. In that sense, as stupid as this sounds, sometimes upper fret access can get in the way. Who knows, I guess it all comes down to personal taste.

I really like what the guy said about the classical guitar pieces that had hardly any upper fret access and are arguably the most beautiful and inspiring pieces in the world.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Upper Fret Access

Upper fret access is a must. That's why my next guitar will most likely be an SG standard.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Upper Fret Access

Falloff. The apocryphal story was about there being nothing of interest beyond the seventh fret and it is usually attributed to legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Upper Fret Access

Just because you can doesn't mean you should…

It also doesn't mean you shouldn't. I don't know about anyone else, but I judge guitarists by the sound that comes out of my speakers when I listen to their music, not by which frets I think they're playing.

 

[J E C]

Re: Upper Fret Access

:fest7ing, ding, ding Little Pigbacon, you just won the $64 prize by hitting the nail squarely on the head!

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Upper Fret Access

It also doesn't mean you shouldn't. I don't know about anyone else, but I judge guitarists by the sound that comes out of my speakers when I listen to their music, not by which frets I think they're playing.

You cherrypicked that. If you read the rest you'd see I didn't agree as much and was just acknowledging the point that sometimes less is more, and that people without the higher frets can make some truly amazing things.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Upper Fret Access

You cherrypicked that. If you read the rest you'd see I didn't agree as much and was just acknowledging the point that sometimes less is more, and that people without the higher frets can make some truly amazing things.

Yes, I did. I can't resist the gems.

I believe it was Zappa that said. Some people believe that Hydrogen is basic building block of the universe because it is so plentiful. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that THAT is the basic building block of the universe. Awesomeness

And how does the old saying go? Anything above the 5th fret is a waste of time and money? I don't necessarily agree 100% but there is wisdom there. There is beauty in minimalism. Play what is necessary and such. Just because you can doesn't mean you should and sometimes if you can't, it's better that way. People tend to create better things when there are obstacles to overcome, and things to get around or work with. In that sense, as stupid as this sounds, sometimes upper fret access can get in the way. Who knows, I guess it all comes down to personal taste.

I really like what the guy said about the classical guitar pieces that had hardly any upper fret access and are arguably the most beautiful and inspiring pieces in the world.

If you "don't necessarily agree 100%" about the 5th-fret rule, is there a fret beyond which you believe playing is a waste of time and money? What percentage agreement would you hit at, say, the 9th fret?

I'm just messing around. It's better than trying something productive on a Saturday afternoon.

There are people who make fantastic music on guitars with higher fret access, as well. Some of my favorite playing is slow and pretty simple in the second octave. I like both, and I'm not interested in value judgments one way or the other.

 

[Coma]

Re: Upper Fret Access

I'm stuck with a ****ty cutaway since I love Les Pauls I actually got so used to it that when I do slides up to the higher frets on my Superstrat, I tend to slide off the end of the fretboard and end up on the neck pickups, as I'm used to the edge of the upper bout stopping my hand and have adapted to that.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Upper Fret Access

:haha:

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Upper Fret Access

I'm used to the edge of the upper bout stopping my hand

Must engage brain.

 

[J E C]

Re: Upper Fret Access

Coma...that sounds like some thing an upright player would say. LOL

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Upper Fret Access

Yes, I did. I can't resist the gems.



If you "don't necessarily agree 100%" about the 5th-fret rule, is there a fret beyond which you believe playing is a waste of time and money? What percentage agreement would you hit at, say, the 9th fret?

I'm just messing around. It's better then trying something productive on a Saturday afternoon.

There are people who make fantastic music on guitars with higher fret access, as well. Some of my favorite playing is slow and pretty simple in the second octave. I like both, and I'm not interested in value judgments one way or the other.

Aww dude. Hangar 18 by megadeth. You NEED a 24th fret and great upper fret clearance to do that. Amazing song. I was pretty much just playing devil's advocate myself. My honest opinion its better to have the clearance on the upper frets. Play wherever you think sounds best. \m/

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Upper Fret Access

Aww dude. Hangar 18 by megadeth. You NEED a 24th fret and great upper fret clearance to do that. Amazing song. I was pretty much just playing devil's advocate myself. My honest opinion its better to have the clearance on the upper frets. Play wherever you think sounds best. \m/

That's all well and good, but have you ever tried playing devil's social worker? You can get some real mileage out of that gig.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Upper Fret Access

That's all well and good, but have you ever tried playing devil's social worker? You can get some real mileage out of that gig.

HA!

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Upper Fret Access

I love Megadeth. Unfortunately I've never gotten the chance to see them live, but I've met Mustaine and Ellefson, and they were both super cool!

If your guitar only has 22 frets and you've got a covered neck humbucker, do what Dave Mustaine does; use the cover as a fret.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Upper Fret Access

^ I've also seen Dave, playing a fixed-bridge guitar, reach up to the headstock and down-tune the low E in order to simulate a long, slow trem dive at the end of a song.