Zero Frets

[Benjy_26]

Hell all.

I've been looking at pre cut nut replacements for my Mustang Bullet's nut and while researching options, I came across Zero Glide's nut that includes a zero fret.

I also saw this review of one:

https://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=96390

The Fender replacement I'm looking at for my Mustang is only about 17 bucks via Amazon.

Any thoughts?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Zero Frets

I never understood the zero fret

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Zero Frets

I never understood the zero fret

I use zero frets on the instruments I build.

It has a few benefits; the action on the open strings is perfect because it’s the same height as the other frets. This also helps with intonation on the first few frets. The reason for that is if the nut slots aren’t deep enough the string will stretch and sound sharp. Also because the anchor point is slightly behind the fret, the tendency of the harmonics to sound sharp are reduced. This is the reason for compensated nuts and the Buzz Feiten system.

Lastly open notes sound like fretted notes, and it’s easier to cut the nut, since it just has to space the strings.


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[Chistopher]

Re: Zero Frets

Zero frets have numerous advantages (see above) and no disadvantages, anyone who tells you otherwise is a commie spy.

They have however developed a bad rep because of cheap guitar makers using them because good QC is expensive and it's cheaper to just add one more hunk of metal to the guitar.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Zero Frets

Zero frets have numerous advantages (see above) and no disadvantages, anyone who tells you otherwise is a commie spy.

Commie pinko spy.

They get a bad reputation because they were used on numerous cheap guitars in the 60s.

One of my basses

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[Mincer]

Re: Zero Frets

I really dig zero frets. They really should be used on more guitars- the notes sound more even to me, with a closer tone between the open and fretted notes.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Zero Frets

no disadvantages

Harder to set the height?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Zero Frets

Someone mentioned the potential con of a heavier neck toward the headstock (the weight & torque of one extra fret close to the end of the neck.)

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Zero Frets

Gibson should have made zero frets an option, or even a standard feature, on their 24 3/4 " scale instruments years ago. (as well as longer scale options)

 

[Aceman]

Re: Zero Frets

Gibson should have made zero frets an option, or even a standard feature, on their 24 3/4 " scale instruments years ago. (as well as longer scale options)

BLASPHEMY!!!!! You CAN'T change the original 50's specs!!!!!! NOT EVER!!!!!!! :lmao:

I guess I have never had a tonal issue with open v fretted tones. And a decent or better nut solves for some of those issues. Haven't played - let alone seen a zero fret guitar since I really cared about tone. I'll check one out next time I come across one.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Zero Frets

and when used with a non locking trem, you can cut the nut fairly wide, lube it to kingdom come and it simply won't go out of tune because the nut just holds the spacing, not the intonation or string height.

1 con: they wear out faster, in my experience.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Zero Frets

Harder to set the height?

I'd say it's actually easier. Any old fool can take his guitar from shredstick to slide with not much more than an Allen wrench with a ZFAN nut.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Zero Frets

Harder to set the height?

No need to. The height should be the same as the first fret. Now it’s automatic.

Some builders use a higher zero fret. I keep them all the same.


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[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Zero Frets

Gibson should have made zero frets an option, or even a standard feature, on their 24 3/4 " scale instruments years ago. (as well as longer scale options)

They tried to offer that zero glide nut. But the vintage cork sniffers objected!


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[RorySquier]

Re: Zero Frets

I think Brian May's guitar has a zero fret if I'm not mistaken.



;>)/

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Zero Frets

View attachment 89960

I'd say it's actually easier. Any old fool can take his guitar from shredstick to slide with not much more than an Allen wrench with a ZFAN nut.

Cool!

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Zero Frets

I think Brian May's guitar has a zero fret if I'm not mistaken.



;>)/

Yes it does


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[Benjy_26]

Re: Zero Frets

Someone mentioned the potential con of a heavier neck toward the headstock (the weight & torque of one extra fret close to the end of the neck.)

I wonder if the weight of one extra fret would be noticeable in conparison to locking tuners and all the other stuff we sometimes hang off of our guitars.