Zero fret

00soul · Post by **00soul** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:13 am

i was checking out the rickenbacker site and one of the reissue basses has a zero-fret. is there a purpose for having one extra fret besides being period correct for a reissue?

edski · Post by **edski** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:43 am

I've heard it being touted as adding stability and tonal consistency to your open strings...can't remember ever playing one so I can't say what difference it really makes.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:14 am

that is there to accruately replicate Paul McCartney's bass as it is now ...

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:02 pm

I love the zero fret. I have them on my Steinbergers. Your right, it makes an open note sound like a fretted note.

Cole

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:31 pm

Paul modded his to include a zero fret because his Hofner had one. IMHO it makes no significant tonal difference. And some people don't like them because you can't tailor the height of the individual strings like you can by filing the depth of each nut slot to suit.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:39 pm

Sure you can. Start with a piece of fret wire that is taller than the wire used on the rest of the fingerboard then file away.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:44 am

Well, you could ramp the height of a higher zero fret so it gradually lowers toward the treble side, but that's not quite the same thing -- unless you happen to want a linear decrease in height. If you filed slots in the fret to get the exact height you wanted, then it would become a nickel silver nut, not a zero fret.

I have nothing against zero frets, they do work. But the tonal differences between them and a properly made nut range from minute to undetectable.