Author Topic: Fretless Guitars (Read 136 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** March 07, 2007, 01:40:41 PM »

Has Alembic ever made a fretless electric guitar?
Just wondered.

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2007, 02:05:28 PM »

I seem to recall that mica told me about one that they had made with a metallic fingerboard. I think it was called the infinite fret. Or the never ending fret or something like that.

bigredbass · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2007, 07:11:10 PM »

ALEMBIC doesn't make them, but there's LOTS of them here in Nashville, doublenecks at that . . . pedal steels! Emmons, MSA, Zum, etc.

Fiendish to play, beautiful sound.

J o e y

valvil · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2007, 08:32:26 PM »

I think that was a bass, Doc; made for a popular band (or maybe not as popular as all that, since I can't remember the name) , but I might be wrong. Either way Susan called it the one with the continuously fretted fingerboard . But I have heard the 'infinite fret' term too around the office. I don't think there is an actual official terminology.

Valentino

davr35 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:25:34 PM »

I believe that bass was made for John McVie. Not quite sure though.

Dave

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:42:13 PM »

There was a stainless steel fingerboard guitar made when I was a kid. There was a bass too, it did go to John McVie. Don't remember who got the guitar, but these were the only two continuously fretted as my mom calls those instruments. If I run across some photos (there's at least 1 of each), I'll share of course.

adriaan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2007, 03:52:25 PM »

You might stand a better chance of finding a Vigier surfretter guitar - indeed a fretless guitar (not a bass) with a metal-covered fingerboard.

jahnahisti · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2007, 04:35:50 PM »

since fretless guitars don't work so well, w/ wooden fingerboards the stainless is a neat idea. This fellow here uses glass fingerboards.
http://www.nedevett.com/
An overview with playing tips on the fretless guitar with tips on converting a guitar to fretless.

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2007, 05:09:35 PM »

The Bond Electraglide guitar, of which approximately 1400 were manufactured in Scotland in 1984-85 is fretless, but not in the traditional sense. The fingerboard is made of aluminum covered with black carbon composite. It has steps, almost like overlapping roof shingles instead of frets. I have 3 of these and can post pics this weekend if anyone is interested. The Electraglide is arguably the most innovative electric guitar ever put into production. One piece carbon, active electronics with push button switches and a digital readout facing up at the player. Uses a stereo cord out to a power supply box, then mono cord to the amp (sound familiar you Series guys?)

Bill, tgo

tbrannon · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:07:16 PM »

Bill,

I'm not a guitar guy, but I'd love to see that Bond Electraglide.

Toby

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2007, 10:37:10 PM »

There is a Bond at Guiatr Showcase in San Jose. It's a cool piece.

I think the guy in Screaming Headless Torsos plays a Vigier. If you want to hear some smokin' fretless guitar work. Check them out. Some of the best Funk Rock I've ever heard.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2007, 11:20:38 AM »

I also have a Vigier Surfretter guitar. The metal fretboard is made of what they call Delta Metal.
It's a good guitar but I haven't really got to grips with it well enough to make it my primary guitar.

I have used it live on a couple of occasions where I was playing lines and very limited chords, and once for a TV recording session where the band was playing to pre-recorded backing.

If I remember correctly didn't the guitarist for the band Big Audio Dynamite use one of those Bond guitars?

Jazzyvee