Zero Fret question...

[edward]

Can someone explain why makers use it and why some players prefer it? I just don't understand the rationale behind it. I'd appreciate an education here ...TIA!

Edward

[nmiller]

It serves two purposes: to set the string height in a way that isn't affected by poorly-cut nuts, and to even out the tone between fretted and open strings. The first shouldn't really be an issue on a well-made guitar, but I can verify that it does make a noticable difference in tone.

[tbonesullivan]

with a zero fret the open strings sound more like the fretted strings. also you get the lowest possible action on the lower frets.

[Sandy Cheeks]

I've noticed some negativity towards them and that may be because some cheap guitars used them.

[Terry McInturff]

I do not like them. It becomes a prob when the strings wear a notch in the zero fret (not a prob if you use stainless wire)...but most of my clients do not want every string to be the same height above the 1st fret....nor do I.

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by Terry McInturff

I do not like them. It becomes a prob when the strings wear a notch in the zero fret (not a prob if you use stainless wire)...but most of my clients do not want every string to be the same height above the 1st fret....nor do I.

+1 . . . I totally agree. The zero fret seems to cause more issues than it was intended to overcome.

[edward]

Ahhh, ok, I get the rationale. Thanks for that!
But just as was mentioned here, I always thought the lack of control over each indiv string's height is a huge negative. Not to mention the excellent point (which never occured to me) about a notch wearing into one. Thanks for the education, all! At least now I know why I don't like em

Edward

[Soapbarstrat]

The plus is that every string contact point can be very rounded, if someone payed enough attention to detail. The down side : I've never seen anyone pay the attention to detail to a zero fret set-up the way a traditional nut set-up gets payed attention to.

[bulletbob]

They have an odd feel, and aren't appropriate for bending strings... Even with low action, the zero fret guitars just aren't good for modern playing with lots of bending... bob

[nmiller]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

They have an odd feel, and aren't appropriate for bending strings... Even with low action, the zero fret guitars just aren't good for modern playing with lots of bending... bob

My experience is the opposite; since the can move laterally along the zero fret, it actually makes it easier to bend.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by nmiller

My experience is the opposite; since the can move laterally along the zero fret, it actually makes it easier to bend.

Not me... Over the decades of guitar playing, most of us have gotten used to the feeling of a string giving a certain feel when bent upward across the board,,, When it rolls across a piece of wire instead of being secured in a well cut nut, the feel is totally wrong.. There's a good reason zero frets are rarely used on modern guitars used for modern playing techniques.

[Whiskeyrebel]

If a zero fret is used, could careful location of the tuning pegs control the string spacing so as to eliminate the need for even a 'spacer' nut?

A 'towel bar' type string tree could maintain downward angle on the zero fret to avoid variation in pressure caused by varying degrees of wrap on the pegs.

[Zach.drummond]

We all know that different nut materials will impart their own tone on a guitar, so it should make sense then that a zero fret being made of metal would have its own tone.

Don't believe it? Try it out this way...

With a non zero fretted guitar play a lick based around open notes. Such as this song's second verse...

Verse 2
E
|----------0--|
|-9p7-9-5—--0-|4x
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|

A
|------------0--|
|-10p9-10-5—--0-|2x
|---------------|
|---------------|
|---------------|
|---------------|

B
|----------0--|
|-4p2-4-0—--0-|2x
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|

E
|----------0--|
|-9p7-9-5—--0-|2x
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|

---------------------------------------------------------------

Play the part a couple times.

Now snap a capo onto the 2nd fret and play the same part relative to capo 2.

Listen to the difference in tone between the the notes that fall in contact with the guitar nut and the second fret. Playing the guitar without an amp, the difference will be subtile. Through an amp the difference will be more apparent.

Hear the difference? Told you...

BTW, cool points to whoever can say what song this verse is from!

[ef_in_fla]

Who does use a zero fret these days? I look at a lot of guitars online and I can't recall even seeing one.

[Eugene]

Originally Posted by ef_in_fla

Who does use a zero fret these days? I look at a lot of guitars online and I can't recall even seeing one.

Gretsch G6120-1959LTV among others......couple of other models as well.