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thatiAM said:
Sound clip?

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ShroomieOfDoomie said:

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thatiAM said:
Sound clip?

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why? im sure its more about the feel of playing than the sound.
that site he posted has artists that use fretless.

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The site has lots of songs submitted by musicians that use fretless guitars. Just check out the "hall of sounds" section for some great examples.  As for the feel: Just imagine four fingertip slides at your disposal   Oh how wonderful...

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adamj said:

There is a transition phase,
from guitar to fretless guitar.
Its like walking all your life on Earth
and then suddenly finding you can fly.
All the fixed points
you relied upon are gone,
you are;

U N F R E T T E D

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Thats my signature at the Harmony Central forums.  It truly says it all. 

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Damn now I'm tempted to unfret my Strat

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Do you have any other guitars?  If not, I wouldnt recommend it.  This is my cheap guitar that was just sitting around collecting dust, so I figured why not?  If you have another electric, than I would highly recommend it.  It is quite a fun process, plus the feeling you get when you finally plug it in and play is unparalleled.  The hardest thing I am dealing with right now is getting the action set properly.  The neck has to be super smooth and dead straight.  The website recommends using only up to 300 grit, but I recommend you get some 400 and 600 to really get things smooth.   

BTW, where abouts in Ontario are you?

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Quoiyaien said:

BTW, where abouts in Ontario are you?

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2 hrs north of Toronto, Wasaga Beach area

I'll take your advice of not unfretting my strat just yet. Maybe I'll get that Godin I've been eyeing at the guitar store 

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Quoiyaien said:
Go microtones! 

You know what they say about there being an infinite number of points along a line

Just imagine 6 lines...

I have been playing this guitar today for a few hours now and I have been getting some realy groovy indian scales.

For those that know about music, the base scales that I like to use (not including the infinite number of microtones) are:

Dorian #4 (my favorite) - 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7 8
Phrygian Dominant - 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Hungarian minor - 1 2 b3 #4 5 b6 b7 8
Bhairav - 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7 8
Mixolydian - 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8
Ionian (major) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


To find these scales play a major scale starting anywhere, and modify the tones as indicated.  A 'b' symbol means lower the tone, and a '#' symbol means to raise the tone.  For example, for Dorian #4, you could simply play a dorian scale with an augmented 4th, or using the intervals above, play a major scale but lower the 3rd note, raise the 4th, and lower the 7th.  There you have it. 

Most of the time I will tune to CGCFGC (DADGAD lowered one step, as I am using flatwounds on this guitar, so I like to tune it down to compensate for the heavy gauge) and use the lower 2-3 strings for drones, and play along the 3rd string.  So much fun.  With this tuning, I can get so many sounds from all over the world. I love this new guitar!

Even in standard tuning it is a hell of a lot of fun.  It can get really bluesy and funky. 9th, 7#9, 13, and +11 chords sound awesome mixed with a pentatonic blues/mixolydian hybrid scale - 1 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 6 b6 7 8.  Its nice and big so you can get those crazy altered tones no problem.  Plus with all the slide possibilities, well...

Though the best thing with scales is to learn the sounds, and just play with your ears.  The sound is all that's important. 

I'll try and get a solo raga jam (thats what I call it ) recorded and post it up here when I can.  I dont really have the facilities here, but perhaps I can next friday when I am at the studio. 

Peace

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Syle said:

could you explain these tunings a little? i am not following how each string should be tuned to get those different tunings/keys.

thanks

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If you are referring to the open tunings, the way I list the notes is from Low E to High E.  So for DADGAD, you would:

First drop your Low E to a D using the 4th string for reference
Then tune the 5th string 7th fret harmonic, to the 6th string 5th fret harmonic.
From there (assuming your tuning and intonation are set correctly) match the open B string to the 12th fret harmonic on the 5th string
Then match the first string 7th fret harmonic, to the second string 5th fret harmonic.

You now have a guitar tuned to DADGAD.  As for how to use it, well it takes a lot of experimentation.  I usually show alternate tunings such as these to my students when they feel like they are in a rut.  Opens up an entirely new sonic universe.

As for the guitar itself, I am getting it fitted with a glass fingerboard, a fernandes sustainer in the neck, and a Hipshot trilogy bridge (Each individual saddle is lever adjustable to 3 different notes, makes open tunings possible to get to in the middle of a song without having to switch guitars).  This thing just keeps getting better!!

Peace

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cpw1971 said:
anyone ever played a scalloped fret guitar?? they are great for the higher notes because where your finger bends around the string doesnt touch the neck. They are good for fast stuff but you cant press too hard or it would bend the note too high.

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