So, I'm the guy to whom John sold that guitar. I played it in standard tuning and used Elixir coated acoustic guitar strings on it. I really loved that guitar, but the problem I always had with it is it's very neck heavy. This is not a problem for John due to his playing position (seated with the lower bout of the guitar sitting on a small pillow in his lap and the neck elevated near his shoulder), but for me it was a constant issue, the neck always sliding down no matter what sort of strap I used. As much as I loved the guitar I was actually relieved when John offered to buy it back. Its transformation is interesting.
Wow, thanks for dropping by and sharing the story! I doubt I'd be able to get much out fo that instrument even tho I'd love to give it a go. Looks like it's most at home in John's hands, but Tim was tearing it on it too!
@@junka22 I'm sure I would be hopeless on its present fretless state. It still had frets when I owned it and beautiful low action as John plays with very low action because of his close voicing chord work. He had the frets pulled after he re-acquired the guitar.
So I pulled the frets out of one of my basses. I simply pulled them out and cleaned the slots with a saw to get rid of anything loose and then filled them with Dunham’s water putty. Once it was dry I gave it a quick sanding and the painted the fingerboard with a two part epoxy finish made for wooden countertops. I buffed it with 4/0 steel wool up and down the long way to take out the shine. It has stayed perfect for 30 years now. I use flat wound strings and they have left a little mark. I would expect more wear with round wound strings, still if it ever went bad it would be easy to sand the finish off and reapply the bar top varnish.
Very cool guys. One thing definitely worth checking out on fretless 6 string bass is Steve Bailey’s 2020 album Carolina. All duets… 6 string fretless bass, natural and artificial harmonica ++… duets with vocalists, guitarists, harmonica, bass etc etc…. Remarkably musical… not a show and tell act
Tim and John, I have followed both of you for a long time, I really like the style of each one of you, despite how different they are... A hug from Valencia, Spain ;o)
For anyone whos interested in hearing an amazing fretless guitarist, check out Issei Noro from Casiopea - great Japanese fusion guitarist who had a bunch of songs with fretless since the 80s, mainly as a melody instrument (obviously)..
I’m interested to hear what kind of baritone strings he has on this-size schedule and winding info. There’s an old forgotten danelectro U2 fretless in my closet somewhere. With the right strings and the baritone arrangement, it may be worth trying it out again.
Tim commented that they felt light. He's only tuned C-c and the scale is 29.5", so they're not going to be 'baritone' strings in the sense of what D'Addario, etc., offer. These might just be 12's, but certainly no more than 13's.
@@hunchiepunker I listened again to that part - 25.5", like a Tele. So for enough of a 'light' feel in C-standard to have Tim comment, I'd think he's using 12-54 gauge strings. Maybe slightly lower since I'm using D'Addario 12-53 on an acoustic tuned to open F. For my taste though, and intonation, on a fretted instrument, I'd rather use 13's.
@@m.charron Yeah you’re right, he said 25.5.” Looks like it might be time for me to get some Thomastic flats in 13, and tune the bugger down. Good thing I have some nut files around.
The real challenge for fret less bass or guitar is to play in tune without looking at your fingers. Damn difficult and needs hundreds/thousands of hours practice as any orchestral string player will tell you.
So, I'm the guy to whom John sold that guitar. I played it in standard tuning and used Elixir coated acoustic guitar strings on it. I really loved that guitar, but the problem I always had with it is it's very neck heavy. This is not a problem for John due to his playing position (seated with the lower bout of the guitar sitting on a small pillow in his lap and the neck elevated near his shoulder), but for me it was a constant issue, the neck always sliding down no matter what sort of strap I used. As much as I loved the guitar I was actually relieved when John offered to buy it back. Its transformation is interesting.
Wow, thanks for dropping by and sharing the story! I doubt I'd be able to get much out fo that instrument even tho I'd love to give it a go. Looks like it's most at home in John's hands, but Tim was tearing it on it too!
@@junka22 I'm sure I would be hopeless on its present fretless state. It still had frets when I owned it and beautiful low action as John plays with very low action because of his close voicing chord work. He had the frets pulled after he re-acquired the guitar.
@@DonMitchell50 I see, thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that the frets had been gone since before you had it
Wonderfully expressive guitar!! Thank you, John, for bringing it by! And very brave of you, Tim, for giving it a spin! 😁👍
It's so refreshing an delightful to see you two get such genuine joy from your music and your instruments. Thank you for sharing with us Tim!!!
So I pulled the frets out of one of my basses. I simply pulled them out and cleaned the slots with a saw to get rid of anything loose and then filled them with Dunham’s water putty. Once it was dry I gave it a quick sanding and the painted the fingerboard with a two part epoxy finish made for wooden countertops. I buffed it with 4/0 steel wool up and down the long way to take out the shine. It has stayed perfect for 30 years now. I use flat wound strings and they have left a little mark. I would expect more wear with round wound strings, still if it ever went bad it would be easy to sand the finish off and reapply the bar top varnish.
Erkan Ogur from Turkey is a pioneer in fretless guitar FYI. Great video; loved watching you and Mr. Stowell.
It’s a joy to listen to you guys! Love the sound and really like the slight out of tune character of the fretless Thanks so much!
Pat's solo on 97' Imaginary Day is nylon fretless with a slight drive and it's one of the best of all time. Absolute beast of a solo...
what a joy to watch and that looks to be an inspiring guitar - cheers guys
Very cool guys. One thing definitely worth checking out on fretless 6 string bass is Steve Bailey’s 2020 album Carolina. All duets… 6 string fretless bass, natural and artificial harmonica ++… duets with vocalists, guitarists, harmonica, bass etc etc…. Remarkably musical… not a show and tell act
Waaaw what a feel... That bass line was 🔥
Very cool sound, never heard a fret less baritone before!
thank you for sharing this I can t get enough from that sound and playin from both of you : )
The way to get sustain out of the high unwound strings is to use the fingernail’s of the left hand rather than the fingertips whenever possible.
Cenk Erdogan! Turky nylonstyle guitarist, and absolute phenomenal. Many people in turky play fretless...
Tim and John, I have followed both of you for a long time, I really like the style of each one of you, despite how different they are... A hug from Valencia, Spain ;o)
😄 John is sooo amazing 😄
Woao!
For anyone whos interested in hearing an amazing fretless guitarist, check out Issei Noro from Casiopea - great Japanese fusion guitarist who had a bunch of songs with fretless since the 80s, mainly as a melody instrument (obviously)..
The fret less and sweaterless guitar
I still have John's Hofner signature very thin guitar - beautiful tone.
There’s another reason to fill the pulled fret space… the neck will bow forward if you don’t fill those spaces
Nice sound. What string gauges and brand is used on it?
Thanks for watching, David. I use Thomastik Benson flat wound (.013-.052) strings on this guitar.
@@johnstowell6240 Thanks for the info. I’m gonna give it a try.
Randy Roos in the Boston area used to play fretless guitar years ago...don't know if he is still active...he did have a vinyl with fretless guitar.
I’m interested to hear what kind of baritone strings he has on this-size schedule and winding info. There’s an old forgotten danelectro U2 fretless in my closet somewhere. With the right strings and the baritone arrangement, it may be worth trying it out again.
Tim commented that they felt light. He's only tuned C-c and the scale is 29.5", so they're not going to be 'baritone' strings in the sense of what D'Addario, etc., offer. These might just be 12's, but certainly no more than 13's.
@@m.charron Makes sense. I think he says that the scale is 24.5 inches.
@@hunchiepunker I listened again to that part - 25.5", like a Tele. So for enough of a 'light' feel in C-standard to have Tim comment, I'd think he's using 12-54 gauge strings. Maybe slightly lower since I'm using D'Addario 12-53 on an acoustic tuned to open F. For my taste though, and intonation, on a fretted instrument, I'd rather use 13's.
@@m.charron Yeah you’re right, he said 25.5.” Looks like it might be time for me to get some Thomastic flats in 13, and tune the bugger down. Good thing I have some nut files around.
Fred Astaire?
The real challenge for fret less bass or guitar is to play in tune without looking at your fingers. Damn difficult and needs hundreds/thousands of hours practice as any orchestral string player will tell you.
Jeff Bridges?
It’s a joy to listen to you guys! Love the sound and really like the slight out of tune character of the fretless Thanks so much!