I've seen this referred to here on the forums....but I don't know what it means. Can someone please explain to me what a "zero fret" is? I had thought it was the same thing as the nut, but now I'm not sure....
Zero fret?
- Thread starter mailman
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Monkeyswithladders
Well-known member
i'm pretty positive my flea uses the zero fret. not sure if all fleas do, but i'm 99% sure it does with the rosewood fretboard (sadly I'm at work and away from my beloved flea 
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UKISOCIETY
Well-known member
The new plastics from Japan are modeled after the Maccaferri Islanders and TV Pals from the 1950's. Harmony and Kay ukes that used plastic fretboards had zero frets. The Fleas and Flukes do too.
OP
OP
Exactly what I needed to know....thanks!
heyjude
Well-known member
I don't like 'em, much too hard to get your finger behind them when you want to play open strings.
Jude
Jude
I did a little research on zero frets when I was looking at a Laimana uke. From what I could gather, it relieves the nut from major adjustments for buzzing or other issues since the zero fret handles any unwanted vibration at the nut.
Bluke
Well-known member
If an instrument (guitar or uke) is made well, there is no need for a zero fret. It seems to be a manufacturing shortcut to avoid having to properly and accurately make and install a good nut.
buddhuu
Super Moderator (Retired)
You are mistaken. It is a design feature implemented for a purpose. In some instruments it is a positive selling point. Some splendid instruments feature zero frets.
seeso
Super Duper Moderator (Retired)
That's the other school of thought. The zero fret originally came about as a short cut.
buddhuu
Super Moderator (Retired)
I think it's more simply a question of approach. More than one way to skin a cat etc.
Some fine instruments do it that way on purpose: Fylde mandolins, Django Reinhardt's Selmer Maccaferri, the Gretsch Country Gent...
Not a flaw or a shortcut. A design choice.
This from Frank Ford on Frets.com:
On the other hand, he also says:
Some fine instruments do it that way on purpose: Fylde mandolins, Django Reinhardt's Selmer Maccaferri, the Gretsch Country Gent...
Not a flaw or a shortcut. A design choice.
This from Frank Ford on Frets.com:
On the other hand, he also says:
Bluke
Well-known member
Interesting. I own, or have owned, dozens of very high end stringed instruments, and none have ever had a zero fret, even my Michael Dunn, which is a world class modern instrument made to copy Django Reinhardt's Selmer Maccaferri.
buddhuu
Super Moderator (Retired)
And no reason why they should if the builder didn't see the need. Just as there is no reason why they shouldn't if the luthier decides that they should. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.
On folk mandolins I much prefer a zero fret. On bluegrass mandolins I have never seen a zero fret, nor do I think one would suit the playing style - the attack can be too vigorous.
One of my favourite acoustic guitars, an old Eko from the 70s, had a zero fret and was the most comfortable acoustic to play that I have ever held (shame about the thick top).
I do not like zero frets on electric guitars. Some folks do.
