The Last Bass Outpost
Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: Granny Gremlin on July 13, 2015, 07:59:45 AM
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So, there was that Gibson nut thing this model year that seems like a complete failure, but I have always been a fan of (properly executed ) zero frets or brass nuts. I never understood why the zero fret seemed to only be used on cheap import instruments (something of a stigma I suppose; we here at [insert premium American brand of choice here] have better workmanship so we don't need this) which ignores the fact that there are some significant benefits.
Anywho, now there is this product from Stew Mac:
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Nuts_and_Saddles/ZerO_Glide_Nuts.html?lac_guid=39829e61-a428-e511-9fbd-bc305bee17b9&utm_campaign=NPA_M703
I must say, I am intrigued. I like the idea (adding a zero fret or even a brass nut to an instrument without one is impossible/difficult). Aside from the price (which seems a bit ridiculous for a peice of molded plastic; the actual fretwire is not even included from what I can tell with a cursory glance - and that would make sense because how are they to know what guage you use), I 'm wondering what people think.
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I do think the fret is included. Otherwise it would be pretty useless wouldn't it ;)
The descripition suggests it is included:
"Strings glide freely on the polished fret, and return to tune fast and reliably."
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The Zero Glide website (http://www.zeroglide.com/) has a lot more info. Each kit comes with four different fret heights.
The problem with the 2015 Gibson "zero fret nut" assembly is that they apparently used a brass for the fret itself that's softer than a typical nickel silver fret, so there are many reports of grooves worn in the zero fret.
Gretsch used a zero fret on some high end models for many years.
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Thanks for the details there - in addition to including some fretwire, it looks like the nut part itself is bone too, so that makes me feel better about the price.
Anybody tried one on any type of instrument?
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First post here (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-cafe/538033-zero-glide-zero-fret-review.html) has a review from someone who actually installed one a few months ago. Doesn't answer the question of how durable they are.
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Cool invention!
Not only lower priced basses used them. Burns basses have a zero fret. Mr. Burns was seen as the British Leo Fender (I would prefer the British Les Paul) and made expensive basses with lots of nice touches. Gretsch was already mentioned.
Apart from the cheap German basses of the past, the popular German brand Sandberg uses a zero fret too. And some more boutique builders nowadays.
And of course the Rick of Macca, but that is aftermarket.
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They have been an aftermarket Mod for banjos for years.
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I don't mind either way. That an empty string sounds different to a fretted one never bothered me though, take up keyboard playing if it does. :mrgreen:
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It's not just that. There's setup/maintenance benefits too.
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agreed about setup... the zero fret would eliminate obsessing over nut slot depth
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I have files for that. 8)
But I do like the concept of nut sluts. Must be another great American invention.
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It's the risk of typing after having a couple "Over the Rhine's"...(beloved Cincinnati Beer)...affectionately called OTR's
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The Magnatone Hurricane also had one.
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It's the risk of typing after having a couple "Over the Rhine's"...(beloved Cincinnati Beer)...affectionately called OTR's
No reason to be all coy about it, you already have a dictionary entry, congrats:
http://de.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nutslut
"Top Definition
nutslut
Someone, usually a woman, who is both mentally unhinged and promiscuous.
That Rachel's such a nutslut: I wouldn't let her within a mile of my fiance."
* * * * * *
Cunning linguists in this forum everywhere!
"... who is both mentally unhinged and promiscuous" = Best of both worlds really. :popcorn:
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I always thought when first seeing the brass nuts in the early 70's that the idea was to have even sound open and fretted and no wear and tear. Bruce Johnson told me he would not build a bass without a zero fret. The Hofner bass always had them. Inhave a Yamaha BB 2024 which has some very modern approaches on body build, string angle through body AND using the same material for both frets and the nut. The sound is definitly even open and fretted.
In the Stewmac article and the website for these fellows there is no mention of bass anywhere I could find. Strange that....
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I'm probably a heretic here, in that I don't notice tone as much as playability. I like that a zero fret on a Hofner puts the nut at just the correct height.
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I mentioned in another thread that Gibson was responding to complaints about wear on its "zero fret nut" by offering a prototype replacement. A guy at the MLP forum has received his, and what a fail! It's some kind of casting. It's rough and has pits a couple of good size divots. Here's one of the pics he posted.
I wouldn't put anything like this on a $100 Squier, much less an expensive Gibson.
(http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg498/curnowla/thumb_IMG_0029_1024_zpsbxzipabt.jpg)
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Just when you think they couldn't do any worse.
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I mentioned in another thread that Gibson was responding to complaints about wear on its "zero fret nut" by offering a prototype replacement. A guy at the MLP forum has received his, and what a fail! It's some kind of casting. It's rough and has pits a couple of good size divots. Here's one of the pics he posted.
I wouldn't put anything like this on a $100 Squier, much less an expensive Gibson.
(http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg498/curnowla/thumb_IMG_0029_1024_zpsbxzipabt.jpg)
No surprise here - Gibson has proven that they have zero regard to Quality Control and certainly don't have any corporate culture that would begin to embrace it. It's a top down thing and we know who is at the top.
For what they are charging for their new guitars they could easily machine, CNC anyone?, the part out of a high quality stainless alloy.
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No surprise here - Gibson has proven that they have zero regard to Quality Control and certainly don't have any corporate culture that would begin to embrace it. It's a top down thing and we know who is at the top.
For what they are charging for their new guitars they could easily machine, CNC anyone?, the part out of a high quality stainless alloy.
Exactly. Even if the guitars were less expensive, with the quantity they sell, a CNC machined part couldn't make that much difference in raw cost.
I would forget the zero fret and replace the assembly with a regular nut made of bone or Tusq. You'd have to place the nut where the zero fret portion is, then sand or machine the area behind it to a lower height.
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That looks like something from a Danelectro bass, not a Gibson
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That looks like something from a Danelectro bass, not a Gibson
The Danelectro castings are better than that!
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I agree-I've had 2 Longhorns, and the quality control was actually quite good on both. Both played well out of the box.