Guthrie Govan Vigier Fretless Guitar Demo - Guitar Interactive Magazine

[MetalisMental]

guys should be good at the bending

[SuperGuitarSlut]

HOLY SHIT ITS GUITAR JESUS.

[cbertram11]

13:00 O.O

[AeonsOfFrost]

4:35 made me laugh.

[PeaceDisturber]

This is like those mock John Petrucci videos with the voice over. Except its for real. 

[pepectm]

@PeaceDisturber I will take this as a joke, so i'll laugh, hahaha.

[ReminiscenceHr]

00:12 - 00:17 check out Metheny's solo from Imaginary Day. Guthrie has incredible taste in music. This just goes to prove that the secret to creativity really is hiding your sources. Even though that process happens subconsciously.

[TalkToTheBody]

this guy must be the world's best guitarist, fretless with no markers WTF???

[lovejon2death]

mans a genius

[machone7I]

So, according to him, he still doesn't know how to play it...

[RIPLatashaHarlins]

my dream is to have a real lesson with Guthrie

[cbertram11]

hes soo musical he cant even talk without rhyming it.

[PhukTheLogic]

Lol, he can't play the guitar... he RAPES it.

[stbreal]

this tells you that technical guys actually can play the blues so suck it

[cbertram11]

is it possible of getting the last backing track??!?! i really want to jam it out!?

[LonelyScorpio1000]

Hey guys! What is that thing he plays with between at 7:57-9:03?

[Dalmonius]

@LonelyScorpio1000 He is using an Ebow.

[ZoeRydahNigguhChiken]

how can one single person be this badass all at once. its just mean...

[SuperGuitarSlut]

@ZoeRydahNigguhChiken I went' on down to the crossroads'

[StewieTravolta]

You can give a piece of paper to this guy and he will find a way to make awesome music out of it!

[slashdelbarrio]

I'm wondering why Pat Metheny does not play Last Train Home with this and some modulation effects, it would sound beutiful..

[sm0kinstrat]

i wanna hang out and get stoned with this guy while he jams...

[Lazzle22]

4:46 SickAnimation.

[OrisLover]

Wow! I've never heard anything like that before in my life! Thanks for the education.

[theguitarczar]

This guy is super cool

[yinyangthang]

OMG! Slide guitar without the slide!

[VoBonoSocialClub]

THERE IS FRETLESSNESS

[MrGodPowered]

I want one... apparently sliding is the key to winning on a fretless, atleast that is what bumblefoot (ron thal) says

[KARVAKY]

Do violins have frets??

No.

You can use partitures for this.

[swamdono]

Has anyone on Youtube played one of these? Im wondering if you can achieve natural harmonics on it. And whether they become available all the way down the neck, instead of just at intervals but being crappy in the other areas (you know which I mean).

Also, love the Airplane Flange effect you can get.

Also-Also, Tom Morello would have a field day with this.

[Qu3ridity]

@swamdono

I haven't played it, but I assume natural harmonics are no problem at all.

That has nothing to do with frets being on the guitar neck.

[swamdono]

@Qu3ridity

Really? I thought they were the string lightly touching the fret.

10 years and still learning things about it lol. Mind you, after watching Guthrie play I often feel like I know nothing at all.

[Qu3ridity]

@swamdono

Haha I can imagine that. Seeing a genius at work always makes you humble..

But no, with the natural harmonics you are damping out some frequencies, because you slightly touch the string. If you want to know precisely, you should study some sound physics about node and antinodes, and (ground) harmonics.

The frets can be helpful with memorizing where to dampen the harmonics, but they've got nothing to do with the sound itself and how it's produced ;)

[1108boy]

"i'm still learning myself" and pililililpipipiwww...

[transam6x6]

If this guy "hasn't learned to play it yet", I'm fucked. 

[MiltonGore]

Guthrie is an amazing musician. This is a GREAT demonstration of how to play a fretless.

[mashafasha5]

The fretboard appears to be made from pure gold.

[OKandNOWwhat]

10:19 Notice that Guthrie takes breaths during rests like a horn player.

[TOMSGROOVES]

There is fretlessness

[MrSnowman958]

yeah i understand the chords but which fret????

[MCdouchbag]

what was the music tipe chords guthrie was playing from 9:35 to 9:45, please someone reply for i have been long searching for it

[antipuc1]

@MCdouchbag jazz

[12rotter]

What does he mean 'check you can play in tune'? Jeff Beck can play it all out of tune with all the dots and frets.

[xPersnickityBobx]

"I hope to make another video like this in about 10 years when I learn how to play it properly"

*starts shredding*

[arthurbersanmaia]

I don't get the dislikessss

[jadadaya]

can you do harmonics with it?

[rokkoshamy22]

@jadadaya yep, it doesn't matter if the guitar fretted guitar or not =)

[GrimReapah5]

@jadadaya Of course. You can even slide or "bend" harmonics :D

[karkiuz]

04:38 Did he just whistle ?

[dontdissheavymetal]

i was wondering:

can you get fret buzz on a fretless guitar? *jk* :D

[mikey3335]

@dontdissheavymetal lmao!! for some odd reason i laughed so had when i read this

[lorddevil11]

MAN, that final solo was so SICK !!

[StevenStormTrooper]

10 minutes*

[kongonbong]

I must have one! a great wedding gift!

[GrenadeCatcher]

I would just make led fret inlays on the neck which would still keep it fretless but have lighted frets.

[ncorva]

7:27 one of the tastiest licks i've ever heard

[cbertram11]

13:02 soooo sooo orgasmic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oviefofah]

someone show jeff beck this thing

[MrClasir]

I love when he says -don't be too distracted that there's "fretlessness"-

[KeKeKedhvsc]

sounds like jeff beck, which is pretty cool

[blahkaw98]

Hm. Idk, GG is definitely a candidate for greatest living guitarist in the world in my opinion (greatest living guitarist in the world that I know of, that is)

[PikaCook]

What you have to do is not to be distracted by the fact there is fretlessness!! O.o

[Naverpace]

Who needs violins...?

[J3ipolarGod]

Where can I buy one?

[6gpower]

@J3ipolarGod The are def/ no cheap date. Try one of these.

I know it's not a Strat shape but it will get you there..

Got to the Rondo Music website...

[J3ipolarGod]

Steve Vai, eat your fucking heart out.



[6gpower]

@J3ipolarGod fuuny..yeah >guthrie is def/ taking the world by storm.

[Ignore14]

I really really want one of these.

[yisavico123456]

he's an alien that makes a little bit of music......I LOVE IT!!!

[LanceSaunders]

4:15 my buddy's dad's guitars have two graphite strips for rigidity, vibrance guitars.. That fretless is fucking awesome, also

[riko879]

this style is better than FLOYD ROSE :D

[NintendoSinceBirth1]

it sounds just like slide

[hardyrulez96]

never thought id want a fretless..

[CoreThrasherGLB]

Hey guys I figures out the tabs:

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-­0-0000-000-0-0-00

[Nicatus]

@CoreThrasherGLB Technically it would be 1-1-1-1-1--1-1-1-1-1-1-1 maybe a 0 in there every now and then xD

[CoreThrasherGLB]

@Nicatus But there are no frets lol. he's pressing a string but its technically open because of the fretless fret board XD

[Nicatus]

@CoreThrasherGLB Its more of one giant fret :P But it works either way. I just wish I could play like that. Not to be a doucher but I like to think im pretty good. Just nowhere near his level.

[RTEareSOMEshower]

@CoreThrasherGLB I nearly fell off the chair laughing at that one.. :-)

[ArseLoad0fMetal666]

@CoreThrasherGLB actually the tab would be more like binary cuz of open strings:

0-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-0-1-1-1-0-1-1-­0-1-1-1-0-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-­1-1-1-0-0-0-1-1-1-1-0

[McPhersonBassMaster]

@ArseLoad0fMetal666

You're new here, aren't you?

[mr4y]

@ArseLoad0fMetal666 Actually, you have to know written notation. No frets means you need to learn by nowing where the notes are.

[Rascarguitar]

@mr4y ????!

[Bing42]

Fretlessness. LOL

[maziku]

that intro is just fucking phenominal 

[MLplayer78]

the sliding and vibrato stuff sounds amazing, but overall most things sound a little out of tune to me. anyone else thinking the same thing?

[francisco444]

@MLplayer78 thats the point of the fretless instrument man. Plus Govan plays lots of outside notes.

[Eivind91sa]

@MLplayer78 Isn't that kind of the charm about it?

[SirXander]

"I hope to make another video like this in about 10 years, when I've learned to play it properly".

Yeah. 'Cause now it's just shitty playing, uh? xD

[fanqueen]

Es un animal este loco!

[Thebudgeismetal]

"odd looking insturment made by french people"

[mingoos4294]

What if you use a slide with that guitar....will it sound like a kazoo?

[TheZaherell]

2:21 to 2:34

I so loove light hearted major improv like that..

[FrankJoeVids]

Too good



[MilesE94]

seriously breathed a sigh of relief when he showed the fret markers

[matt2eadgbe]

@MilesE94 for some reason, I don't think it matters to him

[Ignore14]

@matt2eadgbe eventually your fingers memorize where the frets are. for me it would just be the problem of getting it precise.

[roundhousekicker88]

By God, I could make the most amazing metal in the world if I had one of those.

[Craigharrismusic]

wanted fretless guitar

*watches video*

Gives up fretted guitar

[flyingsquirrel73]

When you learn how to play it properly?...Guthrie, you so funny

[safir890]

Erkan Ogur - Fretless Guitar Improvisation

[safir890]

watch '' mor dağlar erkan oğur '' in youtube

[safir890]

fretless inventede by turkish guitar virtuoso Erkan Ogur. Watch his videos to get more taste and idea....

[taurusclimber]

I want one. 

[pipsqueek14]

how low is the action? it cant be that low cause you get fretbuzz then :P

[warrenmusic]

Humble guy. 100% correct about the guitar being a young instrument. We have not learned all the ways to play it yet.

[zeeLibertiner]

that wah part sounded like an alien was singing :D guthrie, you're a GENIUS!

[Dbsolo7]

Guthrie paving the way.

[TheWeemaster]

Just do another video Guthrie! You don't need 10 years, you already HAVE mastered the fretless...

[Gromeul]

Great guitar & great guitar player!

[Mellunacy]

Eric <3

[cbertram11]

he should totaly play waves on that XD!

[cbertram11]

i was going to ask for tabs for this but.........yeahhh ahem.

[FukTheSystem6969]

@cbertram11 TABS: 11---1--1-1-1111----1-1-1111

[LanceSaunders]

@cbertram11 You'd need sheet music for this, that way you know the PITCH of the note, not the fret the pitch is on

[bbnatedogg]

@cbertram11 I think it goes....0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/­0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0. Hope this helps!

[charliehustlenflow]

that is a fuckin coooool sound

[Horrorbeard]

You can slide pinch harmonics?

[brianclark420]

@Horrorbeard he can

[simonhayden]

@Horrorbeard hi yes on a fretless, even works well on a double bass!

[leddeath80]

@simonhayden tabs aye. well it's urm 1 on the e then 1 the a then 1 on the d etc.

[serjglagolev]

what is neck made of? if i am right it is a metal or something like but noot wood. dud i want to have it))

[Dippaification]

@serjglagolev he said..... it is an unnanounced alloy

[legusti]

@serjglagolev yes, the neck is covered by a metal "strip" calles Delta. It's a kind of Vigier "secret touch" ;)

[mokaey]

makes me feel like...

whats the point....

i just want to burn my guitars...

damn...

cuz this is like oh shit...

[shishir16089]

this guy is a genius

[Gege42]

and he says he can't play it properly yet...

[RadioActivityMusic]

Steve Vai should be playing one of these.

[WestfieldExplorer]

@RadioActivityMusic steve vai does have a fretless neck on his triple neck guitar.

[MrJoeybigz]

this has turned the guitar world on its head!!! love it!!

[Ispeakbreebree]

so fucking sick

[cmjpgreen]

Would love to get that neck on those crazy blues

[SirCosmoBonsor]

Seems like a thoroughly bloody nice bloke.

Great, balanced vid of an interesting instrument.

[MatKiller1197]

MY UNCLE WILL LOVE IT

[gitarrerabahn]

Great explanation for using a fretless guitar.

I built my own fretless ( just file down the frets of a cheap guitar ) and made the same experiences.

[1dannyrios]

Gi guitarists are super people!!! GREAT PLAYERS!!!!

[dillon123met]

i think wah pedals equal love makin' music :P

[SubquestionFilms]

8:58 - Cuckoo's Nest theme song. It was probably a theramin in the movie but it sounds pretty damn close!

[ZenotheMetalWarrior]

you would definitely want flat-wound string with this guitar

[joshtits]

very Pat Metheny

[bloodthirst72]

I only discovered this guy about six months ago and I must say he's insanely great. I don't think there's a thing he can't play. Even more important is the way he comes up with clever and interesting guitar passages that are unique.

[Sulcuscentralis]

I can watch this guy playing all day long.

[ZoSo5885]

Jeff Beck- Brush With Blues! Gotta love it man! Awesome guitar!

[bordertown]

Guthrie seriously needs to ditch Suhr and sign with Vigier.

[varezza]

black stripe on the back of a neck is carbon, not a graphite (as guthrie said)

[TheDustyPanther]

@varezza graphite is an allotrope of carbon (google it). Both you and guthrie are right, guthrie was just more specific.

Sorry for being incredibly pedantic :P

[scorpionz44]

guthrie is way better than andy, he shuld do the covers of songs

[scorpionz44]

dam these guitars cost like 3000 grand

[falcoperegrinus82]

I prefer stringless myself.

[jodstasic]

5:04 enter RODEO MUSIC

[nantiodilagaro]

Jethro Tull!

[Mokelembe]

Not only he is one of the best guitarists out there (the best IMHO), but one of the smartest too. Everything he says makes sense and to a guitarist it is golden. I hope i will see him live once.

[FreaquedeMusique]

Dont like his style but damn that shits soulful!! If BB wouldve had one in his days.. Could you imagine....

[birdfishman]

More like, It's gonna take 10 years for this fretless guitar to learn to play Guthrie Govan.

[pfloydguy]

I could listen to him play all day, but I could listen to him talk all day too.

[bencontradancer]

its an odd little instrument made by french people.

[weeareabsenthearts]

'I hope to make another video like this in about 10 years when I've learnt how to play it properly' - *proceeds to shred mercilessly*

[Incisionator]

"I want to make another video in 10 years, when I've learned to play it properly." Right, instead of the ridiculous solo after that, he could have just said: "Just kidding".

[stevedaikovai]

1 giant fret= fretfull guitar xD

[Jamsessionroom1337]

That e-bow is something to keep in mind though, i like the sounds it makes.

[syntheticskull]

@Jamsessionroom1337 Yeah it would be perfect for more experimental doom/black metal ideas. Damn things cost a fortune though...

[Jamsessionroom1337]

Why not just paint lines in it?, i'm sure that'll help alot of us noobs out.

[Strijkspray]

@Jamsessionroom1337 Well it doesn't really look like a fretless that much if you've painted frets. Besides there are fret markers on the top of the fretboard/fingerboard to help you out :-)

[Jamsessionroom1337]

@Strijkspray Not like a dragon painting or something (although that would be kick ass) but like a couple of dots in the frets.

But i'll stick to my fretted string, although that E-bow is kickass.

[Strijkspray]

@Jamsessionroom1337 Yeh you're right. It could look really cool if there's some wicked painting on the fretboard. As long as it fits the guitar :-) Doesn't even have to be fret marking.

And what's with that E-bow by the way? You're right It's really cool but I don't really understand it. I read that it works with magnetic pulses?

[Jamsessionroom1337]

@Strijkspray I have no idea, i have to look into it.

Nice chatting peace. :)

[ChrisOfMetal]

What a dude.

[jan1080]

Btw, making your own fretless = kickass. But the sustain you get from fleshy fingers and just wood = hoooooooooorrible the further up the neck you go.

I made my own fretless, and I still DEFINITELY want a Surfreter. Amazing instrument.

[jan1080]

To tune it, you just need to get one of the strings in tune according to an external source, then just tune it using the harmonics on e.g. the 5th and 7th fret of each string, and then match them so they're identical. For the G and B string, you need to find an extra harmonic near the 4.2 fret of the G string and match it with the 5th fret of the B- string, as the B is tuned a major third from the G.

In short: Harmonics.