Fretless acoustic guitar with glass fretboard

This is an experimental instrument I had the idea for several years back. This is just a demo video. Yes, I know the intonation is terrible. This video was made the day that I made the guitar, and I wasn't (nor am I now) accustomed to the feel. If you'd care to read more about it, go to this site. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-fretless-guitar-with-a-glass-fr...

The tune, which I butchered, is called "Vette", it's a Django Reinhardt number. If you'd like to hear what it *should* sound like, look up the Selmer 607 album on here.
The backing track is from this site:
http://nuagesdeswing.free.fr/jouer/jouer_index2.html

Hope you dig it!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• fretless
• acoustic
• guitar
• archtop
• experiment
• avant
• garde
• jazz
• glass
• fret
• less
• guitarfretboard
• guitarman63mm

[SteffanLlwyd]

Can you tell me how much wear has taken place in the glass?

[guitarman63mm]

@SteffanLlwyd None at all, but I think I've only played it for a total of 8 hours or so since I made it.

[SteffanLlwyd]

@guitarman63mm Thanks for letting me know. In your video you can 'hear the glass' (as compared with regular brass fretted necks). That difference is worth having. (It's why I always use glass slides rather than metal ones on my 12 string with open G tuning.) Keep us posted with any news on how your playing is getting on, and how that glass neck is standing up to wear.... 'cos I'm working on a glass-necked guitar design too. But In mine I'm going to try glass frets too...

[guitarman63mm]

@SteffanLlwyd

It's worth mentioning that the volume is really quite low out of the instrument. My original idea was a neck with interchangeable fretboards - one glass, one standard fretted, and one made of stainless steel - but work has kept me from pursuing it. I just hope the steel one doesn't sound scratchy from the ridges, but I suppose if the brushing is perpendicular to the strings, that should be lowered.

[MariosTsak]

Great tone! and the song is well played as well (keeping in mind that that is your first ride)

I 've been trying to find which chords are they/you playing on the rhythm guitar. Lead guitar is so clear to play, but the backing isn't that clear, as in your version as in the original recording. Can't find it on the net or the real/fake books either. Any tips? All I found out is that its a Gmaj7 (maybe with additions) for the first part. but then I cant even get to the fundamentals. ! Keep it up!

[guitarman63mm]

@MariosTsak You can find many chords to Django's versions of tunes at the following site. The only problem is that they often add additions that either aren't there or simply aren't audible, and the voicings you choose can sound pretty off. Once you listen to enough standards, you'll just recognize certain devices, such as the cliche I-IV-I-iv, moving from ii-V and back, etc. It's the damned additions on a recording from 1936 that get you...

[OtterpopSlaughterMop]

Never trust a lefty.

[kriebeltjes]

Awesome, dude!

[DJReiko]

Spongebob called. He wants his guitar back.

[plexiseagull]

Hehe, cool ;)

[plexiseagull]

Hehe, cool ;)

[ButtsexV2]

have you lost any fingers on that thing? I imagine the edges of the fingerboard would be quite sharp.

[chocolatedonut31]

Inspired by Django Reinhardt eh?

[mirraco99]

PLAY THE SPONGE BOB THEME SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!