Zero Frets: Why you not popular?

[Vince]

On paper, having a zero fret sounds like a good idea and yet, nobody much uses them.

Why is that? Its' mostly associated with cheap guitars of yesteryear.

[Single coil]

The newer Brian May guitars have them. I think they're a great idea.

[GrantB]

Why is that? Its' mostly associated with cheap guitars of yesteryear.

That's because the cheap guitars were trying to mimic the expensive guitars like Gretsch, who used them on their top of the line instruments. Their cheaper ones didn't (Anniversary for eg).

They work well...no issues with them.

[Miza]

Maybe it's a cost thing? Or maybe it changes the scale length? I dunno.

What I do know, is that Zero Frets would be a great name for a reggae band!

[twistedthoughts]

Isn't a zero fret redundant where there is a properly cut nut?

[GrantB]

No, bone/plastic sounds different from steel frets for open chords. That's one of the key points of a zero fret.

[jeremyb]

Zero frets are great, but do wear from bends... Next guitar I build will have one!

[Aquila Rossa]

there is one problem I found playing a Brian May guitar. When doing two interval bends at the second fret on the G string, the string moves on the zero fret instead of remaining fixing in a nut slot. The G string was pushed into the D string between the zero fret and the tuners. That made an audible clicking noise as they made contact. It did not feel right to me either.

[Vince]

Zero frets are great, but do wear from bends... Next guitar I build will have one!

Surely they shouldn't suffer more than other frets? Or am I missing something?

[GrantB]

there is one problem I found playing a Brian May guitar. When doing two interval bends at the second fret on the G string, the string moves on the zero fret instead of remaining fixing in a nut slot. The G string was pushed into the D string between the zero fret and the tuners. That made an audible clicking noise as they made contact. It did not feel right to me either.

This is the other, dark side of zero frets. ...Yeah, I can have the same issue but I gently tap the fret, making a tiny groove, or grove

[sidewinder]

Zero frets are great, but do wear from bends... Next guitar I build will have one!

Surely they shouldn't suffer more than other frets? Or am I missing something?

But wouldnt it suffer more because there is always a string being fretted against it?

[jeremyb]

Zero frets are great, but do wear from bends... Next guitar I build will have one!

Surely they shouldn't suffer more than other frets? Or am I missing something?

But wouldnt it suffer more because there is always a string being fretted against it?

Exactly!

[Polar Bear]

there is one problem I found playing a Brian May guitar. When doing two interval bends at the second fret on the G string, the string moves on the zero fret instead of remaining fixing in a nut slot. The G string was pushed into the D string between the zero fret and the tuners. That made an audible clicking noise as they made contact. It did not feel right to me either.

This is the other, dark side of zero frets. ...Yeah, I can have the same issue but I gently tap the fret, making a tiny groove, or grove

Or groves.

[NZRS-Dave]

Zero frets are great, but do wear from bends... Next guitar I build will have one!

Surely they shouldn't suffer more than other frets? Or am I missing something?

But wouldnt it suffer more because there is always a string being fretted against it?

Only for first fret notes / chords. So theoritically not anymore than any other fret.

[Jay]

Re old fashioned nuts;

Its' mostly associated with cheap guitars of today.

IMO, a well built neck with a zero fret is easier to set up for low action as you cannot go any lower....
Without a zero fret you can raise the action at the nut to avoid buzzing, which is quite handy if you have a wonky neck... or like to exercise your fingers.

I love zero frets on a well made guitar.