Zero fret

As a zero fret (English Zero Fret ) the frets is called before the 1st fret, just behind the saddle, on the fingerboard of string instruments.

The strings of an instrument equipped with zero fret are in this covenant to always, which ungegriffen be played strings ( "empty string " ) just sound like fretted stringed. Occasionally, is selected for the zero fret compared to the rest of stronger Frets Fret Wire. This occurs because the zero fret, should be the highest point of support of the strings on the fingerboard, so the strings when playing any unwelcome noise due to low position cause ( " buzz "). The immediately preceding the zero fret saddle thus falls only to the task of determining the distance between the individual strings.

A zero fret has several advantages: The height of the remaining frets of the instrument can be in their assembly ( " Frets " ) Syndicate easier. The adjustment of the depth of the saddle notches eliminated because the zero fret determines the height of the string action. In addition, there is a metallic zero fret, compared with bone and plastic saddles, less susceptible to wear caused by the friction of the strings.

Guitarist whose playing style on strong string bending ( string -bending ) is aligned with a zero fret feel but often distracting, because the strings undergo a limitation by lateral displacement only in the leadership of the saddle notches. The strings slide when pulling even on the distant past zero fret, on the one hand makes it difficult to bend a little and on the other hand occasionally leaves each string outside of its original starting position.

The zero fret popped in instrument for the first time in the 1920s, and is considered to be European, if not as a German innovation. One indication of this is the Anglo-American usage, where the zero fret as German Fret ( " Deutsches frets " ) is called. In fact, the zero fret is found in many stahlbesaiteten instruments of European production, among other things, the fingerboards of the legendary Maccaferri guitars.

Real and elevated zero fret

A real zero fret is when the height of the last fret rod in continuation of the fingerboard at the same height as that of the previous frets. A spurious zero fret has a higher frets and therefore has a higher action result, which leads to the same intonation problems as in the more common upper saddle.

Intonation of the guitar in a prime location

Under intonation refers to the strict compliance with the pitch equal temperament, or the deviation of the pitch of the played note of the defined setpoint. Raising the strings through the upper saddle or spurious zero fret causes the string tension when depressed on the first and second flange is greater than at the subsequent frets. The higher the Action, the clearer the detuning of the fretted notes. Most affected is the G string with the G # on the first fret and thus the E major chord in the first position. Due to equal temperament, the third is already higher than in the natural triad and the additional increase by the tension of the strings on the first fret, the sound is even more out of tune. An excessive string height at the end of the fingerboard makes the first and second position in many guitars almost unplayable. Deviations of the Gis on the first fret of 10 cents are not uncommon, especially in steel strings.

Although a very low string height at the nut or zero fret improves intonation and playability, but the danger of Saitenklirrens is greater. To compensate for the string height must be increased at the dock. A curved fingerboard is in guitar has not been customary. Only the Concert Zither knows such a fingerboard with appropriate corrections, the federal government clearances around despite the fingerboard curvature to achieve the exact intonation.