Fret Marker Advice

CharlesSmith · January 2010

Hello Everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm having a pal of mine build me a Favino copy, and he wants to know where I want the 9th/10th fret marker. It is my understanding that it "should" go at the 10th fret, but I have only every played guitars with a 9th fret marker, so this would be an adjustment. Have any of you made the switch? Is it worth the hassle for authenticity? Or should I just have it put at the 9th fret?

Thanks,

Charlie

Michael Bauer · January 2010

It's totally personal. I made the switch and find having a marker at the 10th fret to be much more logical for a guitarist (at least to me). But I know other guys who still love the marker at the 9th fret. Go with what's comfortable for you.

Jazzaferri · January 2010

IMO the key markers are the 5 7 and 12 plus 17 and 19

Some instrument families use 9th fret marker some 10. Too many fret markers just confuse my ole brain

wayne nakamura · January 2010

I've recently made the transition from 9th fret to 10th fret markers.

I find it's an easier transition if you think of the 10th fret marker as "D" or "G" instead of the 10th fret.

ie: instead of going to the 10th fret go to a D7 or a g7 or a Gm7b5. This makes the marked fret a "destination".

It made the transition much easier.

cheers

Ps I now have a slight adjustment going back to my 9th fret gypsy guitars. I think a lot of this is mental because I never have to make an adjustment with a telecaster. I guess I don't approach it in the same way.

crookedpinky · January 2010

Like most people I have trouble with 9th and 10th markings and switching between the two - also further confused by having 12 and 14 frets to the body as well. This was never an issue on other guitars/styles as I just got to know where I was by "feel". I think the problem with this style is that we're learning new shapes and placements all the time.

Recenlty I have been thinking that as it's not the markers on the face of the fingerboard that confuse me but he side dots maybe I need two markers - one at the 9th and the 10th - then there.s no confusion. Either that or convert all the 9th fret markers to the 10th.......

Mind you that's the least of gypsy playing problems....

kimmo · January 2010

Jazzaferri wrote:

IMO the key markers are the 5 7 and 12 plus 17 and 19

I'd add 15, but otherwise I agree totally.

I don't really look at the markers on the fretboard in the acoustic guitars anyway (requires too much reaching for my old neck), but the markers on the side. So I went for the 10th fret mark in the fretboard ('cause it's traditional for SelMacs) and 5,7,12 at the side.

Since the sidemarkers are just small dots visible only to the player, they can easily be added/removed/moved to the likings of the player.

pinkgary · January 2010

I used to get confused with the side markers, like everybody else when they start, but for me it was due to the spacing. e.g. a 3 fret gap between dots should mean the higher was at the 12th fret. But no it's at the 10th!! So i was going to the 10th thinking it was 12th for ages, until i added a second dot on the 12th fret with the stuff you use to separate glass paints. Now, 'cos i see two dots at the 12th, i don't get confused anymore.

klaatu · January 2010

It is definitely an adjustment, especially if you have to switch back and forth between guitars with different markers. I forced myself to make the switch when I got my Dupont and Michael Horowitz advised me strongly against moving the marker. Now it feels very natural and seems quite logical (marking a D instead of a C# on the 1 & 6 strings). Since I play my gypsy guitars far more than the others, it's not so much of a problem any more.

Stringswinger · January 2010

The best advice is learn to be able to play without looking at the fretboard! That said, if I was having a Gypsy guitar made for me, I would opt for a ninth fret marker as this is where (for better or worse) it is on almost all guitars that have fret markers. As most of us move back and forth on different types of guitars, the ninth fret is the standard. I wouldn't move a fret marker (as the original owner of my Dupont did), but I wouldn't put a tenth fret marker on a custom guitar unless I wanted to see those whom I let try the guitar screw up!

Cheers,

Marc
www.hotclubpacific.com

Jazzaferri · January 2010

Although it got stolen by some SOB in 92 my Marcelino Barbero classic guitar had nary a marking on it.

FWIW Dunn put a marker on the 9th fret. I had to go and look to see which one tho :shock: I don't use it.