{"id":18752,"date":"2019-05-17T10:55:17","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T10:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roadietuner.com\/?post_type=blog&p=18752"},"modified":"2020-11-30T11:33:20","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T11:33:20","slug":"playing-the-fretless-guitar-feat-bumblefoot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadiemusic.com\/blog\/playing-the-fretless-guitar-feat-bumblefoot\/","title":{"rendered":"Playing the Fretless Guitar feat. Bumblefoot"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the history of the world, thousands of different Gods have been and are still worshipped today impacting millions all over the globe. Yngwie Malmsteen, Greg Howe, and Jason Becker are just to name a few to have been worshipped in our time. But there is one God that must be recognized today. His mighty name is Ron \u2018Bumblefoot\u2019 Thal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not only has Bumblefoot taken the guitar world by storm with his incredible guitar techniques using thimbles and insane hyper-picking, but his use of the fretless guitar is, dare said, unmatched by most. Today, we are playing the Fretless Guitar feat. Bumblefoot.<\/p>\n

Ron \u2018Bumblefoot\u2019 Thal<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Ron<\/p>\n

Ron \u2018Bumblefoot\u2019 Thal found his name while helping his wife study for her veterinary exams on the bacterial disease known as \u201cBumblefoot.\u201d Thus, the solo guitarist Bumblefoot was born.<\/p>\n

More recently, Bumblefoot is more well-known to have been one of the leading guitarists for a little band known as Guns-n-Roses. Previously, he has released over 10 albums since the early \u201990s featuring his insane original music and operatic voice.<\/p>\n

Many of the recordings include techniques, designed by Bumblefoot himself, that require the use of a thimble, yes, a thimble, and extraordinary rhythmic hyper-picking. All the while using these techniques on a fretless guitar, also designed through the mind of Bumblefoot and Vigier Guitars.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a><\/span> for Bumblefoot\u2019s Thimble Lesson.<\/p>\n

Further Reading – <\/strong>20 Types of Guitars and the Legends that Played Them<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Understanding the Fretless Guitar<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Ron

Ron \u2018Bumblefoot\u2019 Thal Wiki<\/p><\/div>\n

Even if someone has 10 years of experience playing the guitar, switching to a fretless guitar is no walk in the park. There are many factors to playing a fretless that one must take note before committing to this experience.<\/p>\n

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Tuning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Tuning your fretless guitar<\/strong> is still the same. Although, many professional fretless guitar players are known to go from the standard E Tuning – E A D G B E – to tuning their guitars to a D Tuning – D G C F A D – which is a whole step lower and allows for more control on single notes and sustain.<\/p>\n

Related Post –\u00a0<\/strong>The Complete Guide for Guitar Tuning<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Intonation and Muscle-Memory<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since there are no frets, you must be aware of two things that are absolutely crucial: Intonation and muscle memory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When it comes to training your intonation and muscle memory<\/strong>, play scales very slowly over a drone note. For example, listen to Cello Drone – A<\/a> on Youtube. Now practice your A scales, major, minor, pentatonic, what have you, over this A drone.<\/p>\n

With time and practice, it will most certainly aid in securing your intonation on a fretless instrument as well as helping build your muscle memory!<\/p>\n

Different Necks for Different Specs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Some fretless guitars are known to have metal fingerboards. For instance, if someone were to buy the Excalibur Surfreter Special<\/a> guitar from Vigier, they would notice that the fingerboard is metal.<\/p>\n

Most commonly in the guitar world, people tend to build their own fretless guitars from their own guitars by taking out the frets. This process is quite tedious and requires careful step-by-step instructions. Here\u2019s a solid guide on how to do so:<\/p>\n\n

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