How often do you play at the dusty end?

Marshall_stax

thomasross20 said:

Marshall_stax said:

I get up there now and again I guess. Never really have any accessibility issues as most of my collection are Ibbys and a PRS. It's a good point though, I've never stopped to think how I'd get on with LP. 

What's the general preference here between 22 & 24 frets?

I actually love the "scale" (?) of a 22 fret guitar like my Pro S4 - neck not too long, all very comfortable. But prefer how the heel on 24 fret guitars is that much lower down, aiding the ergonomics

That's a good point, so do you think the choice between 22 & 24 is as much about ergonomics and comfort as it is about having the two extra frets to mess around on?

Interestingly, I've just realised that the Ibby I play the most is my JS1200, the only Ibby I own with 22 frets. 

Neil

Never past 17th in reality -  and on my Jag that buzzes. My pork sausage fingers are not made for those tiny fret areas.

TBH most of the music I like is played lower down anyway.

Just as well really.

thomasross20

Yep, I sometimes play frets 23 & 24 but the main reason for me is the heel and body joint - all about the ergonomics for 24 fret guitars. 

breakstuff

I'm playing more acoustic lately so vary rarely.

hobbio

I don't often go past the 17th, although it does happen occasionally. I don't find access a problem on my 339, and I have short fat hands. I'm no shredder though and I suppose if I was up there more often or trying more gymnastics (which I can't do anyway!) I'd want a bit more space. My Schecter has no access problems at all.

Sassafras

Neil said:

Never past 17th in reality -  and on my Jag that buzzes. My pork sausage fingers are not made for those tiny fret areas.

TBH most of the music I like is played lower down anyway.

Just as well really.

Sounds like you could benefit from a MD Phillips conversion.

Sassafras

Not very often especially these days now that I'm playing mostly acoustic.

Never really liked the high squeaky notes.

guitarfishbay

20th fret on the 'b' string, played a few times over 2 bars, once in the whole album. Other than that rarely above the 12th.

OilCityPickups

Depends on the guitar ... on my flying V or 24 fret SG quite a lot. On my Ibanez single cut arch tops .... er never!

Maynehead

All the time, all the way up to the 22nd, which is why I'm forced to discount all traditional Les Paul's and strats with 21 frets. I prefer neck throughs, or at least a sculpted heel.

Not because I'm a super shredder or anything, just that the songs I like mostly have some high widdly bits in the solos. Besides, I like guitars that are designed well enough to let you play all frets with ease. What's the point of having all those frets and then making some of them a struggle to play?

thomasross20

Agree, @Maynhead!!

Nomad

All the way up until I run out of frets. I've sometimes run a fingernail up the top E in the hope of getting more, but it doesn't really work. Quite happy to play across the neck up there as well, especially on electric. The access on the Lemon Drop (22 frets) is pretty good, and the Red Special (24) is excellent. Also get up high on the thinner strings on acoustic (got a cutaway a while back which has helped a lot), and on a conventional classical.

underdog

Just because you can doesn't mean you should

ToneControl

jpfamps said:

No money up the dusty end.

A very rare venture for me.

I know, but there are quite a few top 10 players who throw little bit up there during a solo, and it does add a little something

When playing my own stuff, I don't get up there - but playing a "famous" piece, I often find the original version goes up there - but not for long - perhaps that's the key (other than EVH, he never comes down from there does he?)

axisus

I like 22 fret guitars. I don't like 21 or 24. Needless to say I find myself up the dusty end. I'm quite happy to meander all over the fretboard with my insipid brand of improv.

mike_l

viz said:

Isn't the dusty end the bit by the nut?

Yes, I ventured there once, luckily I got back to the proper end quickly.

 

\m/

mike_l

underdog said:

Just because you can doesn't mean you should

Wrong, just because you can, you definitely should.

:-B

impmann

There was a song with my old band where I'd capo at the 12th and then tremolo pick arpeggiated chords - pseudo mandolin style.

I also use ebows a lot in my own music and find some interesting harmonic content up there.

So yes, I do play up that end a fair bit...

vasselmeyer

Rarely beyond the 17th. In our set, our singer loves to do "Don't Stop Believing" and there's a particular venue where I won't take my PRS. Getting that three-fret bend up to the high E from my Tele's 21st fret is a bit of a lottery.

Roland

How dusty? A lot of solos wander into the 12th to 17th frets region, and some rhythm chords too. 18th onwards is twice per night, on specific solos. I don't go there voluntarily because the tone in the high reaches is not edgy enough for my liking.