electric guitars 22 or 24 frets whats the difference
30 October 2002, 07:51 PM
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I've noticed that some electric guitars have 22 frets and some 24. I assume that they are tuned to the same notes so is it just that higher notes can be played on frets 23 and 24 of the 24 fret instrument. Are there any other differences?
Brendan
Brendan
30 October 2002, 08:23 PM
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Bearing in mind the only thing I can play is my car's CD... 
I think I heard that Gibson = 22, and Fender = 24, so Gibson less tightly strung and easier on the pinkies?
Richard.
I think I heard that Gibson = 22, and Fender = 24, so Gibson less tightly strung and easier on the pinkies?
Richard.
30 October 2002, 09:28 PM
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Yes the extra two frets allow you to play an extra two higher notes on each string. How easy the guitar is on the fingers and also the tone of the instrement is down to the thickness of the strings.(I know that there are many other factors that effect the tone, this is just one)
30 October 2002, 10:35 PM
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as Chaz said.. the only difference is the 2 higher notes you can hit.
The main things that affect how easy it is to play are
1) Action (the distance from the string to the fret, lower=easier)
2) Gauge (thinkness of string as mentioned by Chaz, thinner=easier)
3) Fret size (bigger frets are easier to hit)
4) Tuning (higher tuned=tighter strings=harder on the fingertips)
I've got both 24 and 22 fret guitars... I'd actually have to look to see which ones are which. Not frets i ever use.
Only guy i've seen live using the entire fretboard was the guitarist from the Alex Harvey Band. He used all 27 frets on his Washburn. B100dy good guitarist.
The main things that affect how easy it is to play are
1) Action (the distance from the string to the fret, lower=easier)
2) Gauge (thinkness of string as mentioned by Chaz, thinner=easier)
3) Fret size (bigger frets are easier to hit)
4) Tuning (higher tuned=tighter strings=harder on the fingertips)
I've got both 24 and 22 fret guitars... I'd actually have to look to see which ones are which. Not frets i ever use.
Only guy i've seen live using the entire fretboard was the guitarist from the Alex Harvey Band. He used all 27 frets on his Washburn. B100dy good guitarist.
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30 October 2002, 10:48 PM
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Sti,
Thats only for artificial haronics (where the node of the string is played with the edge of the thumb). To play an artificial harmonic on the 24th fret takes quite a bit of skill as the wave created on the string at that point is very short, that makes hitting the right node with the thumb very difficult. Also needs a decent guitar and amp to make it ring out right. Cheap pickups wont really pick up the string vibration very well at the point. Because the wavelength on the vibrating string is so short there isn't very much lateral movement for the pickup to sense.
The 24th fret natural harmonic is still there though. Even if there isn't a fret under it, a natural harmonic note will ring out clearly as the node on the string is created with the finger rather than the fret itself.
Thats only for artificial haronics (where the node of the string is played with the edge of the thumb). To play an artificial harmonic on the 24th fret takes quite a bit of skill as the wave created on the string at that point is very short, that makes hitting the right node with the thumb very difficult. Also needs a decent guitar and amp to make it ring out right. Cheap pickups wont really pick up the string vibration very well at the point. Because the wavelength on the vibrating string is so short there isn't very much lateral movement for the pickup to sense.
The 24th fret natural harmonic is still there though. Even if there isn't a fret under it, a natural harmonic note will ring out clearly as the node on the string is created with the finger rather than the fret itself.
30 October 2002, 10:58 PM
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The 24th fret natural harmonic is still there though. Even if there isn't a fret under it, a natural harmonic note will ring out clearly as the node on the string is created with the finger rather than the fret itself.
31 October 2002, 08:45 AM
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22 or 24 frets means different scale lengths. Different scale lengths mean a different length of neck (24 Frets longer of course) and this can mean a longer stretch to get to the bottom of the neck (far end). Classic guitars like the Fender Strat, Tele and Gibson Les Paul all come as standard in 22 Fret sizes but I think you can order special ones with 24.
Considerations to think about include:
Tone - changes with string size, neck length, Neck material, fret board. (Think Eric Clapton / Mark Knopfler for Fender and Slash / Gary Moore for Les Paul)
Playability: try before you buy!
String size: larger strings are harder to play but typically last longer and have a meatier tone. Thin strings sing and cut through better but break easier and can sound weaker (needing more gain to max their output compared to fat strings.
Budget: 24 fretters typically more expensive.
There's your rough guide to frets by a bass player!
Mak.
Considerations to think about include:
Tone - changes with string size, neck length, Neck material, fret board. (Think Eric Clapton / Mark Knopfler for Fender and Slash / Gary Moore for Les Paul)
Playability: try before you buy!
String size: larger strings are harder to play but typically last longer and have a meatier tone. Thin strings sing and cut through better but break easier and can sound weaker (needing more gain to max their output compared to fat strings.
Budget: 24 fretters typically more expensive.
There's your rough guide to frets by a bass player!
Mak.
31 October 2002, 09:24 AM
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31 October 2002, 12:21 PM
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The scale length and the number of frets aren't related! 
IIRC Gibson uses a 22 1/2 inch, and Fender a 23 1/4 inch scale lengh. Hence the strings on a gibson are slightly easier to bend. For the record most strat/ super strat type guitarts are the longer scale lengh.
IIRC Gibson uses a 22 1/2 inch, and Fender a 23 1/4 inch scale lengh. Hence the strings on a gibson are slightly easier to bend. For the record most strat/ super strat type guitarts are the longer scale lengh.
31 October 2002, 12:27 PM
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The 24th fret natural harmonic is still there though. Even if there isn't a fret under it, a natural harmonic note will ring out clearly as the node on the string is created with the finger rather than the fret itself.
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