Zero Fret?

[Tom Karol]

What's the rationale behind having a zero fret? And why is it supposedly better or worse than not having one? Just wondering!

[stevedenver]

i zero fret allowed a maker to completely fret a fingerboard to its perfect scale length -in such construction the nut was only used as a guide for the strings and the break was over the fret -and
the fret was metal -and had some effect on sustain on open chords

it made more sense on guitars without a truss rod-the entire string adkustment would come via bridge height, and there would be no excess height as there would be with a nut

it is this latter aspect -the break- that i believe it was not widely adopted

in theory a zero fret is simply 'another bridge' without regard to fine intonation adjustment-

i beleive, it was first used in german guitar building

[AlohaJoe]

A zero fret has become a traditional design element for Manouche guitars. I don't know if it predates the Macaferri/Selmer years in Europe or not, but I think it helps produce that strong fundamental tone we hear in Gypsy jazz and gives you nuts of steel.

[Rick Kay]

I've noticed that a guitar with a zero fret produces a "closed note" sound on all the open strings. In some contexts, I prefer this sound, especially on an electric guitar.

[AlohaJoe]

Originally Posted by Rick Kay

I've noticed that a guitar with a zero fret produces a "closed note" sound on all the open strings. In some contexts, I prefer this sound, especially on an electric guitar.

Yes, that tonal consistency is nice... it works well on acoustics too.