Victor Baker 8 string fanned fretless “Tele”

**NSJ** · 02-23-2023, 09:15 PM

Arrived. Victor Baker 8 string fanned fretless “T Style” guitar. This definitely feels like an Indian instrument. It will punish you with Wolf Sounds if your intonation is bad. Definitely requires a special technique, like a little bit of extra nails in the left hand, or a special kind of rotation and angle, like a sarode or a lap steel guitar.

The guide markers are like “visual training wheels”. Required, especially for the differential fanned bass and treble side. As VB said, it will need some tweaking. Rightly so, he’s never played a guitar like this.

The action is correctly higher than a fretted guitar. Has to be, otherwise it will buzz. I think I have to tweak the pickup pieces. The G string needs to be louder. Small things.

It’s going to be difficult to learn to play this, but I’m excited. If I fail, I could always get frets put on it.

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-24-2023, 03:13 AM

Wow. Well, life is one big adventure. Happy exploring!

**GuyBoden** · 02-24-2023, 08:59 AM

Very nice indeed.

What tuning are you using?

**NSJ** · 02-24-2023, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

Very nice indeed.

What tuning are you using?

Regular 6, Low A, High A. Barre chords are at this point out. 2 or 3 note voicings and single note lines are the way to go.

**GuyBoden** · 02-24-2023, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by NSJ

Regular 6, Low A, High A. Barre chords are at this point out. 2 or 3 note voicings and single note lines are the way to go.

"Regular 6, Low A, High A."

Wow, is that this:
A-E-A-D-G-B-E-A

Or, am I confused.

**GuyBoden** · 02-24-2023, 09:21 AM

Are you using a Octave4plus for the high A string or a standard string?

I have a box of Octave4plus A strings at home.

**David B** · 02-24-2023, 10:47 AM

A remarkable instrument! Always good to see musicians and luthiers open to trying new things!

What's the scale length on each side?

Looking at the controls placement, is this to be played cello-style, like your other VB guitar?

**jim777** · 02-24-2023, 10:59 AM

Awesome! That's a very impressive step forward, very best of luck to you mastering her!

**NSJ** · 02-24-2023, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by David B

A remarkable instrument! Always good to see musicians and luthiers open to trying new things!

What's the scale length on each side?

Looking at the controls placement, is this to be played cello-style, like your other VB guitar?

Exactly. I can use the same end pin with both guitars. I don’t recall the exact scale length, at this point. But the differential helps with intonation.

In general, the bass strings sound more or less normal, like a bass guitar almost. The treble string sound like a sarode. If there’s any interest, I’ll put up a sound sample. It’s pretty clear that without Frets, it’s impossible to play barre chords. But 2 or 3 note chords are doable.