Fiddle Fretter Detachable Fretboard- electric violin

ATTACHABLE & DETACHABLE
VIOLA FRETBOARD

Made of Paper Thin Nylon, with 24 Flexed Metal Frets

The Fiddle Fretter takes about five minutes to install on your existing violin.

The following steps should be taken to install the Fiddle Fretter correctly:

STEP 1.  Loosen the strings on your violin, and spread them apart to make room for the FIDDLE FRETTER.

STEP 2.  Remove the protective backing from the FIDDLE FRETTER to expose the adhesive. (Can be removed and reapplied anytime.)

STEP 3.  Position the narrow end of the FIDDLE FRETTER against the NUT.  Align with the fingerboard.  Press down firmly all around until secure.

STEP 4. Align your strings. Tighten. Tune up and you are ready to play your FRETTED FIDDLE.

The FIDDLE FRETTER was developed to help students learn the early stages of violin playing. This is a critical time when many “give up” this difficult instrument due to frustration when trying to achieve the correct notes on the fingerboard. It also helps musicians who may already play instruments like the guitar or mandolin and have already developed an ear for music. For those players it is disheartening to be continually making flat & sharp notes when playing violin.

A fretted fiddle eliminates this problem and the player can gain confidence and proceed with the learning process.

The paper thin nylon FIDDLE FRETTER slips under the strings of your existing violin and sticks to the fingerboard. One just has to loosen the strings and part them to install the FIDDLE FRETTER. It takes a couple of minutes and nothing on the violin has to be changed. With the FIDDLE FRETTER installed, just tune up and play. You have a fiddle with 24 flexed metal frets that are calculated and positioned to give you exact fingering as on any fretted instrument.

The FIDDLE FRETTER is self adhesive and can easily be removed anytime and put back on anytime.

 
“Fretted Fiddles” are not new. In fact they have been around for centuries and recently have become popular in modern electric-fretted violins. These violins are very expensive and the frets are permanently fixed on the fingerboard. The FIDDLE FRETTER can be attached and detached at any time, giving the player a choice to be fretted or not (for a very reasonable price).

Frequently Asked Questions (These come from the inventor, Peter Stoney.)

1. Do you place your fingers on the frets or behind the frets?

Try to place your fingertips just behind the frets. Preferably so you can FEEL the fret. This would be the exact position you should be in when not using the Fretter. Some teachers use tape to indicate where to place fingers, but then the player has to LOOK all the time which isn't much help.
One student described the Fretter as the "BRAILLE" method.

2.  How thick are the frets?

Quite tiny! About the thickness of 12lb fishing line. (Check the hardware store)

3.  I am left handed. Does that matter?

Not at all.

4.  Do I need to adjust the nut to fit the Fretter?

No. Unless your violin is defective or damaged in that area.

5. As the tuning on the mandolin is the same as on a violin, can I use mandolin tablature with the Fretter?

Sure can! Lots available.

6.  Will the Fretter help my bowing, which I find difficult?

Sorry. The frets just straighten out intonation. Maybe someone else can invent something for that

7.  Has anyone famous used your Fretter?

Not that I know of yet, but prominent violinist Mark Wood makes, sells and performs with a fretted fiddle called "The Viper". The frets are permanent and he makes them for 4,5,6 &7 string fiddles.  Quite pricey, but check it out.

8. On that point can I get a Fretter to fit a custom violin, i.e. 6 string, etc?

Yes, dimensions are needed. Width of fingerboard at Nut. Vibrating string length and width from 1st string to (in this case) 6th string at Bridge.

9.  If I order the Fretter how long will it take to get to me?

They are sent airmail from Nova Scotia, Canada. Mail service can be unpredictable, but they usually get anywhere in Canada in under 7 days. The United States is normally under 2 weeks, and all other countries allow up to 4 weeks (although one guy in Australia got his in 2 weeks). There are two Fretters in each order.

Note: There are two Fretters in each order- one is the original fretter and the other is a "stealth" fretter which is black with black frets.  With the stealth, you don't see the frets but you can still feel them.