New member with Catfish Slim CBG

[Paul W. McGuire]

Hi, new member from North Georgia mountains.  My sister gave me a CBG made by Catfish Slim in Bixby, Oklahoma.  It looks great, I’ve been watching YouTube videos.  Looking forward to learning how to play it.  One thing that’s kind of freaking me out is that it is fretless.  I keep thinking that maybe I need to install frets on it.  Is that crazy thinking?

[Korrigan]

Hi Paul, welcome aboard. Yeah, fretless can be intimidating at first but don't fret. : )

You do have a slide, right?

[Blues Frog]

There are a lot of CBG videos on playing slide on fretless gits.I think if you're learning to play, it might be a bit easier as you'll start out just "barring" chords with the slide, no finger placement necessary.

Either way, have fun with it. It looks like a splendid one.

[Paul W. McGuire]

I haven’t opened up the box so this might be a stupid question.  Can I buy a fretted neck and change it out and use the box I have or would it just destroy the box to change the neck?

[Paul W. McGuire]

I agree, I’m going to build a new one with frets.  I’m excited!

[Korrigan]

And so it begins...

 : )

[Jim Saraceno]

Just get a slide and start playing it. You will find that a fretless lends itself to certain songs that won't sound as good on a fretted guitar and whether you have frets or not, they both basically play the same. If you decide you want one with frets, build one. You won't need to rush the job because you already have a guitar. Once you get bit by the bug you'll find you want to keep a fretted and a fretless (and a 4 string and a 3 string and a resonator, and an electric, and.....).

[Jerry Jordan]

Paul,

head to the toolbox and find a deep well socket that fits your ring finger.,,I think mine is 18mm .,.,and slide away.,.,just procure a fretted build when the mood strikes you.,.,thats a fine guit.,.,and a great hobby.,.,.,.welcome !!!