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listen to zappa's fretless recordings
Frank acquired a fretless guitar branded Acoustic on the headstock in 1973, it was made by Bartell of California. Here are the recordings that Frank made with this unusual and distinctive instrument
The Torture Never Stops - Zoot Allures
In Frank's own words - "The thing that sounds like a slide guitar on ‘The Torture Never Stops’ is actually a fretless. It’s different from a regular guitar; you don’t push the strings to bend them, you move them back and forth like violin-type vibrato, which is a funny movement to get used to. But you can play barre chords on it - it’s fun.”
Can’t Afford No Shoes - One Size Fits All
In Frank's own words - “The thing that sounds like a slide guitar on ‘The Torture Never Stops’ is actually a fretless. It’s also on ‘San Ber’dino’ and ‘Can’t Afford No Shoes’ (both from One Size Fits All). "
San Ber’dino - One Size Fits All
In Frank's own words - “The thing that sounds like a slide guitar on ‘The Torture Never Stops’ is actually a fretless. It’s also on ‘San Ber’dino’ and ‘Can’t Afford No Shoes’ (both from One Size Fits All). "
Friendly Little Finger - The Guitar World According to Frank Zappa
The Guitar World According to Frank Zappa is a 1987 compilation album featuring guitar solos by Frank Zappa. It was issued as a cassette from Guitar World magazine.
Side 1 – ‘Friendly Little Finger’
Recorded in a dressing room at Hofstra University in 1975 and over-dubbed at the Record Plant, Los Angeles, California. Guitars featured: Gibson acoustic-electric; Custom fretless; Hofner bass.
Down In The Dew - The Guitar World According to Frank Zappa
The Guitar World According to Frank Zappa is a 1987 compilation album featuring guitar solos by Frank Zappa. It was issued as a cassette from Guitar World magazine.
Side 2 – ‘Down in de Dew’
Recorded at Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California in 1975. This selection was an out-take from the Apostrophe album. Guitars featured: Gibson acoustic-electric; Custom fretless; Hofner bass.