The true value of the Hankey Upright Fretboard!

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

First:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/004621.html

I took a few pictures of my recent iteration to show what it's really good for:

Now for my purposes, it doesn't really matter that the regular fretboard is blocked off, what does matter is that the lines above the tip of the bar are immediately below the reading material.

I know the immediate squawk subjects, so -

1) Yes, of course I DO use my ear for fine adjustments;

2) No, actually, because of saccadic eye movement you actually can see that fast - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccade - you don't go back and forth from music to fretboard, you scan everything at once, as a matter of fact you already DO it that way, same as driving -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_movement_in_music_reading

3) No, Buddy & Paul & Doug didn't need one, but maybe you do, and I'd be quite surprised to hear that Buddy & Paul & Doug had tried a system like this and then rejected it.... if this doesn't help your playing while reading, then you don't really need a fretboard at all, huh?

Actually the only people qualified to post on this are those who have spent an hour with their scissors and posterboard, then a few hours trying it out, so I guess this'll be a lonely post. Crying or Very sad

For my own purposes, I found that in order to compensate for parallax, it was worthwhile to slightly elongate the scale - after a few experiments, I found that a 24.5" scale drawing matched up best with a 24" scale. Well, Bill, at least we know we're cool.... Cool

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Is the main purpose of this to help with the upper register frets that are hidden under the bar?

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

No it won't be a lonely post here in this neighborhood. I know of 4 or 5 guys who tried this out. I made one out of lucite plastic with etched frets and it worked fine here in the studio. But I had a problem with it in the clubs because of it's extra bulk. I also had some parallax problems with it that resulted in my adding small led's at the bottom of some of the 'important' frets that would let me see better in the dark club atmosphere. I eventually did away with it because of the extra bulk as I said before. It, however, definitely made my jobe easier at times.

phred
_________________
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American GI!!

Think about it!!

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

We always seem to "pick" on Bill for some of his posts. This appears to be something that could really help the steel guitar players. In order to learn proper bar positioning.
Tommy

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=157392&start=50

On the stainless steel lap steel we're building, I'm thinking of adding an upright fretboard, and also cutting slots for the frets, and decorative holes for the position dots, gluing a strip of blue cellulite behind the frets, and putting a lightbulb inside the instrument. Then the frets will glow a low blue in the dark, which will be easy on the eyes.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Alan, this one has two lightbulbs underneath the fretboard!

I'd say, use clear plastic, and rig up some sorta color wheel! I can remember, as a kid, being mesmerized by the changing color of my family's artificial white Christmas tree, that was spot lit by a color wheel!

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I also found that for me at least, with the specific purpose being to aid in bar placement while reading music, that a light fretboard with dark lines works a lot better than a dark fretboard with white lines - a less noticeable transition, I guess. I think white fretboards look kinda funky, but this is a specific tool that helps me to do a specific thing. It's no substitute for practice and listening, but every little bit helps. I just ordered a maple fretboard from LMII slotted to 26 frets with a 24.5" scale, and when I cut it down, fill the slots with black Milliput and finish it, it should be pretty classy too.

http://www.lmii.com/carttwo/Secondproducthead.asp?CategoryName=Fingerboards

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

David,

I'm really thrilled that you are working with the concept to manage visibility to its fullest extent in relation to frets and bar placements. I've written about the added pleasures of not laboring to guess where the bar should be placed in certain areas where the vision is restricted.

The fretboard would include a brow, as part of the unit that projects minimally at the outer edge of the first string. The denotations would be assigned to a craftsman in woodworking. No longer would the aged fretboard be viewed as the hypnotizing lines of highway travel. The player experiences a feeling of freedom, never realized before. A craftsman who truly appreciates the finished product, could exemplify his/her skills by producing an outstanding raised carving at the designated area.

Allowing oneself to raise the chin approximately two inches, should in itself be more than reason enough to consider trying out the concept. Once the ultimate in design is reached, it would be interesting to see how players respond to trial runs, if the steel is on display.

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Bill,from a Police perspective,your board reduces the possibility of unsavory characters looking on from afar steeling the users hard earned licks.

Good work Bill
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Warning: For indoor use only. Do not attempt to use in high winds.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Kevin,

The proposed fretboard is as "solid" as the "Rock" in "The Straights". I invite you to explain what you are thinking. A 100% diversionary attempt on your part, no doubt. I have serious doubts that you would accept my invitation to discuss your obvious joking around.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Bill, the prognostication of present indications leads to an examination of the current conditions. Some sensitivity is in order.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Kevin,

Cagey roustabouts, and bearers of witticisms unrelated to, or indirectly point to the business of nonamiable discussions, forewarn of monkey business. The rewards of 10 years of testing, is more than ample proof, that I'll not be easily swayed by "experts" or clever lay persons who get their kicks by busting out with corny jokes. Of course, I enjoy laughter, depending on how the amusement is created.

P.S. Duane Marrs, Smiley Roberts, and pac-a-seat have something in common. Are you aware of the fact?

Chris Lang · Posted 6 Aug 2009 2:58 pm

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Allen,

Good luck with your plans to try an upright fretboard.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Bil Hankey, the calculation of wind drift can only be determined by air speed and direction. In the end, prognostications are of the utmost importance in determining outcome and results. I fish, therefore I am.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Kevin,

I took the liberty to do a little fishing of my own until I discovered that your family name is associated with steel guitar cases. That is, assisting others in locating a specified case. Don't expect me to attempt to verbally "bash" a fisherman who is fishing around in such enterprising waters. I was surprised to learn that you may have been a party to "save the chickens" in Buffalo, N.Y. You may have voted in July in favor of "The chicken coop law." The law reads that the city will allow people to raise up to five chickens on their own property in the city. I'd say that such an occupation would be in direct conflict with producing steel guitar cases; don't you think? I am surmising that a crowing rooster may awaken such great pickers as Tom Bath and others in the city. If roosters are included, I'd vote "no" before the city is forced to make important changes in the law. b0b, I won't mention it again.

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