Zero fret

An extra fret placed close to the nut, so the strings rest on it rather than on the nut itself, which then only sets the spacing.

Because the string leaves a fret rather than a nut slot, open strings sound exactly like fretted ones, which is said to even out the tone and give a more consistent action and intonation in the first position. It also reduces the need for precise slot depth, since only the spacing matters. Some players dislike the slight metallic edge it can add to open chords, and the fret itself wears like any other.

Example: an instrument with a zero fret has open chords ringing with the same character as fretted ones, which is the point of the design.

Zero fret

See also