rapolas grazys crafts fretless electric guitar

rapolas grazys crafts fretless electric guitar
all images courtesy of rapolas grazys

influenced by the classical instruments of the cello, violin, and contrabass, rapolas grazys has engineered ‘lava,’ a guitar with a fretless neck. typically represented by metal strips, frets allow musicians to spatially distinguish semitones along the base of the fingerboard. thus, the lack of them allows for the production of a wider range sounds such as microtones. although this demands a skilled hand while playing, gives wider opportunities for compositions. for example, playing a vibrato with along a fretless neck makes unique and pulsating effect that resonates with ethnic music. the visual result is the removal of vertical sections that purify the form and reduce the amount of ornamentation throughout the design. the wooden body of maple includes a hidden wire input, dots indicating fret locations along the side of the fingerboard, and tone controls inserted along an accented edge. these features provide functional and ergonomic benefits for the musician with smooth contours and black details attached to an ebony fingerboard.

dimensions of the guitar body

back of the guitar with its output jack, tuning pegs, and connections

wire input from the back side of the guitar body, leaving front side clean

guitar wire and belt solution

plugging into the output jack which is hidden in the back

fret locations are still noted along the side of the neck

view from the side

volume and tone control are inserted on the edge

sitting position 

‘lava’ graphic

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