fretboard

noun

fret·​board ˈfret-ˌbȯrd How to pronounce fretboard (audio)
plural fretboards
: the part of a stringed instrument against which the fingers press the strings to vary the pitch : fingerboard
especially : one that has frets (see fret entry 5)
Her three-ply maple neck, black laminated spruce and maple body, pearl inlaid ebony fretboard, and gold-plated … pickups flash in the spotlights. Mike Sager

Examples of fretboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 22-fret neck is 25.5 inches in length with an 8.5 inch fretboard radius for optimal comfort. Ron Hart, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2023 Until his passing in 2012 at age 88, Scruggs continued his lifelong melodic quest to seek out new players and fresh ways of wandering the fretboard of his trusty five-string instrument. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2023 And Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson is at her best doing folky fretboard lighting. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2020 Expect face-melting fretboard wizardry. Brad Sanders, Chron, 21 Mar. 2023 The act of cradling a guitar in his arms, settling his fingers on the fretboard, and touching a pick to a string had been drilled into his brain. Steve Rosen, Variety, 10 Mar. 2023 From the Yardbirds to the Jeff Beck Group to fame as a solo artist, his dazzling fretboard technique, mastery of atmospheric effects, and volcanic, expressive musical phrasing were unmatched. Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 12 Jan. 2023 Because of their superior upper-fretboard access, Flying Vs were great for playing slide guitar on. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 11 Oct. 2022 Fine attention to detail is all-around here, including a Sitka spruce top, solid maple back and sides, and a mahogany neck capped with an Indian rosewood fretboard. Joshua Kanter, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fretboard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fretboard was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near fretboard

Cite this Entry

“Fretboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fretboard. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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