Fanned fret bass necks.

[sebastian]

I am going build a parts project and I would like to utilize a fanned fret neck. Is there a supplier?

Thanks

[Jazz Ad]

http://www.novaxguitars.com/

[sebastian]

I asked them if they will do five string?
Novax the only supplier?

[erikbojerik]

Probably. You might check with Doug at Soulmate Guitars.

Otherwise, you'll have to find a luthier.

[sebastian]

I have viewed the novax site and $550.00 for a neck. I am hoping I can locate a luthier in the mid-west that can make one for a bit less.
I am curious as to why the neck is worth so much?

[Phil Mailloux]

If you look at the Warmoth site you'll see most necks run from about $300-400. Making fanned frets is alot more complicated than straight ones, hence the price.

[gweimer]

Originally Posted by sebastian

I have viewed the novax site and $550.00 for a neck. I am hoping I can locate a luthier in the mid-west that can make one for a bit less.
I am curious as to why the neck is worth so much?

It's probably partially due to the fact that it was designed to drop onto a Fender body with little modification. The Novax site even shows how to set the bridge. It's a nice neck, though. I'm having some fun with my Bettie Page bass. I got the Ebony fretboard for an extra $30.
And my project bass came in cheaper than a new Dingwall by quite a bit.

[sebastian]

Is there rhyme or reason to the calculation of angling the frets?

[grace & groove]

Of course.

[erikbojerik]

Originally Posted by sebastian

Is there rhyme or reason to the calculation of angling the frets?

Yeah...if you want it to intontate. Otherwise you end up with a BSO (bass-shaped object).

[BobKos]

It all has to do with scale length. The idea behind the fanned fret system is to have say a 34" scale E while having say a 32" G. Obviously the fret spacing is different between a 34" and a 32". The frets are set up to accomodate the differing scale lengths for a particular instrument. The larger the difference of scale lengths, the more radical the fret wire 'fan'.

[Synplicity]

for such an expensive neck, the headstock is very ugly

[UncleBalsamic]

Yeah I never liked the head stocks but you can retrofit them onto a Fender can't you? That is quite cool in my opinion.

[sebastian]

So lets say a five string with a 35" scale on the B how would you calculate the length of the scale for the G string?
And a yes that is a pretty homely headstock.

[gweimer]

You might actually be at 35" on the E.

[sebastian]

Why is that? Would not the B be at 35"?

[Jonsbasses]

Fanned fret = multi scale. Pick your two scales.

Let's say 35" for the B, 33" for the G. Mark the scale for the B-string, then mark the scale for the G-string and connect the dots. That is completely simplifying it, but how it works.

[grace & groove]

Originally Posted by sebastian

Why is that? Would not the B be at 35"?

You can choose what you want but usually people use 37" for the B and 32" for the G for the most equal tension.

[Dirk Diggler]

I prefer 36 to 32 on my 6 strings. Actually the bridge position is one of the hardest to get right.
I kind like that look on that P bass too.
Dirk

[SDB Guitars]

I believe that Dingwall uses 37" on the B and 34" on the G for their standard 5 strings... it's something different on the Super-J...