Fanned Frets?? What gives??

[IronLung1986]

an unlined fanned fretless is just insane. even lined would be tough but unlined? i'm tapping out at that point!

[Jean Baudin]

Originally Posted by 2cooltoolz

Did a YouTube search Jean. Pretty impressive!

Jean Baudin on 11 string

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

To be fair Jean, you are a freak. In the most possibly awesome sense of the word.

Seriously, anyone who hasn'nt needs to check out Jean's new album "Mechanisms". It's incredible.

Can't wait to hear some stuff on that Ken Lawrence fretless.

Thanks Guys! I'm both excited and a little frightened by the future fanned fretless!

[stepswork4me]

I tried one and did not care for it at all. I do lots of chordal, multi string tapping, and harmonic stuff, though.

[Avezzano]

I always thought that a very smart "business" move for a major brand (Fender, Ibanez etc.) would be the introduction of an "entry level" fanned fretboard; I mean: a 5 string with B at 35" scale and the G string at 34" or 33".

This would shake a bit the market and allow the inquiring minds to try this different flavour. Just offer on the market a Squier or even a Pawn Shop Fender J or P V strings fanned bass at reasonable price.........

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

I tried one and did not care for it at all. I do lots of chordal, multi string tapping, and harmonic stuff, though.

I don't have a problem doing any of that.

[stepswork4me]

Originally Posted by spade2you

I don't have a problem doing any of that.

It just felt completely counterintuitive to me.

[Macrocosmcwh]

I could see how ergonomicly beyond the 7th fret that chording would feel more natural. But below that I can see how twisting the wrist might lead to fatigue.

[Jazz Ad]

Quite the opposite, fanned frets let you play with the wrist straight in front of the arm everywhere over the neck.
Way less twisting than with parallel frets.

[Macrocosmcwh]

I need to find a fanned fret bass and play with it. Anyone have one here in Arizona...?? Local GC does not have one....

[micgtr71]

I think that 11 looks cool, especially the headstock. Sounds great when Jean Baudin plays it. I wonder what I could do with that many strings. It seems awfully intimidating to me. I would love to try one though.

[stepswork4me]

When I would chord this, for example, it was just very uncomfortable....
G-----------F#
D-----------B
A-----------F#
E-----------B
B-----------B

[Jazz Ad]

This is going to be uncomfortable on any bass.

[Lady Kayri]

The longer length on the B lets you have pretty much the same tension on that string as on the rest of the strings, eliminating the 'floppy B' syndrome you get on some 5ers. So you get more even tone and string response as well. I would be willing to use a lined fretless fanned system, and if I had enough money would probably add one to the two Dingwalls I already have, most likely as a second Afterburner II. As I have saud elsewhere, it took me longer to get used to the fifth strung than it did the fanned frets, and I get less wrist strain when playing the Dingwalls, too. There are also four string fanned basses as well, and again, if I had the $$ might buy a Super P or perhaps a Combustion...

[steve_rolfeca]

Aside from the tone (37" Dingwall B strings are universally awesome), there are ergonomic benefits as well.

If you hold your hand out in front of you and spread your fingers, you should notice that they fan out from your palm.

Of course, if your fingers are still perfectly parallel when spread, then conventional frets might be a better choice!

[stepswork4me]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

This is going to be uncomfortable on any bass.

I have no issues on non fanned frets. I also use tighter string spacing, though.