Fanned Fret System anyone?

Bass of Galt · May 6, 2004

I've known about this for sometime on Charlie Hunter's 8 string guitar - but recently discovered Dingwall Basses

I'd love to know if anyone has tried playing on fanned fretted basses - please do tell.

Dirk Diggler · May 6, 2004

I have a friend that owns a Charlie Hunter, I was quite surprised how little time was needed to get used to the fanned frets. You would think playing for 20 something years on normal frets it would feel just wrong, but it doesn't.
I think the Dingwalls are a great idea on a bass, someday I will have one for sure. And to me the concept makes real sense in the scientific/ergo world.
Try one if you get a chance.
Dirk

JAUQO III-X · May 6, 2004

I play a Dingwall 6 ( it's an earlier Voodoo model that Sheldon dosen't make any more)and it plays like butter.getting use to the Fanned Fingerboard takes only a couple of seconds.and it has one of the best sounding and feeling B's.

pilotjones · May 6, 2004

Do searches on "Novax" and on "fanned fret" You'll find a lot. Several people here own them. you'll find Dingwalls, plus Acacias, and maybe Bee, Adler and a few others.

vwbtletdi · May 6, 2004

I have never played a fanned fret bass myself, however, if you do decide to get on be prepared to pay quite a bit for it, because the builder must pay royalties to the company that owns the copyright, (and they will also want to make money on top of that for labor, engeneering, special bridge costs, etc.)

ivanthetrble · May 6, 2004

Killer basses! Love mine to death. Best B string on the planet.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

pilotjones · May 6, 2004

vwbtletdi said:
I have never played a fanned fret bass myself, however, if you do decide to get on be prepared to pay quite a bit for it, because the builder must pay royalties to the company that owns the copyright, (and they will also want to make money on top of that for labor, engeneering, special bridge costs, etc.)

The planning and the fret slotting are harder, especially I would think if the builder hasn't done it before. A jig must be made to do the slotting (unless you have some awesome CNC capabilities).

Novak's fee to license the patent is only $75.

If you use individual bridges, there is no special bridge cost. Also, if you do only a slight fan, you can get away with a stock bridge, per the Novax Nex page.

Davehenning · May 6, 2004

I have played a few Dingwall basses at Sheldon's shop a few years back. The fanned frets were a little odd at first, but you adjust to them very quickly. Great sounding and playing instruments.

On a side note: I saw Lee Sklar on TV playing a Dingwall with Phil Collins the other night. It souned great. THe low-B was fat and clear.

xolin · May 6, 2004

Can someone explain to me how this is supposed to be an improvement (other than the tight B). It seems counter intuitive for me as the further down the fretboard i go, the more my hands curl in and this seems to accentuate any reaching problems. whateva, im sure its good

Davehenning · May 6, 2004

xolin said:
Can someone explain to me how this is supposed to be an improvement (other than the tight B). It seems counter intuitive for me as the further down the fretboard i go, the more my hands curl in and this seems to accentuate any reaching problems. whateva, im sure its good

Here is some info: Fanned Fret System

Wolfehollow · May 6, 2004

I loved it down low, but did not like it up high...

JAUQO III-X · May 6, 2004

The Guitar player in my Band plays a 9,11,and 13 string (all non doubled)with the Novax Fanned Fret System and he says it's an incredible improvement overall for him.The 6 lowest strings on the 13 string are Fretless.

Dave Grossman · May 6, 2004

I've had the pleasure of playing Jean Baudin's 9-string fanned-fret Conklin "pac-man" bass.

It's a great instrument. It sounds fantastic and wasn't that difficult to play (I'm used to 7-strings already though). I can see it being relatively easy to get used to the fanning of the frets. The improvement in the evenness of the tone due to the fanning is certainly worth the extra cost of the fanned-fretboard. I'm considering having a new bass built with fanned frets. I want to try out Jean's pac-man bass some more first though.

- Dave

Bass of Galt · May 6, 2004

I seriously doubt anyone can hold 1 finger per fret on the first string/ first position of THAT monster!

Play the piano already!!

garyhead · May 13, 2004

I play a 6-string Prima. Took about 20 minutes to adjust to the fanned frets......but, I already play 6-strings.....
Beautiful Low B! The Bag End ELF WAS MADE to be played with this bass

(Pic? Go to the bass nw site under bass gallery _ dingwall 6 string - Whale Pool Blue - Spalted Maple top......ooooohhhh)

jusplayinmybass · May 13, 2004

hey Jauqo

Didn't you have a fanned fretless 8 made? Did you ever play it? How well would the fanned fret, or multi scale, fretboard work on a fretless? I've been kicking around that idea for a while.

BTW, I played a Dingwall lately, not sure what kind. But it had a killer tone. Very clear. B string was lovely. All the strings were pretty balanced. I think the tone would make a lovely fretless. It'll really sing. I'll have to see if it was the fanned frets, or Dingwall's luthiery that made it so great. I'm betting it is a little of both.

Geoff St. Germaine · May 13, 2004

I play a 6 string Dingwall and I love it. I can't add too much to what others have said other than to say that it sounds excellent and is very comfortable to play. Add that Sheldon is 100% customer oriented and I can't stay away from these basses.

Geoff

FCM3 · May 13, 2004

I'll also add that in my experience w/ my Dingwall basses that playing up high while a little tricky as far as fret placement, its actually easier on the wrist and feels more ergonomical. Less wrist twist (say that 3 times fast).
And yes a Dingwall fretless sings and plays wonderfully.

Its been hard to beat Mr Dingwalls committment to his basses
frank

JAUQO III-X · May 13, 2004

jusplayinmybass said:
hey Jauqo

Didn't you have a fanned fretless 8 made? Did you ever play it? How well would the fanned fret, or multi scale, fretboard work on a fretless? I've been kicking around that idea for a while.

Yes It was a Conklin.it played great and the tone was very nice and growly.it was tuned Low F#-high F.it had only one Volume knob and one Pickup.By it being Fretless it would be the same as if it was a Non Fanned fingerboard,concentration would be the key.

munkyboy · May 14, 2004

jusplayinmybass said:
I think the tone would make a lovely fretless. It'll really sing. I'll have to see if it was the fanned frets, or Dingwall's luthiery that made it so great. I'm betting it is a little of both.

here are some soud files. some are fretless. Sounds like singing to me

Invalid Link Removed

Search

Fanned Fret System anyone?

More options

Bass of Galt

Dirk Diggler

JAUQO III-X

pilotjones

vwbtletdi

ivanthetrble

pilotjones

Davehenning

xolin

Davehenning

Wolfehollow

JAUQO III-X

Dave Grossman

Bass of Galt

garyhead

jusplayinmybass

Geoff St. Germaine

FCM3

JAUQO III-X

munkyboy

Latest posts