Ok there. Up to proof. I've googled it day in and out now, and can't find any Les Paul or Strat that has been converted to a bass just by changing strings (and the appropriate nut swap, and bridge swap). Show me to them!
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Fanned Fret Basses...why so few?
- Thread starter Bassheart365
- Start date
Ok there. Up to proof. I've googled it day in and out now, and can't find any Les Paul or Strat that has been converted to a bass just by changing strings (and the appropriate nut swap, and bridge swap). Show me to them!
Strat. Bass | TalkBass.com
Stratocaster Bass ( and Jazzmaster, and other forbidden birds ) | TalkBass.com
Sub-Short Scale Talk | TalkBass.com
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There are more, this idea comes up frequently and a fair number of people claim to do it and like it. That last one is a commercial product BTW, although now out of production. You will have to read those threads carefully as they discuss things like Strat bodies with 30 inch and more necks as well as sub-30 inch bass conversions. My 30 inch Squier VI is tuned to the 31 Hz C, a 27 inch baritone tuned to E would be about the same and a 25 inch standard guitar should be doable, especially if you tune it up a step or two. But there are people who tune 25s to 41 Hz. In fact I have read reports of guitarists tuning down to a D on 25s. Right before the ever so reasonably priced Squier VI came out I had every intention of getting a baritone and tuning it to G. When I did get the Squier I ordered enough strings to tune that high if need be but once I tried it tuned to C I decided it was a winner at that tuning.
Anyway, it does not seem like anyone left here is able to discuss this topic dispassionately and it is not my goal to stir up trouble so I am out of here. I actually did some long deferred work to my Squier VI last night, finishing too late to try it much, and now have had an appointment this evening cancel out so I think I will spend my suddenly free evening noodling on the Squier rather than posting on TB. Maybe you can't see this and maybe you won't believe it but I love you guys and your basses whether I want one or not. Take care and we will talk again in another thread on another subject.
Back to topic. One thing with fanned fret basses too, that I don't like particularly, is seen on this Rondo (BRICE) 5 string bass with fanned frets:
The gripe that has DAWNED on me slowly as I play my Dingwall, is the slanted pickups which can clearly be seen in this picture. Most pickups have a complete cover, which means you can't see the pole pieces or - as in this case - the rails. Formerly I have made a staunch opinion about that the pickups should be aligned towards the slant of the frets in order to pick up harmonics up there at the right nodes along the string. But I've lately revised and changed my opinion on this. Especially when it comes to humbuckers this isn't as needed because the aperture is wide enough to pick up any harmonic node. The thing I've discovered is that the outer strings sounds weaker. Because as you can see on this pic, the acutal rails inside the humbucker pickup seems to go inside/outside the string leaving just ONE of the rails picking up tone, inside the humbucker shell. Which gives them an almost single coil pickuped sound. If you look at the new Ibanez, it almost seems like they've put a 6 string bass pickup on there just to make sure the magnetic field is consistent. Also with straigh/pararell pickup shells it's more easily swapped out to other 3rd party pickups.
If you should use pickups like this, use Dingwalls own (they use rails on all but the combustions) and the need for a pickup to look a bit like this instead.
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What i did one my Brice was to replace the pickups with 45DC pickups, which are wide enough so every string gets equal coverage for every pickup
Modding my Fanned Fret Defiant | TalkBass.com
I'm a guitarist, and my go-to guitar is a Novax semi-hollowbody. I love bass, and just scored a new Novax bass (see pic), 33-35" fan.
It takes about 5-10 min to get used to playing fanned fret; it's more a "psychological" reason to not play/try one than a physical reason. I've had people say, "I don't even want to try that!" whereas others will play the instrument and then say, "Oh, it has weird frets?!?"
It takes about 5-10 min to get used to playing fanned fret; it's more a "psychological" reason to not play/try one than a physical reason. I've had people say, "I don't even want to try that!" whereas others will play the instrument and then say, "Oh, it has weird frets?!?"
Been playin Dingwalls for 3 years or so. took me about 30 seconds to feel comfortable and a few days to feel natural. I think the learning curve is rather short for most folks. The fan fret has its place and as I have heard, does not work well for some cording and such but for me, the fan frets and the quality of Dingwall are top shelf.
I had a Dingwall for a few months and just couldn't get used to the fanned frets. As a Canadian I wanted to support Sheldon and love his amazingly well made and great looking basses, but they just aren't for me.
To each their own for sure.
Great guy to talk to, great customer service and his basses are impeccably made. I just prefer my regular 24" basses.
See if he'll custom make you a bass that is not multiscale.
Most bassists aren't TBers; most players aren't even aware of the many issues we obsess about. I didn't even know what neck dive was til I came here
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Good luck with that.See if he'll custom make you a bass that is not multiscale.
