Fender fanned fretboard. Bets accepted...

[Avezzano]

So, Fender has always been so slow, to adopt new concept in bass that were already applied by others (Ibanez, Yamaha or boutique manufacturers.) I mean: I am not talking about new but traditional models maybe different from P or J (there were lots of "meteors"). Been there, done that. I am talking instead about some technical innovation. Examples:

1) fretless. The first Fender fl was long awaited, when several brands had their ones out already. And, btw, it actually was... a Precision! When Jaco was already famous! Then, only after a lot of time finally they come out with a Jazz fretless.

2) 5 string basses. Following this "small shop" huge innovation, Ibanez was one of the first to sell a moderately priced one, with the RB885; then several other brands came. Fender was as usual a lot late to come out with a fiver.

3) 4+1 headstock. Same long delay to put in production the first headstock 4+1

Sure I am leaving out some other thing (anybody?) Now: when will Fender come out with a fanned fretboard model? Bets accepted.... be fair

 

[defdog99]

Welp if you look at Charvel and Jackson, you can see what's on the horizon...

Fender will use Roasted necks, Ebony, and truss rod wheels on everything.

Same factories. Consolidation.

 

[Lammchop93]

Welp if you look at Charvel and Jackson, you can see what's on the horizon...

Fender will use Roasted necks, Ebony, and truss rod wheels on everything.

Same factories. Consolidation.

They had truss rod wheels on the Elite series, but then removed them on the Ultra. I always felt the move from Elite to Ultra was a downgrade.

 

[Avezzano]

Understand the concrete possibility. But... will they dare to push that far as fanned fretted board on a Fender?

 

[SteveC]

I don't know that I'd hold my breath for a fanned fret fender. It is a nice alliteration though.

 

[mongo2]

As soon as they produce a very lightweight, perfectly balanced hollowbody shortscale Mustang bass...in black with a matching headstock, ebony fingerboard and fanned frets...I'll buy it.

 

[defdog99]

Oh yeah, and I wouldnt be surprised if they use Squier for the guinea pig after Charvel and Jackson.

Squier had quite a few roasted maple neck models last year and the contemporary tele looks pretty darn close to the Charvel So-Cal HH style 1 or 2 already.

So get ready for your fanned fret avril lavigne signature so-cal telecaster bass, black ebony board, and truss wheel. lol.

 

[MonetBass]

Jaco was already famous in 1969? Not quite.

 

[Obese Chess]

Five years, minimum, if ever. No sooner.

 

[HaphAsSard]

1) fretless. The first Fender fl was long awaited, when several brands had their ones out already. And, btw, it actually was... a Precision! When Jaco was already famous! Then, only after a lot of time finally they come out with a Jazz fretless.

2) 5 string basses. Following this "small shop" huge innovation, Ibanez was one of the first to sell a moderately priced one, with the RB885; then several other brands came. Fender was as usual a lot late to come out with a fiver.

Fender's first fretless bass guitar, indeed a Precision, was introduced in 1969, before Jaco became famous. Also, they outright invented the 5-string bass guitar, in 1965. As far as I'm aware, neither sold in significant numbers. Years later, they did take time in catching up after both types had become a more common sight.

 

[J Posega]

I could see them doing a Custom Shop build for a high profile artist, but not a production model.

I don't think they can compete with Ibanez on the low to midrange end or Dingwall on the midrange to high end of the market.

 

[Deano Destructo]

Personally I think we'll see a production model 6-string from Fender (though unlikely as well and the 30" scale Fender VI doesn't count) before we'll see a fanned fret model.

 

[moreblues]

My bet is never...This is Fender you are talking about...not companies who started after them or copy cats...
As far as technical innovation is concerned... Why fix what ain't broken...

 

[Avezzano]

Fender's first fretless bass guitar, indeed a Precision, was introduced in 1969, before Jaco became famous. Also, they outright invented the 5-string bass guitar, in 1965. As far as I'm aware, neither sold in significant numbers. Years later, they did take time in catching up after both types had become a more common sight.

So, as I said: the first Fender fretless was the Precision. When Jaco exploded, they took years, before coming out with a Jazz fl. And there were a lot of models from other brands for sale already. About the five, the Fender attempt had nothing in common with the five as we commonly understand it now (low B and 34 or 35 inches scale): it only had 15 frets and a standard amount of notes as a normal 4 strings. Threfore the flop. The first standard five strings from Fender arrived on the maket way after almost everybody had their standard 5 for sale.

 

[Avezzano]

Personally I think we'll see a production model 6-string from Fender (though unlikely as well and the 30" scale Fender VI doesn't count) before we'll see a fanned fret model.

Actually they had a 6, even if not branded Fender: Heartfied. (Steve Bailey).

 

[Avezzano]

I could see them doing a Custom Shop build for a high profile artist, but not a production model.

I don't think they can compete with Ibanez on the low to midrange end or Dingwall on the midrange to high end of the market.

I see your point, but we're talking about a company that has the potential to do whatever they want. From 200 to 10.000 usd/euro...

 

[Killing Floor]

I’d rather they invest in the tooling to provide bone nuts and cavity shielding.

 

[nickpc]

Never.

Fender is selling every bass and guitar they can make right now. Why take ANY of that production capability away from what is selling? Judging by their actions, they are not in business to innovate but to sell as many guitars (and some basses) as they possibly can at the best margin/volume number they can do it at. There's just no financial incentive for them to do it.

 

[N4860]

Actually they had a 6, even if not branded Fender: Heartfied. (Steve Bailey).

Also, the signature Tye Zamora model was a 6 string.

 

[iiipopes]

When demand rises, then when Fender figures out how to build a gang saw to saw the fret board for the frets, as Leo did at the very beginning of the company, and when it doesn't cost too much of a percentage of the minimal R&D budget of the company, then that is when they will offer fanned frets, because I can not envision they would do something appropriate, like program a CNC machine.
How accurate should fret slots be?