How bout this for a first fanned fret bass?

No experience – sorry. But if Edvard Munch was a bass player, I imagine that's exactly what his bass would look like.

 

Looks wrong in so many ways.
Headless has always been a big turn-off but the top looks like an x-acto knife, the bottom bout on the G-string side looks weird, the neck looks as wide as a 5-string neck, and what's with the carved out section beneath the bridge?

 

Brice headless multi-scaled 5 string - I had to order it!

there ya go.

 

Go to your local GC, and try out some FF basses ... like the Ibanez SR line.
Trying basses won't cost you anything, and will tell you if FF is for you.

 

I found going the fanned fret way very natural. Probably makes sense to go the inexpensive route first to see if it is your cup o' tea. If you find that you like them, then it's time to seriously save up for a Dingwall. I have a 5 string Combustion NG-2 that is an absolute pleasure to play (and keep in mind this is their budget model). I tried out a D-bird at The Bass Shop a couple weeks ago and it was one seriously powerful bass.

Hope the fanned fret thing works for you.

Bones

 

If Rondo gets them in stock again,I may have one one these by tax time.

 

Sometimes older Combustions come up for sale under $1,000. They are seriously quality instruments. I understand you want to stay with budget instruments right now and that's totally cool. However, if the fanned fret thing seems natural to you, dropping a few extra dollars on a used Dingwall might really take your bass playing to a whole other level.

Have fun with your search.

Bones

 

I tried a combustion once, closed my eyes to see if I could play it. Couldn't, so i guess it wasn't natural for me. I play in the key of C quite often and didn't care for that stretch either. I have friends that love them so it all up to the individual.

 

Did you close your eyes and successfully play a tune when you picked up your very first bass?
Or did you have to get used to it?

 

Which string has a scale length of 30"? The website doesn't say. I imagine the G. A 30" E string and even shorter upper strings would seem a strange beast to me.

Mugre

 

It probably sucks. $400? LOL

 

I think you will like it. I know I like mine:



One less string and all!

 

Looks like Brice beat Kiesel to it - I keep hoping there is a fanned-fret Vader in the future. I personally wouldn't want a short scale version, either, but... here's hoping!

 

That is a seriously wacky looking bass. The severe cutout behind the bridge, in order for you to literally get your hands in there to tune it, smacks of them grabbing a body off the shelf and somehow figuring out a way for it to work .

 

That bass is kinda wild.

 

I want a Dingwall and maybe one of these days I’ll rationalize buying one. I want a Canadian model.