So why fanned frets?

[DiMarco]

I am puzzled. No low B ever sounded tighter and more inline with the other strings then that of a Warwick Thumb NT or Dolphin Pro1, and those are 34" scale.

Please explain to me why fanned frets are an improvement for their purpose eludes me right now.
I want to experience GAS for a Dingwall.

 

[MonetBass]

Short answer, this:

Obviously the concept is the same as on the piano.

 

[jd56hawk]

I am puzzled. No low B ever sounded tighter and more inline with the other strings then that of a Warwick Thumb NT or Dolphin Pro1, and those are 34" scale.

Please explain to me why fanned frets are an improvement for their purpose eludes me right now.
I want to experience GAS for a Dingwall.

Not to mention the feel...totally natural.

 

[lz4005]

Obviously the concept is the same as on the piano.

To elaborate just a little: The big advantage is that you can get the same tension out of a skinnier B string by making it longer. A thinner string will be more flexible, which means it will have a more natural harmonic series and will sound more similar to the other strings.

There are other advantages as well, but that's the main one.

 

[bearfoot]

Physics, and stuff.

I think one of the main advantages in terms of performance is the visual aspect.

 

[Runlikegregg]

I don't understand the piano reference.
is it that the thick strings are longer and the thin strings are shorter?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It looks like those strings on the piano are the same diameter.
Multiscale just makes sense, more even string tension.
The fanned frets are apparently easier to fret as well, more natural to your hand.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Quoted from the Dingwall FAQ
Invalid Link Removed

WHY FANNED-FRETS?
The frets are fanned to allow for a longer scale on the bass side and a shorter scale on the treble side of the instrument. This solves a few problems:
1) No longer will the B-string sound darker and less distinct compared to the other strings.
2) The G-string retains warmth and normal tension compared to extending the scale of all strings.
3) You will no longer have to adjust your attack depending on which string is being played due to the more even tension from string to string.
4) You will no longer find the tone adjustments for one string interfering with another due to the more even tone across the strings.
5) You will no longer be unheard and ignored by your audience due to the combination of the longer scale low strings and the even tonality across all the strings.

 

[Runlikegregg]

Quoted from the Dingwall FAQ
Invalid Link Removed

WHY FANNED-FRETS?
The frets are fanned to allow for a longer scale on the bass side and a shorter scale on the treble side of the instrument. This solves a few problems:
1) No longer will the B-string sound darker and less distinct compared to the other strings.
2) The G-string retains warmth and normal tension compared to extending the scale of all strings.
3) You will no longer have to adjust your attack depending on which string is being played due to the more even tension from string to string.
4) You will no longer find the tone adjustments for one string interfering with another due to the more even tone across the strings.
5) You will no longer be unheard and ignored by your audience due to the combination of the longer scale low strings and the even tonality across all the strings.

#5 seems like a bit of a stretch

 

[Watchootognbout]

#5 seems like a bit of a stretch

Well they most certainly won't ignore the frets!!

 

[Barticus]

I think YMMV... The FAQs seem like great marketing justification for the fanned frets. But I guess you really have to spend a ton of time with it to really appreciate it or to see if it's right for you... I know these comments may not be popular, but that's my take.

I owned an Ibanez SRFF806 for about a month and played it a lot during that time (good 80-100hrs) and really wanted to love it, and found that the fanned frets were easy to play and adapt to but sometimes were not comfortable, like chording above the 12th fret was not really comfortable as it felt like I had to over rotate my hand to play clean (eg- playing a G7). No the Ibanez was not a Dingwall, but provided me with a similar experience.

In the end, I truly appreciated my custom shop Thumb 5 (very thin shaved neck and well balanced) and my modified SR1406TE when returning to them in comparison.

I also played the yellow Dingwall 5 at Gruhn's last week thinking I'd come away with a different opinion, and while it was cool and a beautiful bass (very thin neck) I still don't think I would be convinced to jump to it over my other daily players (Thumb 5 or SR1406TE, etc.)

Again, maybe I need to spend more time with one to really love it - or maybe its just not for me.

 

[gln1955]

Quoted from the Dingwall FAQ
Invalid Link Removed

WHY FANNED-FRETS?
The frets are fanned to allow for a longer scale on the bass side and a shorter scale on the treble side of the instrument. This solves a few problems:
1) No longer will the B-string sound darker and less distinct compared to the other strings.
2) The G-string retains warmth and normal tension compared to extending the scale of all strings.
3) You will no longer have to adjust your attack depending on which string is being played due to the more even tension from string to string.
4) You will no longer find the tone adjustments for one string interfering with another due to the more even tone across the strings.
5) You will no longer be unheard and ignored by your audience due to the combination of the longer scale low strings and the even tonality across all the strings.

Would I also be admired by my peers, more attractive to the opposite sex and loved by small animals?

 

[MEKer]

Fanned frets are obviously also a help to many fans of them (beyond the scale reasons) for a variety of reasons including reach, perhaps even helping due to finger injuries or just the habit someone may have in how they hold their bass.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

To elaborate just a little: The big advantage is that you can get the same tension out of a skinnier B string by making it longer. A thinner string will be more flexible, which means it will have a more natural harmonic series and will sound more similar to the other strings.

There are other advantages as well, but that's the main one.

Thanks for elaborating. It was not obvious to me when viewing that previously posted photo.

Why do some people assume that things obvious to them are obvious everyone else?

 

[Trouztrouz]

It is obviously meant to keep you cool under those hot stage lights.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Jaco didn’t need fanned frets!

 

[mmbongo]

Jaco didn’t need fanned frets!

Jaco didn't need ANY frets!

 

[73jbass]

All my 5 and 6 strings,but one, are 34" scale. No issues ever. I think the fanned fret thing was a solution for a problem that really didnt exist. I understand what it does, but it isnt necessarily an improvement.

 

[singlemalt]

There’s plenty more to get excited about on a Dingwall than just the fanned frets. They get all kinds of details right. Fit and finish, construction, electronics, and hardware are all top notch.

The long scale models offer amazing clarity, and super balanced tension and volume across the neck. Super series is excellent as well. Bass strings benefit from the longer scale and treble strings get a nice short scale punch.

Only problem is it can be hard to get a test drive. Maybe putting up a few questions on the Dingwall owners thread will help find a dealer or player to help out.

Many of us Dingwall guys jumped in blind.

 

[Meyatch]

I think they look awesome and I’d love to play one someday. I’m skeptical that the 2-3” difference in scale length is enough to get more than a sniff of any real improvements different scale lengths could have.