Why don't more builders use fanned frets / multi-scale?

[Menorahman]

The concept has been around a good while and yet only recently Ibanez has become the first company to really mass produce fanned fret basses. However, these aren't even full scale (35.5'' vs 37'' low B). Some boutique builders do it, but usually as a special order kinda deal.

Do companies not want to step on Dingwall's feet? Or do they just believe fanned frets won't sell?

It's a shame that Dingwall is the only one really doing it given their prices and scarcity. I've heard it isn't really more costly to produce multi-scale once the manufacturing is in place. By now I feel like we should be able to get a fanned fret jazz for less than $3k. Or think how awesome a 5-string multi-scale Fodera would be...

 

[twinjet]

The concept has been around a good while and yet only recently Ibanez has become the first company to really mass produce fanned fret basses. However, these aren't even full scale (35.5'' vs 37'' low B). Some boutique builders do it, but usually as a special order kinda deal.

Do companies not want to step on Dingwall's feet? Or do they just believe fanned frets won't sell?

It's a shame that Dingwall is the only one really doing it given their prices and scarcity. I've heard it isn't really more costly to produce multi-scale once the manufacturing is in place. By now I feel like we should be able to get a fanned fret jazz for less than $3k. Or think how awesome a 5-string multi-scale Fodera would be...

Could just be a lack of appeal. Personally, I like my regular fretboards. I don't need or want fanned frets.

They also look annoying as heck to play.

 

[FourBanger]

There really isn't a lot of demand for it.

 

[Menorahman]

There really isn't a lot of demand for it.

There's enough for Dingwall, though they don't produce that many basses on relative scale.

Demand is also manufactured, so if fanned frets were shown to be the new cool thing, it's possible that more people would want them.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Ibanez now offers a fanned fret bass, there might be a few others as well. It does appear to be a niche market thing, but I think they're pretty cool. I got to play another TBer's Dingwall J-style 4-string and it did take a bit of effort to get used to, but after 10 minutes I felt just as comfortable on it as a regular-fret bass.

I wouldn't mind having one but it's not super-high on my GAS list right now.

 

[Off-Beat]

There's enough for Dingwall, though they don't produce that many basses on relative scale.

Demand is also manufactured, so if fanned frets were shown to be the new cool thing, it's possible that more people would want them.

Yeah like Steinbergers. Although most will harshly object musicians are imo very traditional.

 

[FourBanger]

How's this then: fanned frets solve a problem most players don't feel is a problem.

 

[mongo2]

How's this then: fanned frets solve a problem most players don't feel is a problem.

I was just going to say fanned frets are a solution in search of a problem.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Fanned frets are very intimidating for most players. On that note, while the transition is almost immediate if you play regular bass styles, if you do lots of chords or harmonics they are more difficult to play.

Don't forget most basses are 4-string as well, there really isn't a need for fanned frets.

 

[Menorahman]

How's this then: fanned frets solve a problem most players don't feel is a problem.

lotsa players and engineers complain about the low B on normal basses

multiscale fixes that issue and provides additional balance and clarity on all strings

 

[Menorahman]

I will admit that playing on fanned frets is more difficult due to the increased scale length, but the trade-off is you get an unbeatable low B

 

[FourBanger]

lotsa players and engineers complain about the low B on normal basses

multiscale fixes that issue and provides additional balance and clarity on all strings

And a lot of those guys solve it by either utilizing a 35" scale or trying out a few types of strings. If it was such a bad problem that we needed a fanned fret revolution it would have come shortly on the heels of the fiver revolution. It didn't come.

 

[Menorahman]

Sounds like people are afraid of change despite the objective benefits.

 

[rufus.K]

The first fanned feet ibever saw was Charlie hunter's Novax

 

[Daniel Piper]

Objective benefits that the vast majority of popular music over the past 50 years hasnt required.

 

[Menorahman]

Objective benefits that the vast majority of popular music over the past 50 years hasnt required.

Nothing is ever required, everything is arbitrary and pointless. There's no real need for anything besides the basic 4-string P and J, so I guess that's all we should get.

 

[Menorahman]

It's like people arguing against noiseless pickups.

Are they required? No. Are they awesome? uh...yeah.

 

[StreetSurfer]

I would LOVE to have a 37" multi-scale 5-string. It just seems like basses should be designed this way, especially 5ers and 6ers; although even 4s would be great this way. As much as I love the feel of a good regular Jazz bass, a multi-scale Jazz would be awesome. More even tone and sustain across the strings, I love the idea. I've heard amazing things about Dingwall B-strings, I really wish more people would do it. Heck, it'd be great if Warmoth did it. I'd pay a little extra for that.

 

[blowinblue]

How's this then: fanned frets solve a problem most players don't feel is a problem.

Agreed. All of my fivers have B-strings that are tight sounding and appropriately balanced with the other strings. And the issue of the 'poinky' sounding 35" G-string is much less of a problem than compensating for the Novak fanned frets (at least for me). I feel no compulsion to mess with what already meets my needs. And if you haven't discerned it yet, I'm hopelessly OCD.

M. M.

 

[FourBanger]

Don't call it resisting change. Call it not needing change. It is your opinion that it is undeniably better but like has been said most bassists don't see it as enough of a problem to change the design of their instruments. Its not a resistance of anything, its a lack of real need.