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

#41
monsterthompson said:
The fanned frets aren't the feature. They are a required byproduct of having the extended string length of the lower pitched strings. If the benefit of the string length isn't there, the fanning itself is fairly meaningless.

The new Ibanez basses don't extend the lowest string, but instead shorten the higher strings. They have the same visible fanning with none if the claimed benefit of extending the scale length. Hence, it's a gimmick on them, only meant for visual appeal instead of serving a functional purpose.

The real question should be if the extended low string creates a benefit worthy of dealing with the fanned frets. Fanning does make some regions of the board easier to play, other regions are nearly unaffected, and others become harder to play (depending on what you are trying to accomplish). From a manufacturing perspective, there is overhead to begin production of a new style of fretboard if you're already a builder of "standard" fret/string-length instruments. From a player perspective, as long as it is a well executed design, you are looking at fine tuning something that works pretty well as-is. There are plenty of existing basses that have great tone and playability. The Dingwall is a fine instrument, but it isn't so much better that it's worth a change in the industry to adopt this "new" format for mass distribution.

Was the Wankle Rotary Engine a good idea? Sure. Did it have lovers and haters? Sure. Did it become a significant and commonly accepted design? Nope.
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Ibanez uses 35.5'' to 34'', so the opposite of what you said is true for those basses.
 
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#42
I keep hearing that there's no demand, yet Dingwall can't make basses fast enough even with the high price tags.

It's not about finding problems to solve, it's about moving forward and improving. When has "its good enough" ever been an acceptable answer for the human race? I'm willing to bet that if more people knew about the benefits of multi-scale, and it was marketed properly, then they would sell just fine.

If Fender did it, others would follow.
 
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#44
People were (and some case still are) resistant to five string basses. A lot of people will pass judgement on something never having had any personal experience with it and then justify that opinion any way they can. Do I care? Not even a little bit. When the prices dropped on those and they became easily accessible and common, that was enough to change a lot of opinions. I feel the same way about fake reliced and re-issue basses. If you want to play one, feel free, it's just not for me.
 
#45
Menorahman said:
I keep hearing that there's no demand, yet Dingwall can't make basses fast enough even with the high price tags.

It's not about finding problems to solve, it's about moving forward and improving. When has "its good enough" ever been an acceptable answer for the human race? I'm willing to bet that if more people knew about the benefits of multi-scale, and it was marketed properly, then they would sell just fine.

If Fender did it, others would follow.
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Dingwall makes nice bases. Frets aside, they'd probably still have a boutique price and loyal following, even with standard scale instruments.

Also, never underestimate the human desire to burn cash in search of the silver bullet. That thing is different and the guy selling it says it's better? I guess I'd better sell a kidney and get one. Then the guys who own them will tell you they are worth it despite the costs (not unlike marriages and children).

I've owned a Ding. It was nicely made. I didn't care for the tone vs. the basses I currently own, so I sold it. Fret fan or not, if the Ibanez basses sound nice, a market for them will develop. Ibanez has shown themselves to be progressive and modern, so this "new" design for them fits their corporate brand image.

Fender isn't branded as a "modern" or "progressive" brand, so they probably will retain their classic and vintage heritage image and do just fine ignoring this market segment.
 
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#46
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The lack of Love for ESP/LTD basses on this forum honestly amazes me
 
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#47
rufus.K said:
The first fanned feet ibever saw was Charlie hunter's Novax
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The first fanned fret (multiscale) instrument I saw in person is the 12 string guitar I bought last March. Feels totally natural to me, and to anyone else who has played it. It is 25.5" - 27" scale.

I have yet to play a bass with a multiscale neck, though.
 
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#53
Menorahman said:
I keep hearing that there's no demand, yet Dingwall can't make basses fast enough even with the high price tags.

It's not about finding problems to solve, it's about moving forward and improving. When has "its good enough" ever been an acceptable answer for the human race? I'm willing to bet that if more people knew about the benefits of multi-scale, and it was marketed properly, then they would sell just fine.

If Fender did it, others would follow.
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That could possibly be just a trend associated with a certain kind of music, it's too early to know. But I keep thinking that "moving forward and improving", "the benefits of multi-scale", etc. are highly subjective and totally debatable, and you seem to think that it's the only logical way to go. Do these basses have their place in music? Absolutely. Are they better for whatever reason? To each his own IMHO, YMMV..
 
#55
pravus said:
Nobody was asking for the car. We still got it for some reason. It's weird how people keep inventing stuff trying to improve. I'm never going to legacy frets again.
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Umm, you don't think transportation methods have been at the forefront of many technological advancements and were driven by desire for improvement on a large scale, not just by a few zealots? Not familiar with human history, are we? This is a really bad example. Try again.
 

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