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Why don't more builders use fanned frets / multi-scale?
- Thread starter Menorahman
- Start date
Was its purpose misunderstood due to the name's unwanted overtones? Possibly.
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Where would you get the strings fr a 33" to 37" scale length fanned fret? Is there a Chromes set for that?
Four strings, too. Might be nice for someone who's never played a 5-string snd wants to go fanned fret without also having to go for the extra string.
The lack of Love for ESP/LTD basses on this forum honestly amazes me
I just wish they offered it in trans black. The Ibanez looks great.
Four strings, too. Might be nice for someone who's never played a 5-string snd wants to go fanned fret without also having to go for the extra string.
I just wish they offered it in trans black. The Ibanez looks great.
Is it me or does the unfinished neck (brown spot in the middle) take away from the B string saddle hanging over the edge of the body?
Personally, I like the string tension on my two Dingwalls. It seems to be even across every string. I am surprised not a lot of others have mentioned this aspect. But then again what would I know, the other basses I have seem to be pretty good and even too. LOL
Most bass players are pretty unadventurous when it comes to basses. Look at the sales of "Fender" shapes.
There must be millions of D class / neo rigs out there with P basses going through them.
Fanned frets is like going to the moon to someone with agoraphobia.
Or they are just not interested in this particular design, for various reasons that are all legitimate.
What a strange and unfounded (and snobbish) assumption...
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The lack of Love for ESP/LTD basses on this forum honestly amazes me
As far as scale lengths goes, unlike the Ibanez (which is 35.5" on the B), ESP is doing it right and going with the full 37". I had a Dingwall for awhile but had to sell it to cover some unexpected bills. I loved it and promised myself that I'd own one again someday. The ESP has peeked my interest and my next fanned-fret bass may turn out to be something other than a Dingwall. It definitely will not be an Ibanez (unless they up the scale length . . . IMO, the Ibanez fanned-fret series is pure gimmick . . . with nothing notably gained when compared to any other of the SR series).
The B-string overhanging saddle is even more pronounced on the 6-string.
As for the unfinished section below the neck...why they would do such a thing is beyond me.
The answer is simple. $$$. If enough players were pursuing fan frets, there would be a Fender model. Extra cost to build fan fret basses won't be incurred by manufacturers until there's a clear path to profit.
There was always more than one solution to the floppy B string issue. Some bass builders applied their solution in the form of a longer scale for the larger diameter strings (fanned fret), but also in the mix, and this is a big one, the effort to make all strings have the same feel / tension / tone has been greatly resolved with technology in string making.
The string solution allows those who own a "legacy fretted" bass to continue using their favorite bass and therefore saving all those legacy fretted basses from the same fate as the VHS tape....
There was always more than one solution to the floppy B string issue. Some bass builders applied their solution in the form of a longer scale for the larger diameter strings (fanned fret), but also in the mix, and this is a big one, the effort to make all strings have the same feel / tension / tone has been greatly resolved with technology in string making.
The string solution allows those who own a "legacy fretted" bass to continue using their favorite bass and therefore saving all those legacy fretted basses from the same fate as the VHS tape....
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I'd need another 2" on my arm just to maintain any semblance of technique on the first five frets of a 37" scale bass.
This is pure vanity, but as a shorter guy I think I'd look ridiculous with a giant 37" bass hanging off me.
This is pure vanity, but as a shorter guy I think I'd look ridiculous with a giant 37" bass hanging off me.
It's relatively easy on bassstringsonline to find balanced strings, you make an excellent point there.
Wow. Again, you came in here looking for an argument.
What's your real issue? Is it that you can't afford one because First Act doesn't make them yet? Why are you trying to change minds so hard? Why do you give a crap whether we think it is worth having or not?
Let it go, dude! I have been playing for 30 years. I am not against a fanned-fret bass. But I have also made a lot of really good music without the "benefits" of owning one.
Seriously, did you honestly think you would start a thread that would result in 400 of us saying.....
"Well. Why didn't you tell us about these benefits before?????? I shall rush right out and buy one post haste! Thank you @Menorahman for showing us the light!"
Honestly, I need answers to my questions at this point. Why are you trying to ram fanned-frets up our collective butts rather than just having a casual conversation about something you dig?
There are people who still watch Three's Company reruns. There are people who still drive cars with four barrel carburetors. There are still people who don't own a microwave. Are you pissed at them too???
Geeeeez. It's been a long time since we had a "You guys are stupid because you don't buy into what I like" thread.
Why is this bothering you so much that we don't care as much as you do about one way of making basses?
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Man, I'm glad you love your fanned frets. But you have no idea what you are talking about with regard to the history of transportation.
We have been trying to fly for thousands of years. We have been trying to go faster, further, using less energy almost since we drew on walls. The human spirit longs to move and be free. At the same time cars were being invented (and they were being worked on by a lot more than just Henry Ford) there were also people trying to build the first aircraft. Bicycles were improving. We were racing boats and horses. We were trying to figure out the best way to get information down wires to other towns. We were trying to figure out how to send information through the air. We could start a whole thread on what trains did for the human race. We were doing everything we could to move people, goods and information as fast as possible all over the planet.
Again, I think it is really neat that you have found a way of playing bass that gets you really, really excited. But looking down your nose at anyone who hasn't made the switch is bad enough. Total disregard for history in an effort to validate your own obvious strangely emotional ties to your frets is just ridiculous.
It's hard enough for everyone around here to get along without throwing fret snobbery into the mix.
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If you don't like them....fine, who cares....if you do like them, fine....who cares.
Myself, I love the lows and I have a heavy hand(can't change it, i've tried...when the emotion kicks in...the hand comes down hard). so over the years I've discovered that a 35 inch scale is perfect for my playing style and the tone I'm looking for. BUT.....it makes the G string sound like poopie (to me) so I'm looking into fanned frets as the perfect combination of the two concepts. I'm just glad they are out there.
JB
Myself, I love the lows and I have a heavy hand(can't change it, i've tried...when the emotion kicks in...the hand comes down hard). so over the years I've discovered that a 35 inch scale is perfect for my playing style and the tone I'm looking for. BUT.....it makes the G string sound like poopie (to me) so I'm looking into fanned frets as the perfect combination of the two concepts. I'm just glad they are out there.
JB
