why fan-fretted basses?

[twinjet]

Hi guys,

What is it about these instruments that appeals? Is there a certain technique, a sound, or is it all aesthetics?

 

[spanndrew]

It allows you to have a tight sounding low B (or low anything) without a twangy sounding high G/C.

 

[StanTurpentine]

Also, you'll get the added plus of looking like a BAMF or end up wearing the dunce cap. Really depends on how you present yourself with the bass.

 

[Bassic Playing]

The fanned frets allow for a different scale length on each string, giving an 'optimum' sound for each note. For example, a low B generally needs a longer scale length to sound defined, while a high g or c sounds nice and full with a shorter scale length.

 

[J Posega]

Also, you'll get the added plus of looking like a BAMF or end up wearing the dunce cap. Really depends on how you present yourself with the bass.

Really? A dunce? How you "present yourself"? I don't even understand what you mean... are fanned frets inherently unattractive or something? To be honest, most people see and hear me play my Dingwall and then, only after a few hours, or even a few sessions do they say, "Holy crap, those frets!"

OP, look up a grand piano. Notice how the low strings are on the long end of the instrument, high strings on the shorter end.

Frets are fanned to make up for inharmonicity... that ugly, tubby, sorta out of tune crappy sound you get when you try to play your E string above the 12th fret. The extended scale lends clarity to the low notes without the need to use really big, heavy strings, which gives you more of that crappy, inharmonic sound. On a shorter scale. Sure, the whole instrument could be longer scale, but then you get twangier, tighter high strings. And it gets uncomfortable to as you reach for the low notes.

So fan the frets, and lined them up to basically match the fan of your four fretting fingers. Bam... instantly comfortable, balanced tension from one string to the next, and enharmonic notes (the same notes played on different strings) suddenly sound exactly alike. Try that on a P bass. Your B on the A string isn't gonna sound nearly the same as B on the E string.

 

[StanTurpentine]

Calm down, I play a Dingwall as well. Some people just don't like fanned frets and think they're stupid. Jesus Christ, people get upset for no reason whatsoever.

 

[J Posega]

Calm down, I play a Dingwall as well. Some people just don't like fanned frets and think they're stupid. Jesus Christ, people get upset for no reason whatsoever.

Dude, I just didn't even understand what you meant about "presenting yourself" with your bass. I wasn't attacking, I was trying to get some clarification.

 

[Mark Wilson]

I read that the frets are also designed in such a way to be as naturally ergonomic to the hand as possible? Or did i make that up?

 

[Tanner5382]

Calm down, I play a Dingwall as well. Some people just don't like fanned frets and think they're stupid. Jesus Christ, people get upset for no reason whatsoever.

You're the only one getting upset.

 

[silky smoove]

I read that the frets are also designed in such a way to be as naturally ergonomic to the hand as possible? Or did i make that up?

That's an additional benefit but not the primary reason for the design.

 

[MD]

Meh... real multi-scale players run a blank plank.
That's right, I said it!

 

[lz4005]

I read that the frets are also designed in such a way to be as naturally ergonomic to the hand as possible? Or did i make that up?

It basically lets you keep your fretting-hand wrist straighter than with parallel frets.
That's also why people say it feels natural to play and that the reach doesn't feel much longer despite the increased scale on the lower strings.

But mostly it's because lower notes sound better played on longer strings. That's why basses are big and mandolins are small.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I read that the frets are also designed in such a way to be as naturally ergonomic to the hand as possible? Or did i make that up?

I think you are thinking of Torzal Twist. I do not think there are ergonomic benefits to fanned frets, I have never noticed any. I also like to chord and use harmonics so I find fanned frets awkward at times.

 

[LanEvo]

I read that the frets are also designed in such a way to be as naturally ergonomic to the hand as possible? Or did i make that up?

I don't think that as part of the design, but it's a nice side effect.

The first time I played a fanned-fret bass was at Steve's Music in Montreal around 1996 or so. They had 3 or 4 Dingwalls in stock. I expected it to feel very weird, but I felt instantly at home. Sitting or standing, the notes fall naturally under your fingers.

 

[warrplayer]

I think you are thinking of Torzal Twist. I do not think there are ergonomic benefits to fanned frets, I have never noticed any. I also like to chord and use harmonics so I find fanned frets awkward at times.

It tends to make the tention on each string more similar to every other string than on a standard instrument, doesn't it? Seems like that would be a slight ergonomic advantage.

 

[Mark Wilson]

No no, he's right. I'm totally thinking of the Torzal Twist. Just got my facts mixed up. Derp.

 

[lfmn16]

You're the only one getting upset.

 

[silky smoove]

No no, he's right. I'm totally thinking of the Torzal Twist. Just got my facts mixed up. Derp.

Don't downplay the ergonomic benefits of a fanned fret bass. Hold your hand in the position for the first fret, now move up to the 12th and beyond. Notice how the fanned frets mimic your hand/wrist's natural angle as you progress in exactly the way parallel frets don't? It wasn't the primary goal from a design perspective, but it's a nice ancillary benefit.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

why ask why? I say WHY NOT!

 

[silky smoove]

why ask why? I say WHY NOT!

Agreed. The only reason there isn't one currently in my stable is because I haven't bought it/them yet.