Who Here Uses Fanned Frets?

Kemono · #1 01-24-2009, 04:10 AM

I'm considering getting a guitar build from a local builder.

I wonder about using fanned frets. I'm particular about the tension of strings; it makes a difference in tone and feel. With a larger scale, there will be higher tension. How does this work out? What strings do you use?

EvoGiant · #2 01-24-2009, 11:02 AM

what the hell are fanned frets? forgive the uninformed......

Ad_Astra · #3 01-24-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvoGiant

what the hell are fanned frets? forgive the uninformed......

Google said something like this:

Kemono · #4 01-24-2009, 12:15 PM

Nice pic. Is it yours?

The low strings have a longer scale, the higher strings have a shorter scale.

With a longer scale, there is higher tension. With thicker strings, there is higher tension. Tension affects feel and tone.

Feel and tone are subjective. I like my 25.5" RG with 10-46 blue steels, in Eb tuning.

Some 6 string fanned fret guitars have 26"-24.75" scale (what I'm considering). What strings should go on that guitar (in Eb tuning)?

Ad_Astra · #5 01-24-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kemono

Nice pic. Is it yours?

Oh no. I didn't know what 'fanned frets' mean so I found out what it means.

OliverKlohzoff · #6 01-24-2009, 03:31 PM

Looks like intonation hell to me.

mrjakob69 · #7 01-24-2009, 04:52 PM

rusty cooley has a 7 or 8 string that has "fanned frets" but it just looks like chord nightmere to me.

skins345669 · #8 01-24-2009, 05:11 PM

Yeah, I quite like my frets straight.

heffergm · #9 01-24-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ad_Astra

Oh no. I didn't know what 'fanned frets' mean so I found out what it means.

That pic is of a Sherman with an 8 string Kahler bridge:

http://www.sherman-customs.com

heffergm · #10 01-24-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverKlohzoff

Looks like intonation hell to me.

No different than any other guitar. The bridge is built to account for the variation in scale length.

heffergm · #11 01-24-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjakob69

rusty cooley has a 7 or 8 string that has "fanned frets" but it just looks like chord nightmere to me.

When was the last time you saw Rusty play a chord? I can't recall such an event ever happening...

callen3615 · #12 01-24-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skins345669

Yeah, I quite like my frets straight.

LOL

Homebake · #13 01-24-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heffergm

When was the last time you saw Rusty play a chord? I can't recall such an event ever happening...

ahaha, that guy is ridiculous, he should be employed by the US military as a weapon.

DEADTUNES666 · #14 01-24-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ad_Astra

Maybe I'm stupid or something, but that doesn't even look like you could play chords on that. Bend your wrist, twist a finger crack a knuckle even then I don't think so...Well maybe Django could.

I don't get it. I really feel old not being able to understand you crazy youngsters with your new fangled guitar gizmos.

AxeHappy · #15 01-24-2009, 08:12 PM

It is designed to help fix intonation problems actually. And just the general fact that the guitar is in theory a horrible instruments. Whoever invented Frets is a sinner to people with good ears around the world.

Charile Novax holds the US patent for fanned frets as far as I know they aren't patented in any other country.

The concept is to give each different string a different scale length thusly making it actually play in tune. Unlike the current guitar system. It is very much like the true tempermant system.