Fanned frets: officially a standard option

[Jason Rodgers]

There have been a handful of guys specializing in multiscale instruments (aside from Novak, obviously) - Toone, strandberg*, Dingwall, and our own Ormsby - but I think Ibanez's release of a fanned fret bass may be the first major manufacturer to offer it as a standard option/model.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eb_p ... color=CL01

I think that's kind of a big deal. It means Ibanez has noticed that a significant enough segment of the average player population is knowledgeable enough about this feature to make it profitable (or at least less risk averse). That's pretty cool.

[Hans Bezemer]

How cool!

I really loving playing a fanned fret neck. I think one of the advantages is that it is more ergonomic for your left hand when playing chords.
The first time I played a fanned frets neck (on my guitar teachers Novax) back when I was studying jazz-guitar, it only took me a couple of minutes to adjust my fingering.
Playing fretless with a compound stringlength is an obvious downside.

[Jason Rodgers]

I was first introduced to fanned frets through the guitar and music of Charlie Hunter, whom I still follow and appreciate greatly. This was early in my explorations of lutherie. It just made sense to me, and all the sketches I drew had fanned frets.

The first instrument I played with fanned frets, though, was my first completed build (posted here on the MIMF). One might think the 25.5"-27" scale splay would have caused some issues, but it was the 7-strings that fumbled my fingers! The next instruments are in progress, and one without frets!

In terms of that general audience/player awareness of fanned frets, I think youtube has played a not insignificant role in this education just in the past 5-10 years. Obviously, Charlie Hunter was one of the first to get it out there, exposing the younger jazz/funk audience to his 8-string guitar/bass hybrid as early as '93. Then there was acoustic player Andy McKee, who has been a patron of many builders. 7 and 8 string instruments benefit from the increased scale lengths on the bass end, and metal players like Tosin Abasi have been a customer of Toone and strandberg*. Then there are the numerous virtuosic soloists who often go to ergonomic and extended range instruments to find their sound. This is by no means an exhaustive list, or even chronologically accurate, but I've been watching it all for a while.

[Jason Rodgers]

It's all very exiting!

[Hans Bezemer]

For me seeing CH play back in the late 90' was a defining moment for me.
I always wanted to have an extended range on my guitar (and also I was bothered by the inconsistent tuning of a guitar).
Seeing CH play and develop in the later years really helped me to try to experiment with different tunings and extended range.
Playing a seven string instrument tuned in fifths fulfilled my goal / dream.

btw there already where some standard guitars with fanned frets from Rondo music: http://www.rondomusic.com/MultiScaleGuitars.html
Don't know anything about the quality...

[Perry Ormsby]

Ive been in negotiations for full scale production for 18 months. Procrastinated a bit though, we were 95% ready 10 months ago. :/

But, we finally push the big green GO button next week... 150 guitars to start. Very exciting times.

[Jason Rodgers]

Ive been in negotiations for full scale production for 18 months. Procrastinated a bit though, we were 95% ready 10 months ago. :/

But, we finally push the big green GO button next week... 150 guitars to start. Very exciting times.

Good on ya (to use your local congratulatory expression), and good luck! Thank you for spreading the fanned fret gospel!