So I was going to title this month’s blog, “fan frets aren’t just for fans of multi-scale guitars”, but unless you have seen our Solo FFTCK-500 Multi-scale guitar kit on the website, I’m sure you would be asking what the heck is he going on about now? Well, it’s a pretty exciting addition to the Solo lineup of kits, so let’s take a sneak peak at this fret sensation.
Fan fretting, or multi-scale necks are not new….in fact they have been around since about the 16th century, the first example of which is an instrument called the Bandora.
The original patent for fan fretting was taken out in 1900 by one E.A. Edgren….so this ‘new’ style of fretting has been ‘on the books’ for over 120 years. In 1989, Ralph Novak of Novax Guitars, was awarded a US Patent for his Multi-scale Fan Fretted Neck. Many other custom builders have been making the multi-scale design much more popular in the last 20 years or so, and some major companies like Dingwall and Ibanez have added multi-scale necks to their catalogues as well. Although fan fretting finds it’s way into many genre’s of music, the current trend is toward metal, prog-metal and prog-rock, where drop tunings are very popular.
Developing And Designing A 3d Printed Electric Guitar Kit
So what actually is fan fretting or multi-scale neck building about? Well, first of all, both names are correct and describe the same thing. When you look at a fan fretted neck, the frets are installed at angles that resemble a fan, and the purpose of this is to use a different scale length for each string. Yup, you heard me, a different scale length for each string! When we look at stringed instruments and actually get into the science/physics of them, we find that all stringed instruments use different gauge strings for different pitches….obviously, the heavier strings (higher mass) create deeper tones, and the thinner strings (less mass) create the higher pitches. This is due to the relationship between of mass and tension (a description of which I could give you, but would make this blog too long….). The tension part can be easily explained, however, when you put a new set of strings on your guitar….if you wanted to tune your high E string to sound like the low E, it would have almost no tension and would sound like a dead half-frozen duck. Conversely, if you wanted to tune your low E string to the same pitch as your high E, it would be so tight that it would probably break the guitar neck. So we compromise. We find the correct thickness of string to play as well as possible given a certain scale length (have you ever wondered who came up with the gauges in a medium gauge set of strings?)
Let’s compare your guitar or bass etc to a piano. We are all familiar with the shape of a grand piano yes? Well if you look inside, you will see the massive curved bridges that anchor strings of different gauges and lengths….the perfect example of a multi-scale instrument. Piano’s capitalize on using the proper thickness of string at the proper length to create the best sound. Since it is unreasonable to have an 88 string guitar (just because it would be called a piano) we use fanned frets for the very same purpose. The bass strings on your guitar can be heavier and will be longer, and the higher-pitched strings will be thinner and shorter, all using similar tension so that the guitar is comfortable and easy to play while yielding the best possible sound (and some say intonation as well) for each string.
That’s the ‘Fan Frets for Dummies’ version of the facts…..Fanned frets really shine with drop tunings and extreme drop tunings which is why they are so popular with the metal heads and prog-rockers. When buying strings, make sure you look at buying strings designed for drop tuning as they may be more suited to the fan fretted guitar you are building (but of course you can use any set of strings you like). And how weird is it to play a fan fretted guitar? Well at a guitar show years back, it might have been Ralph Novak that said to me, ‘just close your eyes and play’…and he was right. The fanned frets are possibly more ergonomic to the human hand, and there is not a lot of getting used to the design when you sit down with your fan fretted guitar or bass.
R 458bk Multiscale
Anyway, check out the Solo FFTCK-500 Guitar Kit if you want something newer and more innovative for your next project!! It might add some wanted challenge to your next build, but it will definitely add some excitement!!! Till next time…………….Weifang Nangemusical instrument Co., Ltd. is located in Tangwu Town, Changle County, Shandong Province,it was established in 2016. At the beginning of its establishment, Nange was committed to providing all beginners and music lovers with affordable high-quality musical instruments and accessories, and helping them to realize their musical dreams.
Nowadays, Nangehas developed into one of the most famous guitar factories in China . Products include electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, amplifiers, cases, accessories and so on. Reasonably priced, everyone can afford!
Company Introduction: Weifang Nange musical instrument Co., Ltd is located in Tangwu Town, Changle County, Shandong Province, it was established in 2016. At the beginning of its establishment, we was committed to providing all beginners and music lovers with affordable high-quality musical instruments and accessories, and helping them to realize their musical dreams. We are always focus on the quality, service as well as innovation, persist in Customer First and Faith Principle. We pursue in our self-owned brand building with the goal to be a superior musical instruments product one-stop supplier at home and abroad. Nowadays, we has developed into one of the most famous guitar factories in China. Products include electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, amplifiers, cases, accessories and so on. Reasonably priced, everyone can afford! Weifang Nange musical instrument Co., Ltd is located in Tangwu Town, Changle County, Shandong Province, it was established in 2016. At the beginning of its establishment, we was committed to providing all beginners and music lovers with affordable high-quality musical instruments and accessories, and helping them to realize their musical dreams. We are always focus on the quality, service as well as innovation, persist in Customer First and Faith Principle. We pursue in our self-owned brand building with the goal to be a superior musical instruments product one-stop supplier at home and abroad. Nowadays, we has developed into one of the most famous guitar factories in China. Products include electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, amplifiers, cases, accessories and so on. Reasonably priced, everyone can afford!
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