Fan frets and alternate tunings

[TBman]

Is it a problem? I'm complete ignorant on the subject of fan frets. I play primarily in DADGAD and lower tunings.

[rick-slo]

Could make the stretch on some chords more difficult. A bit of a trade off for a different sound.

[jaymarsch]

Because a fan fret allows you to have a longer scale length for the bass strings and shorter scale length for the trebles, you can drop tunings and still have a certain amount of tension. It just depends on what scale length segments the luthier chooses and the location of the perpendicular fret.
I have played a few fan frets but do not have a lot of experience with them but I do know a player who uses altered tunings and likes the fan fret option.
You’ll probably get some replies from folks more knowledgeable than me. :-)
Best,
Jayne

[jklotz]

Imho, this is where you see the most benefit from fan frets. The longer scale on the low end helps the low strings ring with authority while retaining that shorter scale sweetness on the treble strings.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by TBman

Is it a problem? I'm complete ignorant on the subject of fan frets. I play primarily in DADGAD and lower tunings.

Hi Barry…

It's actually easier. The 'fan' means longer bass strings (more tension when downtuned and generally better volume), and sweeter trebles is your varied scale is short-scale on the treble strings and long scale on the bass.

My Bashkin OM is 25" on the 1st string, and 25.75" on the 6th string. The normal string is the 3rd. Strings 1-2 are short scale, and 4-5-6 are long scale.

Pretty ideal for alternate tunings…at least as far down as CGCGCD.

I've generally strung it with either custom light or light gauge (it was designed for custom light strings).

It also performs admirably in 'standard' tuning.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Could make the stretch on some chords more difficult. A bit of a trade off for a different sound.

Hi Derek
My scale offset is ¾" total, equally split (⅜" at nut and saddle)…and I have no stretch issues. I think most fanned fret instruments I've played which were 1.25" or less were pretty manageable.

I have played a 1.5" offset guitar where it was totally off-set at the nut, and it was difficult to do some stretches. I sure wasn't sure what the style of music/playing this 'formula' was intended for.

There is no 'right' way to build fanned fret guitars, though there may be some 'better' ones. I've seen scale offsets up to 2 inches. I've seen a 1" offset where the entire offset was at the bridge, so the first 5-6 frets were pretty much normal feeling. It brought the benefit of a stronger than normal bass without pushing hard for that size body.

I've played (tried to play) a 2.5" offset, but I'm not sure how the offset was divided. It was not functional for me, because I'm more of a conventional finger styler. It was built for a tapper.

Interesting topic…

[warfrat73]

I guess my understanding was that alternate tunings were a big part of what multi scale guitars were for, that the longer scale length on the bass strings is intended (at least in part) to support lower tunings.

[Feste]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Barry…

It's actually easier. The 'fan' means longer bass strings (more tension when downtuned and generally better volume), and sweeter trebles is your varied scale is short-scale on the treble strings and long scale on the bass.

Agreed! My custom Russel Crosby FS Elite has a 27-28” scale that is perfect for alternative tunings. I found that once you begin playing fan-frets you don’t think about the fretboard any differently than a standard fretboard, but it is quite often easier.

[TBman]

Ok, great, thanks everyone!

[Malcolm Kindnes]

Fan fret guitars are designed for playing in open tunings.

[Michael Watts]

Hello there!

Good question - the majority of players using a fan fret do use open tunings but there are guys who like them in standard too. The benefits are mainly sonic and I go into some detail in this video - I hope it helps.



All the best

Michael

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

Hello there!
Good question - the majority of players using a fan fret do use open tunings but there are guys who like them in standard too. The benefits are mainly sonic and I go into some detail in this video - I hope it helps.

All the best Michael

Michael, thanks for the very informative video. I learned quite a bit!

[Organic Sounds Select Guitars]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

Hello there!

Good question - the majority of players using a fan fret do use open tunings but there are guys who like them in standard too. The benefits are mainly sonic and I go into some detail in this video - I hope it helps.



All the best

Michael

Incredibly helpful and well done video, Michael!

Barry, I'm glad you asked about fan frets as I am curious about them as well. I learned a lot from Michael's video.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

Hello there!

Good question - the majority of players using a fan fret do use open tunings but there are guys who like them in standard too. The benefits are mainly sonic and I go into some detail in this video - I hope it helps.



All the best

Michael

Spot on as usual. The only thing I might add is that it might be better to base the scale length on intended tuning. I'm going to order a guitar for CGCGCD and I'm going with something like a 26" for the low C to 25.5".