chrisanthony1211 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 I find myself rather captivated by the dingwall super P, but there isnt anywhere near me to try one, and the fanned fretboard they have leaves me with a few questions! Is the fanned fretboard easier / more difficult to play? Does it make the bass noticeably sound better, and if so, why doesn't everyone make their basses with fanned frets? Also I like chromes on my P bass, would the different length strings required on each string mean that strings with silks on cannot be used? Thoughts from fellow bass chatters would be appreciated. Whether the fanned fretboard works or not, it looks bloody great!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 I tried a Dingwall las year at the Herts Bass Bash - I was doing a test of Precisions and a Dingwall was amongst them. In all honesty, I didn`t even notice the fanned frets until after, then thought how on earth did I play that, but I did, with no bother at all. I couldn`t comment re playing or sounding better though, as only did about a minute on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Definitely a hit with me. I found them extremely comfortable to play and actually found playing around the first few frets on the Low B/E easier on the Dingwall 37" than on my Warwicks 34" neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Feels totally natural and I really dig them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 You really don't notice it after starting to play one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Fad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1420925499' post='2655223'] You really don't notice it after starting to play one. [/quote] Yep took five minutes to stop noticing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Like the comments above, the fan fret system is very comfortable to play and certainly after a short while you'll forget that you are using it on single note passages. The only time I've had to work around it is with the more complex chord extension up past the 14th fret. Can feel a bit weird! Tonally there's much on offer and the fundamental of the note seems to have more punch and girth to me. That's a hard one to describe as many basses have depth and fat low end, but trying to describe note detail is actually quite difficult! ha. Anyway, string to string tension seems more balanced as does string to string volume. I'd expect that of any high end instrument though but every Dingwall I have played has had a very clear and defined voice to it that can cut through the mix. Yes you may have problems with your normal string brands however the likes of DIngwall themselves do a range of strings for their basses as does the US brand Kalium who are very good. Why doesn't everyone make basses with fan frets? Well two reasons I can think of - The first being that maybe when the 'classic three' emerged, the thought of fan frets wasn't on the cards and that's just how things went from then on. It's also more difficult to do accurately, certainly by hand, thus it would take longer and therefore cost more to produce instruments with the Novax fan fret system on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 [quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1420925867' post='2655231'] Fad. [/quote] Fanned afficionado diehard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I recently bought my first Dingwall, an AB5 without being able to try one. So my first experience with ff was when I unboxed the bass and started to play. No problems whatsoever. I need to pay attention high up the neck wich chords, thats all. And sounds sweet. And it is damn light. And quality is top notch .... If you are drawn to the Super J I think you should buy, you will not be disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) I had one for a while and didn't find any huge problems when I first played it. However I did counter the odd difficulty when swapping back and forth between the Dingwall and regular basses. Only up around the nut though, maybe first 3 frets or so. I couldn't find any benefit on a 4 sting bass so eventually gave up. Definitely of more use on a low B than than an E. Edited January 11, 2015 by molan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnyman Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) I bought a Super P/J and it's easily the best, most comfortable bass I've ever played. It took minutes to get used to - the trick is to forget about the fanned frets and not look - let your fingers find the frets themselves. It also sounds awesome through a Genz shuttle. Much, much better than my fender jazz(es). That said, you have to try it for yourself - but it's worth going to some effort to locate one to try Edited January 11, 2015 by Skinnyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I quite enjoyed them, but moved mine on in the end. I can't quite get the idea of the Super P & J where the scale length on the upper strings is shorter than a Fender. Presumable to go for heavier strings, seems to fly in the face of the purpose of a Dingwall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I quite fancy a 6 strung F# B E A D G. Use that 37 in scale properly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 [quote name='ead' timestamp='1420998146' post='2655998'] I quite enjoyed them, but moved mine on in the end. I can't quite get the idea of the Super P & J where the scale length on the upper strings is shorter than a Fender. Presumable to go for heavier strings, seems to fly in the face of the purpose of a Dingwall. [/quote] I think that shorter strings (as with say the G and D) on a fanned fret instrument can be lighter for the same tuning compared to 34" or longer scale length, that way you get a better balance of tension across the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I think it's the other way round. To achieve the same tension, the shorter the scale, the heavier the string needs to be. For example try tuning two adjacent strings on your bass to the same pitch which replicates a heavier and a lighter string . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I knew I'd get confused between gauge and tension LOL. I know the idea is increase the tension for the lower strings and reduce the tension for the higher strings so you get a better balance across the neck but I don't know how the gauges run (where you often get a .02" change from string to string on a normal even scale bass). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 There are complex foumlae available involving things like string mass per unit length, scale length and pitch of the string. I'm sure I've seen something on the D'Addario website about it. Dingwalls definitely allow you to use lighter strings across the bass and achieve a nice balanced tension which for me is a big positive. From what I remember the Dingwall strings have pretty well chosen gauges. For a 'standard' bass with a 34" scale my personal favs are the D'Addario BT170 balanced tension set which have gauges of 45/60/80/107. I suspect that construction of individual strings plays a part too, and then all the voodoo about string break angles etc (in the sense that it's harder to quantify easily). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Found the transition pretty simple and the string weight/tension does feel more comfortable and the sound punchier. I seem to be able to get the tone of 'digging in' with less effort. It's worth trying a few as the neck profiles vary so the right one will depend on what you want. I knew I wanted the flattened-C profile rather than the very thick D on the Thumb 5 I had before. I tried out a couple and the Z3 I bought was exactly what I wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1420927070' post='2655259'] Fanned afficionado diehard? [/quote] aficionado. a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, about an activity, subject, or pastime. other words…. authority, connoisseur, specialist. Edited January 14, 2015 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Sounds like Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 [quote name='ead' timestamp='1420998146' post='2655998'] I quite enjoyed them, but moved mine on in the end. I can't quite get the idea of the Super P & J where the scale length on the upper strings is shorter than a Fender. Presumable to go for heavier strings, seems to fly in the face of the purpose of a Dingwall. [/quote] This, plus.... Fender and Rickenbacker have both tried fanned frets in the 60's, soon ditched. Not for me, but each to their own. You defo need to try before you buy i reckon though, as its clearly not everyones taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1421352629' post='2660342'] Fender and Rickenbacker have both tried fanned frets in the 60's, soon ditched. [/quote] Wow, never knew that. Any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Wasn't the Riccie version just slanted in one direction though? Not strickly a fan-fret system and the benefits that brings in terms of a longer scale length for the lower strings, but just to ease the playing angle or something? I've not seen the Fender version, but I do know that Novak has customised strats to take the full fan fret system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Yes, the rid was just slanted frets, so not the same thing, and not exactly soon ditched as it lasted 9 years http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/481/481.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.