Fan fret input requested

[cLepto-bass]

For a long while now I have been thinking about going down the fan fret system route and particularly interested in a Dingwall Combustion. 

However, I am a high C 5 string player so was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how that might work out on the fan fret system.

As always, input greatly appreciated.

[BigRedX]

What's the scale lengths of the 5-string Dingwalls? And are there EADGC sets available for them?

I think that the Dingwall Combustion Basses are designed to get the best out of "conventional" BEADG stringing and you may find that even if there is a suitable E-C set made the high C will be too high tension and consequently rather brittle sounding. Certainly my experiences with a 34" scale 5-string bass strung E-C, a 30" Squier Bass VI tuned EADGCE, and a 28" Baritone guitar tuned B-B is that 30" scale is for me the optimum to get a nice feeling and sounding high C string.

That doesn't mean that the fan-fret design is a non-starter for E-C stringing, just that you might need to look at alternative scale lengths to what is normally available.

[jebroad]

I currently play a 4 string dingwall combustion. I would say dingwall isnt the best route as they focus on longer scales for lower strings. If you’re interested, I’m making some 23.5”-22” scale basses that can be fivers with top C’s

[jposega]

Fanned frets good, but unless you figure out a string set that'll give you tensions for your E-C that are close to what you get by playing a standard scale bass, you'll end up with really plinky, twangy high strings. That means finding some extra light strings, which might mean needing a plain-steel C to balance well with the rest of the set. If you want fanned and 5 and a Dingwall, get a Super J or Super P.

[cLepto-bass]

Cheers for the input so far. I think this was my general understanding anyway.

 

15 hours ago, jebroad said:

I currently play a 4 string dingwall combustion. I would say dingwall isnt the best route as they focus on longer scales for lower strings. If you’re interested, I’m making some 23.5”-22” scale basses that can be fivers with top C’s

 

Thanks @jebroad are you a bass builder then? If so, I would certainly be interested in discussing this further...