How are fanned frets measured?
When looking for a fanned frets guitar, you are given the scale length for the lowest string and the highest string. The scale length on the lowest string is 27.2″ and the scale length on the highest string is 25.5″.
Are fanned frets more ergonomic?
Ergonomics. “But what about playing the thing…, is it really comfortable to play those fanned fret guitars?” you might ask. Yes, it is actually more ergonomic than playing a standard single scale instrument! Look down at your hand and spread your fingers as wide as you can.
Is it hard to play fanned frets?
Does playing a fanned-fret instrument take a long time to learn? No. The most difficult to learn is the fretless because that requires having a trained ear to get the most accurate notes since you have no frets to “fall back on”, so to speak.
What scale length is most common with a multi-scale guitar?
25.5″
Most conventional 6-string electric guitars today use a 25.5″/648 mm scale length (e.g. Fender Strat) whereas some use 24.75″/629 mm (e.g. Gibson Les Paul) or a happy medium of 25″/635 mm (Paul Reed Smith).
What is scale length on an electric guitar?
The scale length of a guitar is, in common parlance, the distance from the nut to the saddle, and, more precisely, the distance from the nut to the 12th fret multiplied by two (don’t miss our post on measuring scale length if you need to take this measurement on your own guitar).
Who invented fanned frets?
John Starrett
Fanned frets first appeared on the 16th-century Orpharion, a variant of the cittern, tuned like a lute. John Starrett revived the idea in the late seventies on his innovative instrument, the Starrboard.
What is the advantage of a multi scale guitar?
Proponents of this style of guitar claim such benefits as comfort, better ergonomics, better intonation, and better control of the tension of the strings across the fretboard.
Why do some basses have angled frets?
That’s called a multiscale bass (or fanned-fret). The reason is this: it evens out the string tension across the instrument. A single-scale instrument has quite a bit less string tension on the lower strings, which makes them less stable in pitch and a bit unfocused and dull sounding.
How does scale length affect playability?
Scale length can have a significant effect on playability. All factors being equal (string gauge, string length beyond the nut and saddle, break angles, and so on), shorter scales produce lower string tension, are more elastic, easier to fret, and require less arm extension.
Does scale length affect fret distance?
Yes! The distance between each fret will become greater as scale length increases. Although you most likely won’t notice a huge difference between guitars with a smaller variation in scale length, going from a guitar with a short scale length, to one with a much longer scale can feel like night and day.