Dr. Jabsco Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Anyone here ever build a faned fret neck? Ive heard they are much more comfortable to play, and they dont seem like a whole lot of extra work. but my main question is on intonation, forsomthing like that how do you calculate the bridge position? measure the scale length from the nut like you would normaly do, and just kinnda give the bridge an according tilt. im thinkin of doing this on my bass to be. does it seem a little hard for a first time fret job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truerussian558 Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 i beleive they use those one string bridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sindlei Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 http://www.rustycooley.com/equipment.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Each string has its own scale length. You might be able set them up with single nut and bridge but both would have to be custom made for the strings to run off at an angle , just make sure the scale lengths line up. Something I just might tackle for my next build. heres a little tutorial I found a while back. http://www.doolinguitars.com/articles/novax/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metallisomething Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 and a fanned fret system means what exatcly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 http://www.novaxguitars.com/Pages/generalinfo_frame.html I have a fanned fret neck on my "Texas Tele". It's *very* comfortable to play, but takes a few runs up and down the board when you switch over from standard frets. I'm sure a more professional player would have an easier time....like Rusty. The two scale lengths on my Tele are: Low E: 25.5" High E: 24.75" Novax has bridges, bodies, necks and entire guitars available. They also license their system (I think it's $75 per neck....something like that). It's a cool setup, and definitely different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litchfield Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truerussian558 Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 do you still have to pay licensing if its for non copmercial use (i.e. a one ofo guitar for yourself) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 The answer is "Yes". I was interested in the system and wrote to the company, getting some VERY nice replies from the marketing manager (name escapes me right now). In a nutshell, the conversation covered: -You can't get a discounted or free license just because it's for personal use; the main reason for this is that the licenses ARE their business. Most fanned-fret necks are made third-party after purchasing the license. -However, you DO get one-on-one conversations with the man himself, as part of the licensing fee -They prefer "one-string" bridges/saddles (ie. each string has its own separate mini-bridge, dunno the technical term) not only for the ease of intonating and setting up, but because there is less string "cross-talk" that way for clearer articulation; however, normal bridges should work if care is taken. There was more, but I can't remember offhand. The guy seemed more interested in 'spreading the word' of the system rather than making a profit. Many of his suggestions were made that would have resulted in NO PROFIT for his company whatsoever! That kind of candid response was appreciated, and I respect the company even more now. There are a couple of older threads on the subject if you do a search that contain some good information, including many theories on accomplishing it without a license (it's a really basic theory...) and opinions on its feel/response. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeli Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 How could they know if a person (like me) from the other side of the world made a fanned fret guitar? Do you guys think they could sew me if they found out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a bicycle made of anarchy Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 dunno if they could sew you, but they sure could knit you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren wilson Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 I think the $75 license fee is extremely reasonable, considering you get access to the man himself, to help with any issues that may arise. I think it's also important to recognize and support the "little guy" who's innovating and moving the instrument forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Pic? Did you totally miss these THREE links? http://www.rustycooley.com/equipment.htmlhttp://www.doolinguitars.com/articles/novax/http://www.novaxguitars.com/Pages/generalinfo_frame.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bammbamm Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 From Novax site: Ralph Novak was awarded U.S. patent 4,852,450 for the innovative Fanned-Fret® design. Novax® is making the Fanned-Fret® system available to luthiers through our licensing program. Our licensing fee is $75.00, US for a single instrument paid in advance of construction. Production runs of 10 instruments or more are licensed at $55.00 per instrument. Instruments built outside of the U.S. do not require licensing unless they are sold in the U.S. Bamm BTW, hi all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_M Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Stringed instruments with different scale lengths for each string have existed long before Novax's patent, and I'm fairly certain it is possible to make multi-scale fretboard instruments that work and look much like the Fanned Fret system without infringing on the patent. There was a long and heated discussion about this on the MIMForum but I can't find it now. A multi-scale 5-string bass was also recently posted over there, and it supposedly does not rely on the Fanned Fret concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mleichtl Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 I read somewhere that a guy in Australia tried to take advantage of a flaw in their patent system and patent the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truerussian558 Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 How could they know if a person (like me) from the other side of the world made a fanned fret guitar? Do you guys think they could sew me if they found out? it wont matter because the licensincg fee is only required for people in the U.S. so if you live in a different country, unless you are selling it in the U.S. then a licensing fee is not required, but you dont get their technicall support Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 No way would anybody try to sue you for using it on your own guitar. The only time they even COULD sue is if you had it as a selling point for a commercial guitar. And if you're planning on selling the guitar, you'd roll the $75 into the cost price of the guitar and pay the good chap! A lawsuit would have to prove that you co-opted the design for personal gain, or that your using the fanned fret system damages his company's ability to make a profit. (and "he's out the $75 profit from the license I didn't pay for!" doesn't count) Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Jabsco Posted August 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 WOW, thanks for all the info guys. Ill be a busy beaver tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litchfield Posted August 14, 2004 Report Share Posted August 14, 2004 Pic? Did you totally miss these THREE links? http://www.rustycooley.com/equipment.htmlhttp://www.doolinguitars.com/articles/novax/http://www.novaxguitars.com/Pages/generalinfo_frame.html I meant of your texas tele. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefm Posted August 14, 2004 Report Share Posted August 14, 2004 Well....they could probably file a frivolous suit over a rediculously small amount of money....it wouldn't be worth it....but if they were cranky enough it could happen.... actually there's some weird eccentric milloinare that since he hasn't much else to do and has the resources to be stubbourn that is keeping someone tied up in legal trouble....I wish I could remember the specifics....it's one of those "why would anyone bother" type deals...a really funny read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Jabsco Posted August 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2004 yah, i decided to do a multi scale, becaue i dont have the 70 bucks. And i can only do a fannd fret if they send me info about the fret measurments (which by they way i cant find ANYWHERE) cant wait to get started on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sindlei Posted August 14, 2004 Report Share Posted August 14, 2004 don't quote me, but couldn't you mark out the fret spacings using pencil dots for the 25.5" scale on the low side of the fretboard, then mark it out on the high side for 24.75" scale, then just connect the dots, cut, fret, and you're done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Jabsco Posted August 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2004 That is what i plan on doing, but the fanned fret system is a little bit different. The frets 'fan' as oppose to just being different scales. Well, thats how it looks from pictures ive seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sindlei Posted August 14, 2004 Report Share Posted August 14, 2004 the fanning would be automatic, as i see it, you want the first fret wire to be straight, so you angle the nut to compensate for it, then go from there, and the frets should fan out like you say, because of the same ratio, with a different overall length, i'm not 100% sure, but this sounds right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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