Fanned Fret basses. Legit or BS?

I've always been drawn to strange and innovative new basses - the ones that come loaded with every bell and whistle imaginable!

With their multi-scale design you might think that Dingwall's fanned-fret basses are just another on-stage gimmick, but it's a system that's being embraced by a host of top-name players including Adam 'Nolly' Getgood, Jacob Umansky, Duran Duran's John Taylor and session ace Lee Sklar.

In today's video, I'm going to break down everything I love (and don't love) about fanned-frets, and tell you exactly how YOU can win the Dingwall NG3 I'm playing in this video!

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

===

GET MORE BASS TIPS 👇
_________________________________________________________________

ABOUT SCOTT’S BASS LESSONS (SBL)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the largest online bass education platform in the world, with an ever-expanding course library and 40,000+ active members, Scott’s Bass Lessons (SBL) has everything you need to master the bass, all in one place.

Featuring beginner level bass lessons, engaging courses from expert instructors, step-by-step development curricula, direct feedback on your playing, real-time mentorship from A-list bassists and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, SBL is the perfect platform to uplevel your bass playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level bassist.

RECOMMENDED BASS PLAYLIST
-------------------------------------------------------------
Catch up with SBL Content you’ve missed:
#bassguitarlessons #bassforbeginners #easybasslines

LINKS
--------------
Tune in to our Weekly Podcast:
Explore our FREE courses:
Try our FREE GrooveTrainer App:

[devinebass]

PLEASE READ - It's come to our attention that there are some commenters on our videos who are trying to scam our subscribers in relation to giveaways. None of these comments are official or from us. We will never reach out to contest winners via the comments of a social media channel. We're doing our best to remove the comments and flag the accounts in question.

[fredrikghazarian]

For me, I really like the higher tension in the lower strings. I feel like it makes them less “clunky”

[Pktattooss]

The string tension and the ease of the left hand, especially in the lower registers makes playing more comfortable. It even has an aesthetic edge over a standard neck.

[LDXReal]

I cant believe that as a guitar player for a year and a half, I ended up watching a bass video and finally understood how fanned frets work 💀 the more you know 🙏🏾

[Mindlesseuphoria]

If you put the capo on from the D (G) string side of the neck, you can leave the low B un-capo-ed and still have access to the extra lows

[npunk]

I love my NG3-6. Getting a great tone is easy, the extra tension on the B string allows for thinner strings which sound and play great too.

[musikmaan]

I walked in to a shop about 10 years ago to get some bass strings. They had a couple Dingwalls on the wall and I had wanted to play one for years so of course I gave it a go. I ended up buying the strings… with a Dingwall attached to them 😁

[pgmorrow]

Only the Lee Sklar model has mandolin frets. All the other Dingwall models have banjo frets. (The website now calls them "acoustic" size.)

[travisnorman]

Fanned frets got a big vote of confidence from me when I saw your video where Leland Sklar talks about using them.

[noahfreeman]

I’m a woodworker in my free time and looking to build a 5 string bass soon, and after seeing Rufus Mann (literally yesterday) I got convinced, so I’m going to be building a fanned fret P Bass soon!

[alihaggis]

Built myself a fan fret 4 string a few years back. I did it mainly it of curiosity to just to see what it would be like. Oh my word, Incredible! It felt so natural from from the second I first played it. The tighter E string and looser G works really well too and gives a really nice feel and sound.

[nunofernandes]

"A Dingwall took my baby." - Meryl Streep

[orstrings]

I’ve tuned a 4-string B-E-A-D and a 5-string E-A-D-G-C. I also like tuning my 5-string down a whole step to A-D-G-C-F, which is probably my favorite. This is on my multiscale basses, so the low string sounds great and retains tension.

[Dusty]

I own an Dingwall ng and I didn’t even notice the fan fretts because of how comfortable it was and so so resonant

[professorweedington]

I don't know if anyone else has this problem but Scott I need the blend of the bass DI to be louder than your mic so I don't just hear fret buzz noises!!

[garrettlowell]

Thanks for the tuning suggestion. I am going to give that a try.

[Francog]

I own the NG3 5 string in that exact colour, Forrest green. I can say without a doubt it is the nicest bass I’ve ever put my hands on, even with the fodera and f basses that were in the store didn’t feel any better playing. I truly believe they are the best value you can buy with your money even though they are still expensive. They play like a $7000 bass, it really comes down to how much you like the tone and the fan frets. I personally feel the fanned frets offer better tone, better string tension when de-tuning and the best sounding b-string in the business. It’s impossible to hear how much better a fanned b-string sounds after playing a regular on another bass unless it’s from a premium builder. I couldn’t be happier with the purchase.

[paulwebendorfer]

OMG, that battery cover is brilliant!

[dctbass]

In or around 1990, I re-strung my Jimmy Moon 4 string custom with B, E, A, D stringing. Loved it and used it that way for around 20 years playing original material. When I joined a band playing mostly covers, I got a 5 string to give me the G string back.

[itieknots]

For 4 strings, I don't think it matters a lot... but I love it for 5 string. I've been playing Dingwalls since 2012, and a 37" B is great.