Multi-scale fingerboard
Encyclopedia
A Multi-scale fingerboard is an instrument fretboard which incorporates multiple scale lengths
. The scale length (often simply but confusingly called the scale) is the vibrating length of the strings.
Guitar
s and Basses
generally employ a single scale length for all of the instrument's strings, though the employed scale length varies significantly from maker to maker (electric guitar scale typically falls between 24" and 25.5"). This measure is the effective length of each of the vibrating strings, not counting compensation for adjusting intonation.
A multi-scale fingerboard or fretboard typically employs two scales, but could potentially incorporate more. The most typical use is one (long) scale length for the low string and a different, usually shorter, scale for the highest string. This could be achieved by angling the nut, and bridge, and fanning the frets.
The potential advantage is that one can obtain the power, especially in the bass, of a long scale, along with the sweetness and lack of twang of the shorter scale. For example, comparing the Martin D-28 with the Gibson J-45
, the Martin has more power, the Gibson is sweeter.
The Bandora is a late 16th century instrument with a longer string length for its bass strings than for its trebles. It is depicted in Praetorius
' music dictionary Syntagma Musicum published in 1619.
The concept of the Multiscale fingerboard goes back to at least 1900, when the first patent for such a fingerboard was filed by E. A. Edgren. (Patent #652-353, E. A. Edgren)
In his 1900 patent Edgren describes in his claims:
“… a musical instrument the combination with a sounding body or box, of the following instrumentalities, to wit: a neck approximately in the form of a double convex in cross section...
…”a plurality of frets secured to said neck, said frets being positioned at an angle one to the other so that the first and last frets incline in opposite directions...
“...it will be noted that the bottom flange of the head C runs at an angle so that one side of the neck B will be longer than the side opposite. The frets diverge, running from the center outward, so that the lower frets extend slightly in a direction opposite to the upper frets.” This patent is no longer in force. When it was, it affected only instruments with a curved fingerboard, such as most steel-string guitars.
Possibly the first modern multiscale fretboard was used on an instrument called a StarrBoard
, invented by John D. Starrett in 1977. Starrett developed a tapping instrument that employs a matrix of halftones, fretted horizontally with strings spaced vertically, to allow one fingering to cover all scales. Because of the large range of notes from low B below E on a bass, to high B four octaves above, however, he needed a way to have a long scale for the low B, but a shorter scale for the high B. He simply laid out the two scales he thought would work and connected the dots.
In 1989 Ralph Novak
patented an arrangement of frets he calls “fanned frets,” denoting "a series of straight frets aligned in a non-parallel pattern," and "each of said frets extending along a straight line" and "with said plurality of strings substantially converging to a point." This patent has expired. Novak also has a copyright on the use of the term “fanned frets.” (Patent #4,852,450, Novak)
Scale (string instruments)
In stringed instruments, the scale length is the maximum vibrating length of the strings to produce sound. In the classical community, it may be called simply "string length" or less often "mensure." On instruments in which strings are not "stopped" or divided in length like for example the...
. The scale length (often simply but confusingly called the scale) is the vibrating length of the strings.
Guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s and Basses
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
generally employ a single scale length for all of the instrument's strings, though the employed scale length varies significantly from maker to maker (electric guitar scale typically falls between 24" and 25.5"). This measure is the effective length of each of the vibrating strings, not counting compensation for adjusting intonation.
A multi-scale fingerboard or fretboard typically employs two scales, but could potentially incorporate more. The most typical use is one (long) scale length for the low string and a different, usually shorter, scale for the highest string. This could be achieved by angling the nut, and bridge, and fanning the frets.
The potential advantage is that one can obtain the power, especially in the bass, of a long scale, along with the sweetness and lack of twang of the shorter scale. For example, comparing the Martin D-28 with the Gibson J-45
Gibson J-45
The Gibson J-45 is an acoustic guitar model manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. It is part of Gibson's round-shoulder, dreadnought acoustic "jumbo" line, begun in 1934 with the Gibson Jumbo Flattop which was to compete with C.F. Martin & Company's "D" line.The J-45 is generally regarded...
, the Martin has more power, the Gibson is sweeter.
History
Praetorius
Praetorius, Prätorius, Prætorius was the name of several musicians and scholars in Germany.In Germany of the 16th and 17th centuries it became a fashion that educated people named "Schulze" or "Schultheiß" or "Richter", which means "judge", put their name into the Latin language as "Praetorius",...
' music dictionary Syntagma Musicum published in 1619.
The concept of the Multiscale fingerboard goes back to at least 1900, when the first patent for such a fingerboard was filed by E. A. Edgren. (Patent #652-353, E. A. Edgren)
In his 1900 patent Edgren describes in his claims:
“… a musical instrument the combination with a sounding body or box, of the following instrumentalities, to wit: a neck approximately in the form of a double convex in cross section...
…”a plurality of frets secured to said neck, said frets being positioned at an angle one to the other so that the first and last frets incline in opposite directions...
“...it will be noted that the bottom flange of the head C runs at an angle so that one side of the neck B will be longer than the side opposite. The frets diverge, running from the center outward, so that the lower frets extend slightly in a direction opposite to the upper frets.” This patent is no longer in force. When it was, it affected only instruments with a curved fingerboard, such as most steel-string guitars.
Possibly the first modern multiscale fretboard was used on an instrument called a StarrBoard
StarrBoard
The StarrBoard is a stringed musical instrument invented by John D. Starrett and patented on July 23, 1985.It is a tapping instrument similar in concept to the Chapman Stick except that it is played on a stand rather than worn on the body. Another difference is that it is played with fingers...
, invented by John D. Starrett in 1977. Starrett developed a tapping instrument that employs a matrix of halftones, fretted horizontally with strings spaced vertically, to allow one fingering to cover all scales. Because of the large range of notes from low B below E on a bass, to high B four octaves above, however, he needed a way to have a long scale for the low B, but a shorter scale for the high B. He simply laid out the two scales he thought would work and connected the dots.
In 1989 Ralph Novak
Novax Guitars
Novax Guitars is a guitar manufacturing company founded by Ralph Novak. His instruments feature frets which are not perpendicular to the instrument's neck , but rather fan out at various angles to allow for more comfortable, ergonomic playing and for proper intonation.Charlie Hunter, an acclaimed...
patented an arrangement of frets he calls “fanned frets,” denoting "a series of straight frets aligned in a non-parallel pattern," and "each of said frets extending along a straight line" and "with said plurality of strings substantially converging to a point." This patent has expired. Novak also has a copyright on the use of the term “fanned frets.” (Patent #4,852,450, Novak)
See also
- Bandora (instrument);
- OrpharionOrpharionThe orpharion or opherion is a plucked instrument from the Renaissance. It is part of the cittern family. Its construction is similar to the larger bandora. The metal strings are tuned like a lute and are plucked with the fingers. Therefore, the orpharion can be used instead of a lute...
, another early modern instrument, similar to the bandora; - Charlie HunterCharlie Hunterfor the New Zealand racehorse trainer and driver see: Charlie HunterCharlie Hunter is an American guitarist, composer and bandleader....
, an American jazz guitarist who has performed and recorded with a “fanned-fretted,” eight-string electric guitar built by Ralph Novak; - Jean Baudin of the band Nuclear RabbitNuclear RabbitNuclear Rabbit is a California band, started in Novato. The band's music has been called metal, more specifically "avant-garde" metal, but incorporates a variety of other styles, making classification difficult. Known for its unusual sound and lyrics, as well as bassist Jean Baudin's 11-string bass...
plays nine and eleven string bass guitars which feature fanned frets; - Brahms guitarBrahms guitarCommonly referred to as the Cello-Guitar, the Brahms guitar was invented in 1994 by classical guitarist Paul Galbraith in conjunction with the luthier David Rubio. It was originally conceived in order to perform Johannes Brahms' Theme and Variations Opus 21a.The instrument is an eight string...
, an eight-string classical guitar with slanted frets, originally developed by guitarist Paul GalbraithPaul GalbraithPaul Galbraith is a Scottish-born classical guitarist known for his unique style of playing.-Biography:Paul Galbraith had his first guitar lessons with Graham Wade, continuing his studies with Gordon Crosskey at the Chethams School for Young Musicians.At the age of 17, Galbraith won the Silver...
and luthier David RubioDavid RubioDavid Rubio, , 1934 - died Cambridge on 21 October 2000) was an English maker of stringed musical instruments. His creations included guitars, lutes, harpsichords, theorbos, vihuelas, citterns, panduras, and finally also violins, violas and cellos...
. - Neon (song)Neon (song)"Neon" is a song performed by John Mayer and written by Mayer and his former songwriting partner Clay Cook. The two wrote the song while they were known as LoFi Masters...
, a song by blues-rock artist John MayerJohn MayerJohn Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
.
External links
- United States Patent Office
- A calculator to calculate fret locations for a multiscale fretboard can be found on the Calculating Fret Positions page of the Liutaio Mottola Lutherie Information Website.