I hope you'll enjoy this video about fan fret guitars! It features an amazing instrument by my friends at Casimi Guitars. I’d be interested to know your thoughts about fan frets in general!
@danielibnzАй бұрын
Thanks
@danielibnzАй бұрын
Great analysis and considerations on the "Fan Fret Guitar” Thanks for sharing
@MichaelWattsАй бұрын
@@danielibnz thank you!
@ericaltman53854 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing! I personly love Fan Fret and also this amazing Casimi!
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Eric Altman I’m glad you enjoyed the video Eric! It is a superb guitar.
@Mandrypusique3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant playing!
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
@eatswodo4 жыл бұрын
I have an Emerald fan-fret - and it's a 7-string, to boot. This is an off-the-shelf X20-7 model, so I really didn't have a chance to evaluate any aspect of the fan-frettery before it arrived. Suffice it to say that the extra string has caused me *way* more head-scratching than the fan frets. After playing it for the last 10 months or so, I'm completely at home with the geometry - so much so, that I'd use it as a reference for any future forays. I do like the notion of a fan-fret for my favourite (and habitual) open D tuning. And that Cassimi is just gorgeous, as is your playing. Lovely video - both musical and useful!
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
David Eastwood Thanks for watching David! I’m looking forward to trying an Emerald guitar for the first time, I have heard good things! I’ve only played electric 7-strings and that gave me vertigo... I’m very glad you enjoyed the video and yes, Casimi guitars are very special indeed!
@dr_lulz4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Michael. I very much enjoyed this video! Glad to see you thriving. I’ve got Rosie’s first (and best😜) (TGM) Multiscale. It was my first venture into fan fret ownership and I have to say I would not go back!... in fact it will take some time for me to move forward, I’m happy to just be right where I am when I have that beauty in my arms! You’re insight however is as enjoyable as always. Best wishes.
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Dr Lulz oh you have that guitar! Congratulations! Thank you for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
@Bernd_Boeckmann4 жыл бұрын
Very informative again, Michael! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Bernd Boeckmann You’re very welcome Bernd! Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
@paulboden78504 жыл бұрын
On point and enlightening. Seeing that Casimi reminded me of your amazing trip to South Africa. Must re-watch that video. Thankyou Michael!
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Paul Boden Thank you for watching Paul! I hope you enjoy the Casimi episode of Luthier Stories just as much the second time round!
@stevepethel6843 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful playing on point considerations ff and beautiful guitar too. Thanking you And for all good gifts like this video thanking the father above...
@everestwitman4 жыл бұрын
Yes, finally the fan fret video! You've brought up some great points that I honestly would not have thought of. Keep up the good work, Michael.
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Everest Witman my pleasure Everest!
@geolsohn57114 жыл бұрын
Sort of this contents are very helpful! Your idea is amazing! Thanks, Mike!
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Geol Sohn You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching!
@Frankensmile4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for a great video Michael. I really like the concept of fanned fret instruments and in particular my Greenfield G1. The only negative aspect of the fanned fret concept, which I think is not often mentioned is the ergonomics. The hand position on the lower register (frets 4 up) simply doesn’t agree with human anatomy. I think it was George Lowden who said that the hand position is natural for playing in that area by simply holding his hand in a fanned shape in front of the guitar neck. But, obviously the hand is not in that position while playing. So as you said, if you have arthritis or difficulty to bend your wrist or spread your fingers then the concept will take your attention away from the music and make playing a struggle.
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Farhad Tajarobi Thanks for watching Farhad! I have to agree, in DADGAD I find fan frets can be a bit cumbersome. Even more so in standard tuning - F at the first position is no fun! So much depends on the tuning you use and the chord and arpeggio shapes.
@greekflatpicker4 жыл бұрын
4:00 ‘The Messiah will come again’ by Roy Buchanan. Lovely! Make a video playing that tune,Michael. Love your style,attitude,and videos !
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
greekflatpicker Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it and yes, Roy Buchanan is a huge influence - I arranged that track for solo guitar and it’s on my debut album Vetiver
@smauclement4 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for sharing the fruitful information in an easy way.
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
smauclement You’re very welcome! Thank you for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
@cigarfan38424 жыл бұрын
Have been curious about fanfrets for quite some time. Appreciate the info. Who knows, maybe this will just energize me to look into another commission. Love the beard BTW. Good on ya!
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
cigarfan great time hear from you my friend! Glad you enjoyed the video and yeah, go on, order a fanfret!
@Artorias001 Жыл бұрын
I love my fanned fretted acoustic. Personally it feels more ergonomic than straight frets. Having a shorter scale length on the high side makes it possible to have a high g string, and alternate tunings string tension feel more balanced.
@MichaelWatts Жыл бұрын
That’s a very good point! I’m glad you love your guitar!
@joebubbit4 жыл бұрын
Love it (Roy Buchanan on a Fan Fret)!
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for listening!
@ben_jammin2423 жыл бұрын
Bending that harmonic, you legend.
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
Ha ha! Had to be done!
@douglasfan24 жыл бұрын
I'm lucky enough to have a leviora fan fret CF guitar, I would say the sound is really attractive, even in standard tuning
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Douglas Fan very nice! I think one of the major issues I’ve found with FF’s in standard has been chord shapes, 1st position barre in particular. But it’s all good!
@douglasfan24 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts However, most of my friends feel scary when looking at the fan fret fretboard. They even don't want to have a try 😂
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Douglas Fan I know the feeling of Fan Fret vertigo all too well!
@papasmamas14 жыл бұрын
Still wishing to play one of this...
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Diego Funes thanks for watching Diego, I hope you’ll get the chance soon!
@kevincrites81422 ай бұрын
After you mentioned don ross I knew I should subscribe lol
@MichaelWatts2 ай бұрын
@@kevincrites8142 Thank you Kevin! Don is an old mate, lovely dude
@pasinomariamocellin68943 жыл бұрын
Dear Mr Wwatts, since I discovered your youtube channel my knowledge of the guitar has improoved in a significant way. I must thank you as you are a great communicator, you are always smiling (this is something imposrtant even though people gave up smiling) and you are very clear and understandable when you explain things. I want to say that it's a pleasure watching your videos, but I have a complain, your microphon distorts the low ends in a way that is preponderant to the other notes so that we can't admire your exquisite playing and the tonal qualities of the instrument. I understand that, as the great Sergiu Celibidache said, music must be listened from his natura source and not from magnetic tapes or even worst by digital devices. Nevertheless it would be desireable to cancel that low end distortion on your video. With many thanks for sharing you art and knowledge. Pasino
@bobylachanche2 жыл бұрын
nice guitar!!!!
@viociarnau1670Ай бұрын
Ok, l’d like to order one, exactly like this one- same materials, same wood and fanned fret- oh yeah, my favorite things on any acoustic guitar…! How much should l expect to pay for it, and where, what web to go to, to start ordering one? Any help please? Thank you.
@773Spair2 жыл бұрын
I think 25.5-27" would be good for a 6-string in E standard, which would mean using a bit thinner 4th through 6th strings; and, for some who are on the fence about a plain vs. wound G3 string would convince them a plain G3 would be better. I want a 7-string acoustic tuned G4-D2 with a 2" spread (or maybe a bit more), but I'm not sure what the longest scale length I can get the G4 string to feel like a .011" string tuned to E4 over a 25.5" scale is. Tuning a string to G4 with that tension may require a considerably short scale length.
@MichaelWatts2 жыл бұрын
Yeah... better talk to a luthier with a very detailed idea of the music and sound that you're looking to make before committing to such an extreme fan
@773Spair2 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts Except for bends on the 23rd and 24th fret, my 25.5-28.2" 8-string electric guitar handles pretty well. Thank you for replying. 😊
@leslee94063 жыл бұрын
Do you have any other full length audio on this guitar bro? I would want to hear more
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
I feature it in my video about African Blackwood but that’s it for that instrument. However I do have quite a lot of Casimi content on my channel!
@richardmondor13602 жыл бұрын
Who's guitar are you playing here? Its gorgeous.
@MichaelWatts2 жыл бұрын
It’s a Casimi made in South Africa that I borrowed from a friend. I am having my own Casimi guitar made at the moment and you can watch the build diary here on my channel. I’m glad you like it, they are very special instruments!
@richardmondor13602 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts thank you for the info...it looks and sounds gorgeous.
@johnlind58193 жыл бұрын
Michael, great KZbin channel! Can you (or some commenters) give some ideas of how the fan fret concept might impact (positive and negative) playability and tone quality for a Baritone Guitar? Thanks, John Gig Harbor, WA
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
Hello John! Thank you very much for your kind words, I'm glad you are enjoying my videos! A Fan-fret approach with a Baritone certainly makes sense if you're looking to preserve the articulate bass of a longer scale with the sweet trebles of a shorter (by baritone standards) scale. That said, Baritone guitars are a bit of a handful (literally!) anyway so a lot depends on what you're used to. I hope that helps!
@christianr.88853 жыл бұрын
Is chording on fanned fret make it easy?
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
Hola Christian! So much depends on the chord shapes and positions you use, string gauge, neck width and depth and the angle of the fan. Then there’s your hand size and flexibility to take into account. Some people find fan frets easier to play - I am not one of them
@evalonious3 жыл бұрын
Back the truck up. What was the name of that fanned fret instrument that you said at the beginning of the video and how do you spell it. Ofarian? Otharian Afarion? I could quite spell it correctly to find in google search.
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
It’s an Orpharion - I hope that helps!
@leslee94063 жыл бұрын
what a beautiful instrument with such articulative sound that i have ever heard?? can you strum them??
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Les, I’m glad you enjoyed the video! You can certainly strum a Casimi guitar and it will sound amazing!
@mrchankwokkeungmrchankwokk95414 жыл бұрын
Hi Michael , can you tell me what guitar are you using ? thank you very much
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Hi! The guitar in this video is a C3 fanfret by Casimi Guitars in South Africa - you can see more about them in other videos on my channel
@Theincrediblespud Жыл бұрын
What make and model is that gorgeous guitar?
@MichaelWatts Жыл бұрын
Hi Tom - it’s a C3 signature model by Casimi Guitars in Cape Town South Africa - this incredible instrument belongs to a friend of mine but they are making a guitar for me at the moment and I look forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime you can find a build diary here on my channel.
@Theincrediblespud Жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts I look forward to watching it. Just looked, and the prices for these beautiful guitars are astronomical!!!
@bobylachanche2 жыл бұрын
Hi, can tell me the length scale of the1 and 6 th strings of your amazing guitar please ?
@MichaelWatts2 жыл бұрын
Nope
@bobylachanche2 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts lol why ?
@douglasfan24 жыл бұрын
How about a fan fret archtop guitar? Anything different need to be considered comparing with Acoustic fan fret guitar?
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Very good question! I’ve thought about this and I believe the same general principles still apply. You may want to look at chord shapes and right hand position in depth.
@douglasfan24 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts Cause in Archtop guitar, we usually solo pick and will not detune as usual as acoustic guitar (or just my case?). Furthermore, we usually have shorter scale length in archtop for the thick tone. But fan fret increase the length of bass, will it be opposite to the design of archtop guitar? All of them will be added in the calculation when applying in an archtop guitar?
@johncorneliustalosig89074 жыл бұрын
do a fan fret guitar good for fingerstyle?
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
I think most acoustic guitarists using fan frets are fingerstyle players, it's pretty rare to see a flat-picker on a fan fret.
@johncorneliustalosig89074 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts ok thanks for the info?
@gianfrancoviola98684 жыл бұрын
Wait, isn’t that guitar a tad TOO cute??
@MichaelWatts4 жыл бұрын
Gianfranco Viola I think it’s just perfect as it is...
@TavisAllen3 жыл бұрын
"...with wide, expressive vibrato, or big bends, I tend to feel a bit more friction and drag from the fret itself..." - then proceeds to perform precisely one 1/2 step bend lower on the fretboard, and uses what I would consider subtle vibrato. Argh! The guitar is gorgeous, as is your playing, and the points discussed are vital, but it (obviously) irks me when musicians (or KZbinrs in general) don't more fully demonstrate what they are talking about--especially since you did with the slapped harmonics. Argh! (meant with love)
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
Well everyone’s different, but even with less extreme motion I can feel the slight drag.
@TavisAllen3 жыл бұрын
@@MichaelWatts I don't doubt it. My nitpicking came about from watching a video of someone demonstrating a 5-string bass, and not once did the B string get played.
@henrycross8776 Жыл бұрын
There are ZERO secrets about fan fret guitars, and even Stradivari had a 1st Violin
@BucketofGuts6463 жыл бұрын
So what's your favorite fan fret set up?
@MichaelWatts3 жыл бұрын
12 frets to the north, parallel fret on the 6th and as gentle a fan as possible. I don’t use wildly differing gauges of string or massive drop tunings.