The new Ibanez Quest models are offered in two frets types; Standard (Q) & Slanted (QX). Note that slanted is the correct reference for the QX, not fanned frets. Let's look at the RGD neck & Q necks in the pics above. The RGD (top) sports a fanned fret; frets are tilted both in the clockwise & anti-clockwise directions hence forming the fan pattern. The Q (bottom) neck, on the other hand, is only tilted one way so technically, these are slanted, not fanned. Based on this understanding, fanned frets will give rise to two scale lengths on the same neck as depicted above; the bass side will observe a longer scale length while the treble side remains standard.
Why did Ibanez go the slanted way? An immediate answer to this is, nobody out there is offering this feature (correct as at time of product release). If both sides are of the same scale length, why bother, you ask. Ibanez is addressing finger comfort. Frets are tilted this way to conform to the player's finger direction during play. At the very least it gives rise to a more economic / dynamic finger movement, depending in your style of play. I reserve agreements to this claim until I try one in person. In any case, it's a smart commercial move by the manufacturer in offering this feature.
Pics: Ibanez
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