Novax did not invent the multi-scale instrument concept. Look up "Orpharion Lute" and see what you find:
Novax did, however, convince the U.S. patent office to award him a patent for the idea. Some builders licensed the technology for some time until either the patent expired or people realized that you could either find information about the instrument above, or look at any grand piano to argue against it.
The fanned fret arrangement provides more ideal scale lengths per string, assuming that you're tuning your guitar in standard tuning. The timbre of each string improves inversely with fundamental pitch vs. scale length. Imagine if each string on the grand piano had the same scale length: the only solution to such overbearing tension as the notes rise in pitch is to use successively thinner strings, and doing so eventually would kill your string's tone. The multi-scale approach therefore provides less tension as fundamental pitch rises so you can use thicker strings, and have "easier playability". I find fanned fret guitars to be playable if the fan is not too extreme. They can actually be very comfortable to play, almost enjoyably so. I notice in certain neck positions that the tone of the note is better. Where I find it foreign is in bending strings in extreme positions. The direction is "wrong", just because I'm not accustomed to it. You should try one and see what you think.
This PS is beautifully appointed, and I thought they nailed the finish. I've never seen anything like it. Two-tone spalty matte split by metallic black??? It's F@C%ING GENIU$.
