FS: Gorgeous Fbass BN6 - custom woods (ash/bubinga/maple/rosewood)

pocketmonster · #1 01-31-2011, 08:40 PM

Hey TBers... I haven't sold anything for a while, but it's time. I love this bass - most comfortable six I have tried - but I just do not have time to master a six string right now. I bought it here last year, and the condition is identical to when it I purchased it from the original owner. Here is the link to his thread with great pictures.

FS/FT: F Bass BN6 - Custom Bass

Plays beautifully, no issues whatsoever. This is a dream bass with amazing woods and a very nice tone. You would expect nothing less from Mr. F. Asking a reasonble $3600, as custom features add up fast on an Fbass. Shipping to US-48 included. Other destinations add actual cost above $50. No trades.

Price reduced to $3500... offers "close enough" will be considered.

Bass is gone... thread closed.

Jerry J · #2 01-31-2011, 09:06 PM

This has to be my second favorite BN6. With mine being my first favorite.

I really feel that George Furlinetto builds the absolute BEST 6 string bass. I've not played one that felt better and played easier. And I just love the tone...I often marvel at how good my BN6 sounds.

You really should post the photos here. I'm sure that speyer won't mind if you use his.

pocketmonster · #3 01-31-2011, 11:36 PM

I would encourage everyone to read the other thread. He was the original owner and just adores the bass, as you can tell from his language. He has all the right details and beautiful pics. I wasn't sure I could add anything above and beyond.

Yes, a BN6 plays like no other. It is really the only six I ever picked up that I felt wasn't too much of a handful. I also own a BN5 and a VF5, so I am an F fanatic. The VF5 (alder/rosewood) has become my #1 lately.

AztecViking · #4 02-01-2011, 12:06 AM

I just saw Alain Caron perform live and he had two of these. One fretless and one fretted. I'd sure like one but it's out of my price range.

jbay · #5 02-01-2011, 12:11 AM

Not to mention FBass prices have just gone up, so getting a new one would cost significantly more. Free bump for a beautiful F.

pocketmonster · #6 02-01-2011, 09:11 AM

Per a question in pm, this bass is 24 fret.

Tom7 · #7 02-02-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry J

... I really feel that George Furlinetto builds the absolute BEST 6 string bass. I've not played one that felt better and played easier. And I just love the tone...I often marvel at how good my BN6 sounds....

+1.

There are a lot of great bass makers out there, and while there are 4 or 5 really top notch builders of 5 string basses, I truly think George Furlenetto's 6 string Fbasses are the best.

As Leo's 4-string Fenders became the industry standard, so did building basses with a 34 inch scale length.

When 5 string basses started gaining in popularity, many makers increased the sale length to 35 inches to tighten the B string.

Of course lengthening the bass tightens ALL the strings, not just the B string...

So if your bass happens to also have a C string, like most 6 string basses do, the 35 inch scale length results a tinny and artificial sounding C string.

Enter George Furlanetto.

George, caring more about tone than scale lengths in round inches, built his 6ers at 34.5 inches. That is the sweet spot for 6 string basses: strong Bs, sweet Cs.

Tone, tone, tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cBcL0iaW04

pocketmonster · #8 02-02-2011, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the plug, Tom. Since someone asked, the string spacing at the bridge is 18mm. I personally think that is ideal for a six, though I prefer 19mm on fours and fives. Scale is the usual 34.5" as Tom notes above.

Vakmere · #9 02-02-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom7

+1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cBcL0iaW04

The bass in the youtube clip was modified. I olny see 3 of the 6 knobs which makes me wonder if theres an OBP2 wwith a toggle in there. Nice sound for smooth jazz anyway.

jbay · #10 02-03-2011, 01:20 AM

Or just passive.

pocketmonster · #11 02-03-2011, 09:31 AM

A quick comment on tone... I don't think comparing to any other basses or videos is highly relevant. Woods and tops make quite a bit of difference. This BN6 is very even from bottom to top. The highs are *very* sweet and pure, lows through mids firm. The main thing with this bass is that I find the bubinga top adds a touch of compression. It makes for a consistent tone (dynamically and in upper frequency response) that in some ways I prefer to my BN5. The tone is moderately "open" but not the most open I have heard... maybe not the perfect bass for soloing, but it is sure ideal for live combo work or sitting in any sort of mix.

VroomVroom · #12 02-03-2011, 11:52 AM

Here's a bump, and a pic...for folks like me who are generally too lazy to open another thread.

What a gorgeous bass. Wow. With a blank palette I'm not sure I could imagine better specs or prettier wood. I would love to hear this instrument!

F Basses are wonderful - I still have many positive memories of the balance and playability of my old sixer. All the best with the transaction.

pocketmonster · #13 02-03-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

F Basses are wonderful - I still have many positive memories of the balance and playability of my old sixer.

Thanks for the bump. I have not played EVERY bass on the planet, but I've played most of the common ones and owned probably half of those.

I think F Bass is it. The cream of the crop, the best there is. Tone, intonation, balance, scale length, fit and finish, preamp, neck contour, beauty of the various finishes, and especially ergonomics. (My #2 choice and also outstanding in every way is MTD. The main difference is that I give the nod to the F Bass preamp for tone and flexibility.)

Tom7 · #14 02-03-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vakmere

The bass in the youtube clip was modified. I olny see 3 of the 6 knobs which makes me wonder if theres an OBP2 wwith a toggle in there. Nice sound for smooth jazz anyway.

Actually, it wasn't modified. It is passive. There is no preamp in that bass, so there is no bass, mid, and treble boost control knobs.

That makes the clip even more impressive. The Fbass preamp is famous for its transparency, so with our without the pre, you are hearing unaltered, un tampered with, pure F tone.

Tom7 · #15 02-03-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketmonster

...
A quick comment on tone... I don't think comparing to any other basses or videos is highly relevant. Woods and tops make quite a bit of difference.

I partially agree.

Woods, tops and even how aged the bass is all affect the tone a great deal to be sure, here is where we agree.

But since no audio or video clips have been provided, I thought letting people hear the same model of bass, and giving it a bump in the process, would be a worthwhile public service. It gives them a general character of the bass, letting people know in a GENERAL way what it is, that it isn't Ken Smithy in tone for example.

After all, at the very least people should enjoy the song.

pocketmonster · #16 02-03-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom7

But since no audio or video clips have been provided, I thought letting people hear the same model of bass, and giving it a bump in the process, would be a worthwhile public service. It gives them a general character of the bass, letting people know in a GENERAL way what it is, that it isn't Ken Smithy in tone for example.

I would never bash the F Bass club president.

I replied mainly to share what I think the prominent tonal qualities of this particular bass might be. As an example, I owned two 535s at the same time and they sounded night and day different because of the body wood. I found that one resonated just right in the rooms I usually play in, and the other just wouldn't dial in. It was boomy and scooped, and I just couldn't EQ that out. The best thing about TB is being able to buy gear, try it in real rooms and real gigs, then resell it for roughly the same price. Shipping = rent.

Vakmere · #17 02-05-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom7

Actually, it wasn't modified. It is passive. There is no preamp in that bass, so there is no bass, mid, and treble boost control knobs.

That makes the clip even more impressive. The Fbass preamp is famous for its transparency, so with our without the pre, you are hearing unaltered, un tampered with, pure F tone.

Ahh, then that expalins it. Its in the fingers and EQ plus the players experience.

pocketmonster · #18 02-05-2011, 05:42 PM

Saturday bump

olegsulimov · #19 02-05-2011, 10:10 PM

How I wish it were much cheaper!

Tom7 · #20 02-06-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketmonster

I would never bash the F Bass club president.

I replied mainly to share what I think the prominent tonal qualities of this particular bass might be. As an example, I owned two 535s at the same time and they sounded night and day different because of the body wood. I found that one resonated just right in the rooms I usually play in, and the other just wouldn't dial in. It was boomy and scooped, and I just couldn't EQ that out. The best thing about TB is being able to buy gear, try it in real rooms and real gigs, then resell it for roughly the same price. Shipping = rent.

Oh no! I didn't take what you wrote as a bash, so hopefully my bit didn't come off as defensive.

Whenever an F comes up for sale, I just like to drop some audio or video links in to help...

However, I think you are right. Especially in this case, my clip was no real help because the finger board woods are completely different and yours has that gorgeous gorgeous top. I tend to believe tops on 6ers affect the tone more than on 4s and 5s just because of the area covered, so yes, you are right: my clip was of little use to perspective buyers.

I probably would have done you more good by pointing people to an Alain clip, seeing as he has an ebony finger board as well. Then again, he has split pickups....

BTW, this has long been my favorite BN6 in terms of looks, and if it were 19 mm in string spacing, I'd be lobbying my wife hard to allow me an "emergency" purchase.

I LOVE this bass!