Club F-Bass!!!!

[basses55]

Originally Posted by Dave Hill

I'm hearing "four string", "four string". Scared what the $$$ would be though.

Dave, from my discussions with George, this line will be his 4 string model too. Makes alot of sense for this direction.

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by basses55

Hey everyone......I just wanted to add a few things to what's been said so far for people who may be interested:
Blocks with binding together will also be an option.
The bridge is brass...I think its the same or very similar to the one Carey uses. This bridge will most prob be used for the rosewood/60's model..while the exact bridge to used on the maple/70's model is still up in the air- depending on test results after they start coming together in the next while before NAMM.
The necks will be a little sleeker all around than the current BN5 more than likely too. Really nice to play with my small hands!
Also, I agreed about the knobs so plain black ones (either metal or plastic- not quite sure) are being hunted down In addition, the pickguard and knob placement looks like it may be "slightly" streamlined from the posted pic (that is one of only two completed so far).
I'm excited also! George has done a great job on this one.

Cheers,
Mitch

The knob placement looks like it puts a Volume knob right in the middle of the two PU's which seems a bit too far forward. I would also recommend a side mounted input jack if there will still be six knobs. That would allow the knob placement to be pushed further back. It would be more balanced in my opinion.

[puff father]

Very nice. Gets the Jazz vibe but with it's own identity. Now..., how to deal with those knobs. Looks like too many on that body style, but how can you loose the Fbass preamp? Six knobs are the only thing that's not gorgeous on that thing!

[Dave Hill]

Concentric knobs? V/V, Pass Tone, B/T, and Mid would get it down to 4, then jack on bottom. I don't know if conc. knobs effect tone at all, though. Looks like I got from now to about March to be really nice to my old lady.

[basses55]

Ya...all pretty good ideas I think..but the problem as I understand it is that its also a real hassle to redesign the pre configuration for this one model when its being manufactured/used for all Fs. In order to slightly streamline it from the pic you see he already had to alter the standard pre. I'm not saying it is or is not worth it, I just dont know how far George is willing to go for it. I thought if he had to keep it the way it is ( for me only I'm not THAT bothered by the knobs) I thought maybe black knobs on a black guard..or black knobs generally MAY decrease your attention from all the silver.

BTW...I forgot if it was mentioned by anyone else but there is a passive model too coming out..with its own pickguard and knob layout . Its going to be one in the first batch coming out before NAMM so as they come out I can post pics here so you can compare. I think the price of the new VF5 will be same or similar to the current BN5- both with pre.....and the passive will be cheaper by whatever the amount is for the pre.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by Roscoe5

This just in!
(Yes, I asked George Furlanetto if I could share this)

Presenting at Winter NAMM

F Bass Vintage F-5
34" Scale
dots on fretboard
Ash or alder bodies
Maple fretboard
Slab maple one piece neck
F Bass preamp
String spacing at bridge: 19mm (3/4")
Nut width: 44mm

Finishes: Natural (natural grain), Black or Sunburst, nitrocellulose lacquer

Pickup positioning: Choice of 60s or 70s

Pickguards: Tortoise shell/mint/black/mint (when available)
: Black/white/black
: White/black/white

TOO BAD I've already sold all my basses to buy my current BN6

Ive been looking at vintage styled boutique basses recently, as a practical alternative to giging with my prized custom BN6. THIS thing looks AMAZING!! IMHO... forget Sadowsky's n' such... I'm gonna start saving up RIGHT NOW.

When do you figure it's okay to start bugging George to make one of these for me? So stoked

Mark my words... I'll be one of the first few to own one of these bad boys!!

edit

With these specs:

VF5 - One piece Ash, Natural oil finish
Rosewood fretboard- no dots
Black hardware/pickguard
18mm string spacing

[Dave Hill]

Originally Posted by basses55

Ya...all pretty good ideas I think..but the problem as I understand it is that its also a real hassle to redesign the pre configuration for this one model when its being manufactured/used for all Fs. In order to slightly streamline it from the pic you see he already had to alter the standard pre. I'm not saying it is or is not worth it, I just dont know how far George is willing to go for it. I thought if he had to keep it the way it is ( for me only I'm not THAT bothered by the knobs) I thought maybe black knobs on a black guard..or black knobs generally MAY decrease your attention from all the silver.

Ah yes, the woes of "mass" produciton, when the designer and the engineer face off...I forgot for a minute that the pots were right on the board of the preamp. Can't switch to flying leads? The look of the knobs seem important to quite a few people, around here anyway (not specifically on the new VF5). Regardless, I think George will probably do really well with these. Very cool looking. I'm sure the tone and playability won't suck either.

[Gilsonite]

Here's a close up that George had sent to me awhile back, I have to find the others of the back and control cavity.

Originally Posted by Roscoe5

This just in!
(Yes, I asked George Furlanetto if I could share this)

Presenting at Winter NAMM

F Bass Vintage F-5
34" Scale
dots on fretboard
Ash or alder bodies
Maple fretboard
Slab maple one piece neck
F Bass preamp
String spacing at bridge: 19mm (3/4")
Nut width: 44mm

Finishes: Natural (natural grain), Black or Sunburst, nitrocellulose lacquer

Pickup positioning: Choice of 60s or 70s

Pickguards: Tortoise shell/mint/black/mint (when available)
: Black/white/black
: White/black/white

[T. Brookins]

This is the bass (only the best sounding F I've ever played)that was on the old site with pictures from when it was just a chunk of wood!

One lucky Ebay-er will love this!

Does anyone remember this beauty?

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by T. Brookins

This is the bass (only the best sounding F I've ever played)that was on the old site with pictures from when it was just a chunk of wood!

One lucky Ebay-er will love this!

Does anyone remember this beauty?

Wow, that bass is awfully similar to the BN5 that I reviewed for Bass Guitar Magazine. Great bass, if it's anything like its 'brother'!

[Quadzilla]

Tom,

So you have a "soft link" (weblink) to your review?

Fred

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by Quadzilla

Tom,

So you have a "soft link" (weblink) to your review?

Fred

Sorry, Fred. I don't think that either the magazine or F Bass ever put one up.

Tom.

[basses55]

Originally Posted by T. Brookins

This is the bass (only the best sounding F I've ever played)that was on the old site with pictures from when it was just a chunk of wood!

One lucky Ebay-er will love this!

Does anyone remember this beauty?

Is that Adrian's old bass?
It was a nice one too.

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by basses55

Is that Adrian's old bass?
It was a nice one too.

Yes, that is Adrian Garcia's old Buckeye F Bass. Awesome bass!

[FbassDave]

Here's mine:

Bought without playing it and no regrets whatsoever. Exceeded every expectation!

[curt basner]

Hey guys, long time since I've been here.

A question for you F bassers. I still have the original strings on my BN5, and I'm wondering what strings you may have put on yours. I am primarily a guitar player, so I don't have much experience with bass strings. I am probably all wet with this comment, but it seems like the BN5 needs special strings based on length? I have a set of Snake Oil strings (4 strings, no 5th string yet) for my Fender Jazz, and those strings look like they won't 'fit' the BN5.

Any thoughts on good strings, both for tone and 'fit', for my fabulous BN5?

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by curt basner

Hey guys, long time since I've been here.

A question for you F bassers. I still have the original strings on my BN5, and I'm wondering what strings you may have put on yours. I am primarily a guitar player, so I don't have much experience with bass strings. I am probably all wet with this comment, but it seems like the BN5 needs special strings based on length? I have a set of Snake Oil strings (4 strings, no 5th string yet) for my Fender Jazz, and those strings look like they won't 'fit' the BN5.

Any thoughts on good strings, both for tone and 'fit', for my fabulous BN5?

Many, including me have tried a variety of other string brands on the F Bass. Most have determined that the Standard String that F Basses use sound best. They are La Bella Super Steps. I have never found them locally, and always ordered them online. I get them direct from F Bass. He makes a custom Gauge set that are perfect for the BN5. They have an exposed core over the bridge saddle. So if you use another brand that do not have exposed cores, you'll probably wind up with higher action and need to make adjustments to bring it back down.

I personally find that the F Bass custom gauge La Bella Super Steps last a long time and feel great. To Order, go to www.fbass.com and get the contact info. I just call F Bass, give them my card and they show up in about 7 days. Gary

[choad42]

Originally Posted by Roscoe5

Many, including me have tried a variety of other string brands on the F Bass. Most have determined that the Standard String that F Basses use sound best. They are La Bella Super Steps. I have never found them locally, and always ordered them online. I get them direct from F Bass. He makes a custom Gauge set that are perfect for the BN5. They have an exposed core over the bridge saddle. So if you use another brand that do not have exposed cores, you'll probably wind up with higher action and need to make adjustments to bring it back down.

I personally find that the F Bass custom gauge La Bella Super Steps last a long time and feel great. To Order, go to www.fbass.com and get the contact info. I just call F Bass, give them my card and they show up in about 7 days. Gary

+1 Gary is spot on! I actually just removed a set of "soon to be totally dead" F bass LaBellas from my BN5 and instead of just getting some more F bass LaBellas, I went to the local music shop and bought some D'Addario XLs and I completely regret it. I plan on stocking up on F bass LaBellas again very soon. Needless to say I won't stray again.

Cheers,
Paul Theriault
Bassjones
http://www.myspace.com/paultheriault

[curt basner]

Thanks, guys. Looking at the way the strings taper to the core when going over the bridge, I was pretty concerned about how the action would be affected if I put a set of strings without the taper. I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world, and that I could adjust the bridge to account for the added string height, but the bass is just where I want it now....I hate messing with stuff when it's already ideal!

[adrian garcia]

Curt, our local Sam Ash used to have the La Bellas for $15, but they may have gotten hip to that. It's worth a try, but I will agree with the guys, George's strings suit the F bass the best by far, IMO.