Club F-Bass!!!! - Page 26

Tom7 · #**502** 06-02-2008, 06:01 PM

The good news is I got my finger ramp for my AC6, and it is made of ebony and is radiused and is beautiful. The bad news is it wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it would be the width of the neck on one end and the width of the pickup on the other.

I'm hoping you guys can give me your opinions.

Below are two photos of my AC6. The first is without the finger ramp and with the thumb rest. The second is (obviously) with the finger ramp.

At first I hated that big black block of wood. I thought it covered up the more beautiful wood underneath, but then I realized it could be that I just got used to how my bass looked.

At any rate, what I want your opinion on is the ramp itself. Is what I got better than what I originally had in mind?

By the way, I don't know why the finish looks different in the photo above the pickup ... the bass doesn't look like that in real life.

And by the way #2, the ramp is just sitting there. I didn't want to screw it in until I KNEW that is what I wanted to do.

funkydanbass · #**503** 06-02-2008, 06:08 PM

I thought most ramps were attached with double sided tape... (Mine is anyway). Easily removed and no lasting effect on the bass. I think the ramp would look better if made with the same wood as the bass.

Yvon · #**504** 06-02-2008, 06:14 PM

The bass look better without the ramp that's for sure.
But the ramp might hep you sound better.

Tslicebass · #**505** 06-02-2008, 06:22 PM

i think it would look fine if the pu cover was ebony as well. but don't worry about how it looks if it feels right.

Tom7 · #**506** 06-02-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkydanbass

I thought most ramps were attached with double sided tape... (Mine is anyway). Easily removed and no lasting effect on the bass.

You are probably right, but I thought that double stick tape DID have a lasting affect on the bass, just a different one than screw on ramps.

First, I thought tape marred the finish over time. Second, I thought the tape's stickiness eventually wore down, causing the ramp to shift and wiggle slightly, scratching and scuffing the finish if it isn't retaped soon.

At any rate, for me, a ramp is as permanent on this bass as the pickups, so it made sense to me to have the ramp screw down like the pickup cover does. I really doubt I'd remove it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkydanbass

I think the ramp would look better if made with the same wood as the bass.

I hear you, and I agree, but I thought it would be too hard to match the wood after the fact.

I DID think about having a transparent one made, like the one on my BN6 (see photo below), but I thought the ebony one would be classier and would match the wood of my fretboard.

puff father · #**507** 06-02-2008, 08:35 PM

My BN5 just turned 2 years old on May 13, '08 but the honeymoon isn't over yet.

I just played out doors tonight with the very set up in this pic and it killed! With a very loud drummer BTW. No problem. The Fbass is so focused and clear sounding. Just a total pleasure to play. Between that and the Thunderfunk...

I love it.

Al

Jerry J · #**508** 06-02-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom7

You are probably right, but I thought that double stick tape DID have a lasting affect on the bass, just a different one than screw on ramps.

First, I thought tape marred the finish over time. Second, I thought the tape's stickiness eventually wore down, causing the ramp to shift and wiggle slightly, scratching and scuffing the finish if it isn't retaped soon.

At any rate, for me, a ramp is as permanent on this bass as the pickups, so it made sense to me to have the ramp screw down like the pickup cover does. I really doubt I'd remove it.

I hear you, and I agree, but I thought it would be too hard to match the wood after the fact.

I DID think about having a transparent one made, like the one on my BN6 (see photo below), but I thought the ebony one would be classier and would match the wood of my fretboard.

To be honest Tom, I prefer the acrylic ramp myself.

I also prefer the double stick tape method if you go with the ebony ramp. That's the way I have it on one of my fretless basses.

puff father · #**509** 06-03-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry J

To be honest Tom, I prefer the acrylic ramp myself.

I also prefer the double stick tape method if you go with the ebony ramp.

+1 I have to agree.

Dave Hill · #**510** 06-03-2008, 03:00 PM

I can't see covering up any of that top with a hunk of ebony, especially with what you paid for it. Gotta go with the clear.

5 years with this one. Still haven't played anything even close.

firebass · #**511** 06-12-2008, 06:04 PM

Tom7,

I certainly wouldn't screw that onto my AC6 unless I was REALLY certain that:

* I wouldn't change my mind in a few years

* it had no effect on the resonance of the top/chambers

* I wasn't going to sell it in the future

How about attaching it via a clip or something in the truss rod adjustment cavity? Just a thought.

Tom7 · #**512** 06-14-2008, 05:16 PM

I'm obviously not getting any votes to screw on my ebony ramp.

If I use double stick tape to try it out, will it mar the finish if I take the ramp off?

Does anyone have any experience with pulling off taped on ramps, particularly with an F Bass and George's nitro cellulose finish?

What I thought I was ordering was a block of ebony that was radiused and would look like an extension of the ebony fingerboard all the way to the magnetic pickup.

I must say, though, the more I look at that photo, the more I get used to the look of the ebony. :-( I play much better with the ramp, so I'm itching to put it on, if only with tape.

Meanwhile, I'll price what an acrylic finger ramp will cost.

Ironically, I wanted ebony because I wanted WOOD not plastic on this very nice bass. Now it sounds like the plastic will make the bass look nicer.

Thanks for your feedback, guys.

yansdgr · #**513** 06-14-2008, 09:24 PM

here my new bnf5 i loove it love the sound but need a little tune up :P alain caron all the way :P
i jsute bought it at archambault in montreal thats great and feel great the preamp si nice realy easy to get a nice sound but not easy to work whit a boss gt6-b but when u go your sound it sounds amazing.....realy proud to be a member of f-bass club :P ......maybe a bn6....for sure :P

icorn25 · #**514** 07-11-2008, 08:05 PM

I have a quick question. Do any of you know how He accents the grain in his swamp ash bodies like this:

firebass · #**515** 07-11-2008, 08:09 PM

I seem to remember that it's a trade secret...

**Mark Wilson** · #**516** 07-11-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom7

The good news is I got my finger ramp for my AC6, and it is made of ebony and is radiused and is beautiful. The bad news is it wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it would be the width of the neck on one end and the width of the pickup on the other.

I'm hoping you guys can give me your opinions.

Below are two photos of my AC6. The first is without the finger ramp and with the thumb rest. The second is (obviously) with the finger ramp.

At first I hated that big black block of wood. I thought it covered up the more beautiful wood underneath, but then I realized it could be that I just got used to how my bass looked.

At any rate, what I want your opinion on is the ramp itself. Is what I got better than what I originally had in mind?

By the way, I don't know why the finish looks different in the photo above the pickup ... the bass doesn't look like that in real life.

And by the way #2, the ramp is just sitting there. I didn't want to screw it in until I KNEW that is what I wanted to do.

Oh Man!!!
YOU bought that bass?!?! i'm jealous...

firebass · #**517** 07-11-2008, 08:41 PM

Here's my Redwood AC5.

I have an AC6 too, but I don't have any decent photos of it at hand...

**Mark Wilson** · #**518** 07-11-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebass

Here's my Redwood AC5.

I have an AC6 too, but I don't have any decent photos of it at hand...

GOOD GOD.
This thread is killing me.

icorn25 · #**519** 07-11-2008, 08:57 PM

Or ya here is a better one

How does he do it

DonovanBankhead · #**520** 07-12-2008, 12:53 AM

My understanding is that there is a black stain that gets "pushed" into the grain that enhances the natural contract. The wood isn't naturally that dark, it's the stain that he enhances it with. It's all done by hand.

I have a translucent white with black enhanced grain on order, and a black and white ceruse (black body with white "enhanced" grain). I'm sure they will look SICK.