Club F-Bass!!!!

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by Fleo

Must say it's clearity and punch is better/different than my jazz.

We obviously agree. That Fbass tone is favored by players who are fastidious about their tone, including Marcus Miller who I've been told owns one, and played it on one of his albums.

BN5s definitely do have a clarity and punch that is jazz-like, but nicer.

Originally Posted by Fleo

... my BN5 has a bit too much tension on it's strings due to it's 35' inch. This is benefitial for the lows but a hinder in comparision with the natural feel of my boerjes(4) jazz bass.

As others have mentioned, it isn't likely that your BN5 is a 35 inch scale length bass, but is instead 34.5 inches, a half inch longer than your jazz bass.

However, I am sure you HAVE noticed the difference in string tension, given that the whole point of adding the extra half inch is to tighten the strings.

Most players prefer the difference, but one size never fits all.

My advice to you would be to NOT sell your BN5 until you have tried Fbass strings on it.

Fbass strings are specially made for Fbass by La Bella in the following gauges:

B=0.128"
E=0.102"
A=0.085"
D=0.063"
G=0.043"
C=0.029"

Not only are these gauges a bit unusual, but these “exposed core” strings definitely feel looser than the Elixers you mentioned.

Also, because the exposed core wire is what goes over the saddle, the strings rest closer to the bridge pickup, giving the bass better clarity with a stronger fundamental, while giving the bass a much looser feel.

In fact my 3 Fbasses all feel looser with Fbass strings than my 2 Jazz basses feel with regular round wound strings.

As a side note, on my BN5, I like to use round wounds on my E, A, D & G strings, and an exposed core on my B string, but that's just a personal preference.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by barteroo2002

You know I said I deserve a T-Shirt, maybe I should clarify that if I am correct, I wouldn't say no to an F-Bass AC model! I really wouldn't be offended if somebody awarded one to me!? Haha (its always worth a try...)
Scott
X

(Oh, and this is only my second ever TalkBass post!! I really am quite excited!)

Welcome aboard!

By the way, my wife was born and raised not far from you in Bournemouth, as were 4 of our 7 children (the rest were born in Alaska).

You are going to LOVE talkbass.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by thndrstk6

Oh snap!

This is going to bug the shet out of me now.

+1. I'm going to lose sleep too I'm sure.

[barteroo2002]

Originally Posted by Tom7

Welcome aboard!

By the way, my wife was born and raised not far from you in Bournemouth, as were 4 of our 7 children (the rest were born in Alaska).

You are going to LOVE talkbass.

(Look at me - I'm 'replying with quote'!)

Oh man - isn't it a small world!? My best friend is studying Industrial Product Design down in Bournemouth. Its a nice place (especially if you like Pebbled beaches).
I recently saw parts of Alaska in a Stephen Fry documentary - BEAUTIFUL place!
7 children... Thats almost as many Kids as Basses! (I saw your picture of 'the family')
Cheers for the welcome.
You have the BEST F-Bass - that AC6 is stunning.
X

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by puff father

... I am using DR strings on mine because the FBass LaBellas are hard for me to get.

Not only that, but they are hard to find discounted.

When strings cost a lot, it tempts us to leave them on longer. The end result is we become less satisfied with the strings and start to experiment with other makes.

What strings do you guys use on your Fbasses? And if you use Fbass strings, do have a good place to get 'em from?

[Dave Hill]

I remember the old "BN" thread from the Fbass users group. There was some confusion, but I'm pretty sure that BN does indeed mean "Bolt Neck". I'm also pretty sure that AG's Mac Ebony BN5 is with Brandon Wong in Japan.(?).

[J.Wolf]

Originally Posted by Dave Hill

I'm also pretty sure that AG's Mac Ebony BN5 is with Brandon Wong in Japan.(?).

Brandon!! He should open an F museum in Japan, he has some killer pieces.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by funkifiedsoul

Am I the only 4 string slinger on TB with one of these? ('89/90)

Whoa! Not an AC4, but definitely a very cool bass. I'd love to hear it.

I'm only now beginning to acknowledge the tonal differences between 4, 5 and 6 string basses.

Although I usually tell people that the reasons I mostly play 6 string basses because of chords, soloing and harmonics, the truth is I don't play enough and I'm not that good yet. Seeing as it is easier for me to play across the neck than up it, I like to have 6 strings.

However, I'm beginning to appreciate more and more the tonal characteristics of 4 string basses, and for tone reasons, I'm playing my 4s and 5s more these days.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by wolfbass1025

Brandon!! He should open an F museum in Japan, he has some killer pieces.

[Laughing!]

You can sure tell we are all bass players!

We can remember what basses Brandon has better than we can remember where he is from!

He's from Singapore, guys.

But yeah, I'd like to at least see some photos of his current collection. What do ya say, Brandon?

[funkifiedsoul]

Am I the only 4 string slinger on TB with one of these? ('89/90)

(edit: oops sorry for the order mix up, accidently deleted while posting other pics.and reposted.)

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by Dave Hill

I'm pretty sure that BN does indeed mean "Bolt Neck".

I have had this discussion with George, and yes, it does.

[firebass]

Originally Posted by barteroo2002

Does it not mean Bass Nirvana??

Yes, that what George said it meant on the forum. It seems like George may have more than one answer :-)

[puff father]

Originally Posted by funkifiedsoul

Am I the only 4 string slinger on TB with one of these? ('89/90)

Nice!

[Dave Hill]

Definately have not seen too many BNF4s...That one looks SA-WEET. V. nice ceruse on that one too. I hope it gets played A LOT.

[Phillip Jordan]

So which one is it????

George....... Are you out there?????

[J.Wolf]

Killer BN4F. Thats mega sexy

[DonovanBankhead]

Originally Posted by Tom7

What strings do you guys use on your Fbasses? And if you use Fbass strings, do have a good place to get 'em from?

I use F Bass strings on most of my basses, not just my F Basses. And I have an awesome source for them - ME!

Ahh, the benefits of being a dealer. You get your own supply at cost. ;-)

[Tom7]

[Laughing] Yet another reason for me to suck up to you! Get you some coffee, Mr. DKB? Peeled grapes perhaps?

[funkifiedsoul]

Originally Posted by Dave Hill

Definately have not seen too many BNF4s...That one looks SA-WEET. V. nice ceruse on that one too. I hope it gets played A LOT.

It's not a BNF4. It's actually a neck-through. (maybe more rare than I thought). Sorry the lame pic doesn't show that it's 'gold' and black.

[Ace Of Bass]

For those of you with BNs with tops on them......do you find that the top adds compression to the sound, or does it still sound like a BN with no top......?...thanks.....