Club F-Bass (Part II)

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by rabster

Thanks for another great clip Donavan, that bass looks and sounds great. The VF5 clips from before were also very helpful. I can't wait for my VF to be finished! Cheers.

dan- the soon to be fbass club member.

+1 Donovan.

You guys have been kind to me for my work in reviving Club Fbass, but seriously, Donovan's Youtube clips are a HUGE part of our club's resurgence...

Along with Vic's gear reviews...

And Thndrstk6's mind-blowing mockups.

And the contributions of all you guys really. These factors all came on around the same time, and THAT'S what has breathed new life into our club.

The cherry on top though, is George Furlanetto's occasional postings in person.

At any rate, thanks so much guys for your contributions.

I used to only hang 'round talkbass when I was researching a potential purchase, but you guys have me coming back to this forum again and again.

Cheers!

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by GRoberts

We can see where this is going can't we? Hey Tom, ..when's your birthday? If memory serves, your wife enjoys treating you on holidays and such.

That's true, she has done that in the past but those days are gone for the foreseeable future. We've seen about 35 percent of our net worth vanish in less than a year in this recession, plus unexpected house and medical expenses. We're facing a new reality at least for awhile, so WINDOW shopping is the only shopping I should be doing these days! BTW, email sent.

[Dave Hill]

That Mac F sounds and looks awesome. Again, for me, the BN5 is just the perfect mix of vintage and modern. Also, the string to string balance these basses have is evident on Donovan's clips...what a B. I have been SO content with mine for the past 6 years.

[paulvienneau]

Ladies, gents,
New to the group. I bought a red F in 1993 from my hospital bed in Toronto, for $1800CAN, second hand. It's been across the country with me many many times and is my dream tone bass. It's a 2 pickup model (with the p-style pickups). It's in this here video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhJbT0oBMsM
I also bought a new AC 6 string fretless in about 1994, natural finish (which is checked like crazy and paper thin), and sounds like a peach. I'll post some photos here soon of them.
If you go to FaceBook and check my profile photo, I have the red bass on my lap, from a recording session a couple days ago.
Hope everyone is well.
Paul

[thndrstk6]

Very nice!

[paulvienneau]

In case George checks here,
"Hi George!" <waving>
When I bought my fretless George was very cool, let me play everything in the store. Everytime I would bring the basses by for a check up he's grab my gig bags and have them up on the table before I had my jacket off.
Now *that's* customer service!
Hope you're well George. I moved back east in 2001. I still play my red 6 string every day. It's my favourite bass of all time.
Paul

[puff father]

Originally Posted by paulvienneau

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhJbT0oBMsM

Nice job! That passive 6 sounds terrific and Ian is a wonderful G**tar player!

Al

[paulvienneau]

Thanks Al! I think part of this is in my head, but I find my bass sounds like and feels like a big fat-necked P-bass, which of course is a brand which shall go nameless!
It could be because the pickups are P-style, but when I switch between my 1969 P-bass and my F, it's a seamless transition. I think I've just been blessed to find 2 basses that I really connect with.
I don't think I'm a great virtuoso, but after 30 years of playing bass I have "my thing", and my F bass really let's it come out.

And personally I find active pickups get in the way of this, for me. I absolutely love VictorW and MarcusM, so I don't begrudge others their active electronics. In fact I would love a preamp pedal for that sound as an occasional option.

Thanks for taking a look at my video. I have the whole show here, but I need to edit it into individual tracks.

Paul

[J.Wolf]

Hey all! So I've had the AC5 for about a week, and I am glad to say that I'm more than satisfied! This bass has such a stunning combination of effortless playability, resonance, and sustain, along with incredible tonal range and diversity. It really exceeds my expectations, and they were pretty darn high to begin with.

For some reason its easier to play in tune than any lined fretless I've every played, its like my fingers just naturally gravitate towards the correct intonation point. Whatever the deal is, that bass is just on. I think I've gotten some studio work already just from a few people hearing the tones coming out of the bass. Can't wait to hear how it tracks.

The finish is gorgeous! I really wanted a violin satin but the red is really amazing, and it looks awesome on stage. I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the finish, the bass is a few years old and feels like its been carefully loved, but the satin shows how delicate and susceptible to wear it is. This bass inspires me to start taking better care of my gear.

Overall, amazing..

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by puff father

Nice job! That passive 6 sounds terrific and Ian is a wonderful G**tar player!

Al

+1, loved the video. Al, I love how you bleeped the "G" word, like it is a naughty word or something, hilarious.

I'm looking forward to the photos, Paul. In fact, I couldn't wait, so I went to Facebook to take a look.

I've got your club member number set aside... looking forward to seeing the photos!

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by wolfbass1025

Hey all! So I've had the AC5 for about a week, and I am glad to say that I'm more than satisfied! This bass has such a stunning combination of effortless playability, resonance, and sustain, along with incredible tonal range and diversity. It really exceeds my expectations, and they were pretty darn high to begin with.

For some reason its easier to play in tune than any lined fretless I've every played, its like my fingers just naturally gravitate towards the correct intonation point. Whatever the deal is, that bass is just on. I think I've gotten some studio work already just from a few people hearing the tones coming out of the bass. Can't wait to hear how it tracks.

The finish is gorgeous! I really wanted a violin satin but the red is really amazing, and it looks awesome on stage. I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the finish, the bass is a few years old and feels like its been carefully loved, but the satin shows how delicate and susceptible to wear it is. This bass inspires me to start taking better care of my gear.

Overall, amazing..

Great photo, Jake.

I wish I had your good fortune when I bought my AC6. I already owned 3 other fretless basses, 2 lined and 1 unlined, but I had such a hard time playing my AC6 in tune that I started to panic that I wouldn't ever get it. Then one day it started working for me and I'm not sure why, but phew!

I know another guy in Texas who says he gets gigs, both live and recording, because of his Fbass AC6's tone. I know the guys I play with LOVE my AC6's tone, and request it for certain songs.

As for bass TLC, I keep a towel with each bass I own and wipe them down every time I play them. Also, I never leave them in vehicles a minute longer than I have to. I sing them to sleep each night... okay, maybe I don't do that, but my oldest Fbass is a 2004 that (thankfully) doesn't have a flaw about it still.

I know others have had bad experiences with the finish, but so far I'm doing well. My only complaint is a guy who grabbed up my bass while I was out of the room and chipped the back of my BN6 with his belt buckle.

Anyway, I think your red AC5 looks great, and not like many other AC5s which makes me like it more.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by paulvienneau

Ladies, gents,
New to the group. I bought a red F in 1993 from my hospital bed in Toronto, for $1800CAN, second hand. It's been across the country with me many many times and is my dream tone bass. It's a 2 pickup model (with the p-style pickups). It's in this here video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhJbT0oBMsM
I also bought a new AC 6 string fretless in about 1994, natural finish (which is checked like crazy and paper thin), and sounds like a peach. I'll post some photos here soon of them.
If you go to FaceBook and check my profile photo, I have the red bass on my lap, from a recording session a couple days ago.
Hope everyone is well.
Paul

I'm a fan. Nice rendition, nice solo, and of course, nice bass.

[-Timothy-]

Is the roasted maple offered from George similar to what John Suhr offer which called Vulcan Maple.

A type of neck wood named as Vulcan Maple. According to John, Vulcan maple is a new process to maple that prevents any form of moisture from entering into the wood. The maple is cooked in an oxygen free environment at 700-800 degrees. So, with a change in humidity, season, temperature, or even if you spill a drink on your guitar, your neck will be as stable as can be.

Please take a look at the link below to view what the Vulcan maple looks like. It looks similar to rosewood or Pau Ferro after the process, and feels just like a normal maple neck. Tonally the wood is more resonant and vibrant.

http://gallery.me.com/suhrguitars#101077

[paulvienneau]

If I've done this correctly, you should be seeing me recording with my late-80s 6-string, passive FBass. I've call him the "Red Headed Stranger" and "Mr Furly", at different times.

[George Furlanet]

Originally Posted by paulvienneau

If I've done this correctly, you should be seeing me recording with my late-80s 6-string, passive FBass. I've call him the "Red Headed Stranger" and "Mr Furly", at different times.

Hey Paul
Glad to see/hear from you and that the basses are still working for you.
Nice playing BTW.

[paulvienneau]

Over the years I've had soundmen on gigs and in the studio, and random musicians from the audience ask me what it was. I hand it to them and let them feel how great this red bass feels. I don't know if you meant it to be like a P-bass on steroids, but it really feels and sounds like it to me: all the best parts of my 68 P-bass with the added range and absolutely beautiful neck profile.
I haven't had my fretless played for awhile. I need the LaBella strings, but I always end up a little short for cash whenever I think about ordering some. I really should do that soon. I did a session this weekend and could have used it. In fact, I used both my basses, but mostly my fretless on Carlos del Junco's "Big Boy" cd. If you can embed audio here, I may have to try that.
Thanks for commenting George. Next time I make it to Toronto I'll come by. I would love to have your version of a P-bass in a 6-string with sunburst.
Juicy!
Paul

[J.Wolf]

Originally Posted by Tom7

Great photo, Jake.

As for bass TLC, I keep a towel with each bass I own and wipe them down every time I play them. Also, I never leave them in vehicles a minute longer than I have to. I sing them to sleep each night... okay, maybe I don't do that, but my oldest Fbass is a 2004 that (thankfully) doesn't have a flaw about it still.

I know others have had bad experiences with the finish, but so far I'm doing well. My only complaint is a guy who grabbed up my bass while I was out of the room and chipped the back of my BN6 with his belt buckle.

Thanks Tom- For clarification, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, I think the finish formula changed in the last couple of years, and that makes me think your redwood AC6 has a new/improved gloss finish. I believe my BN6 and this used AC5 were both done with the old finish.

George, can you set me straight? Did you update the the satin and the gloss finish, or just the gloss? When did this happen effectively? I'm just curious for future reference. Thanks!

Jake

p.s. George- All the years of waiting and lusting after an AC finally paid off. What an exquisite fretless. Wow

[puff father]

Originally Posted by wolfbass1025

Except for that extra string on that BN that is an amazing pair of basses! My dream pair actually.

Dave Hill's BNF5 is the only fretless F I have played and I fell in love. My intonation wasn't always the best up high on the fretboard but at my band's practice I was easily able to play all the songs we did and my mates loved the sound of it! His bass is the all black "stealth look" BNF5. Incredible!

Al

PS: Paul V, get a hold of dkb for Fbass strings! He is da man!

Al

[paulvienneau]

Who be dkb? Woozit?

[DonovanBankhead]

I be dkb!