Club F-bass (Part VIII)

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Tom7

CLUB F-BASS ROSTER (post 2 of 2 - the 100s)...

So nobody gets to be "100"?

[George Furlanet]

Originally Posted by pocketmonster

I was hesitant to post this review, seeing how it is for a one-of-a-kind F Bass, but in the end I figure everyone is probably interested to know how the design worked out. I ended up trading Donovan another F Bass for the black bass he asked George to build with the MM pickup and J neck pickup (both Nordstrand).

On receiving the bass, I put it through its paces in my studio. The sounds all seemed good but not particularly special. The playability was very good, and the neck is definitely thicker and chunkier than my VF5. I noticed before even plugging it in that the sustain and punch of the notes are stronger. The lower notes actually shook my rib cage through direct vibration. I will attribute some of that to the ash/maple design vs. the alder/rosewood of my VF5, but I think the thicker neck has a lot to do with it as well. (It came with DR Marcus Millers, btw.)

I have now played the bass out twice. It was in the mix of a live performance that I began to appreciate it. The J pickup is warm and pure, not muddy (or at least inarticulate), as I normally think of neck pups. I have used the J soloed in several songs that needed either a nice pedal-like sound or a smooth, melodic lead bass sort of vibe. The J is actually a humbucker with silent coil, so it does solo without noise. On the flip side, the MM pickup just goes places a J bridge pup wouldn't dare. It really captures the snarl and rudeness of a proper vintage stingray, and it just chews up a mix and spits it out. Soloing the MM guarantees you will be heard, not in a room shaking way - unless you dial up the active bass EQ - but in a "punch a hole right through the mix with grinding, biting mids and treble" way. The passive tone knob is good for taming the beast a bit, and rolling both pups together also produces a really nice all around sound... call it a pillow with rough edges...

I have found that soloing the J and then rolling on the MM to the right amount of edge is nice. Soloing the MM and then rounding/fattening it with the J is also useful. I haven't even explored the MM split or passive mode to this point. And, honestly, the need to add any EQ boost just hasn't been there. I think I've dialed the lows up on the MM pup a couple times, but otherwise just running flat.

My band is used to seeing me with lots of different gear, but they commented on how incredibly good this bass sounds. I explained the design to the sound guy, who has lots of experience running pro gigs, and he gave really good feedback after yesterday's performances. He said all the sounds were good and useful, and he emphasized that the MM sound was just a snarly, mean mofo of a bass... in a good way, of course.

In summary, this bass isn't going anywhere. It's the only thing I've owned that could be called a Swiss Army Bass where all the blades on it are actually useful. Evidently George isn't planning on building more of these, but perhaps he should consider it based on these results... I mean, having a stingray vibe with F Bass ergonomics and fit and finish is a pretty special thing. Add some J flexibility in the tones, and it is an obvious winner.

Nicely detailed review pocket monster.
I will make these as a "custom order/direct sale" only through the "custom shop order form" on the website.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by George Furlanet

Nicely detailed review pocket monster.
I will make these as a "custom order/direct sale" only through the "custom shop order form" on the website.

That's good to know.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by Vic

So nobody gets to be "100"?

[Chuckle]

The problem is I handle numbers with the auto number feature from the button bar above the text entry field. That's fine, in fact preferred, until you have to break the list in two.

Initially I was reluctant to start numbering manually because when someone sold their F, renumbering everyone after them in the list would be such a hassle. However, we get lifetime club membership now with the purchase of an Fbass, so renumbering isn't an issue anymore, so I guess I'll have to manually number everything after 99, or which ever number I break the list up at.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by funkydanbass

Hey Vic,

Regarding the Bassmute:

Ellio actually advises against using the screws and is making his next batch of mutes without the screw holes. The double sided tape does the job!

I wouldn't be drilling into my Fodera either!

I meant to comment on this topic in the last thread...

I'd be reluctant to install this mute -- even with double sided tape -- on my AC6-Classic.

The distinguishing feature on the AC-Classic basses is the "floating bridge," a bridge that is set over a chamber inside the bass.

Because the top is a huge part of the tone of an AC-Classic, installing a finger ramp was discouraged, and I'm guessing a fixed mute system would be too.

Fortunately though, the bridge has a very organic decay, so I've never felt a need to put a mute on this bass.

I would, however, definitely consider this mute for my Barker upright and appreciate the discussion here.

[Tom7]

You know, every time we have a new thread and close an old one, if feels like we lose people, doesn't it?

Anyway, searching for a better photo somewhere, here are my main players with 6 Fbasses featured:

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Tom7

[Chuckle]

The problem is...

Yeah, I know, I already figured all that out, but I couldn't resist bustin' yer chops anyway.

Thing is, like you also said, the original numbering problem has been solved anyway, and also this way, you don't have to remember "this #1 is really #101 because of the comment above the list" kinda' stuff.

Luv ya Tom, but yer makin' it harder than it needs to be.

Keep it simple... that's my motto.

[jbo]

subbed



one day, I will have an F-bass to post in here....

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by jbo

subbed

one day, I will have an F-bass to post in here....

Don't forget to subscribe everyone!

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by Vic

Yeah, I know, I already figured all that out, but I couldn't resist bustin' yer chops anyway.

Thing is, like you also said, the original numbering problem has been solved anyway, and also this way, you don't have to remember "this #1 is really #101 because of the comment above the list" kinda' stuff.

Luv ya Tom, but yer makin' it harder than it needs to be.

Keep it simple... that's my motto.

It WAS simple! All I had to do was press enter at the end of the list and type in the new guy's stuff! Now I actually have to keep track of numbers!

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Tom7

It WAS simple! All I had to do was press enter at the end of the list and type in the new guy's stuff! Now I actually have to keep track of numbers!

Actually, not really. In my method the last number is listed right there in the text above the name you're adding. Easy.

BUT, do what works best for ya... I was mainly just razzin' ya anyway, and you know these clubs don't really mean much in the grand scheme of things, so it's no biggie.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by Vic

Actually, not really. In my method the last number is listed right there in the text above the name you're adding. Easy.

BUT, do what works best for ya... I was mainly just razzin' ya anyway, and you know these clubs don't really mean much in the grand scheme of things, so it's no biggie.

Anyway, here is a bass that definitely makes me rethink my "no more black basses" policy. YEOW!



That ebony finger board with that finish and tort guard REALLY looks great!

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by George Furlanet

Nicely detailed review pocket monster.
I will make these as a "custom order/direct sale" only through the "custom shop order form" on the website.

I was surprised to read that the neck was a bit chunkier on the MM model than other VF5s. Is that true? If so, is it a nod to the MM tone?

[Tom7]

Just testing something:
KJung - VF5,

[Tom7]

In case you guys didn't know, talkbass.com has a 20,000 character limit on posts.

Because I include links to everyone's posts when they joined the club so that we can check out their basses, the html we don't see makes our roster longer than 20,000 characters.

I have literally removed hundreds of unnecessary instances of target="_blank" in the code of the roster post, and have broken it into two so that we can continue the roster with links in talkbass's restraints.

Here it is:

CLUB FBASS ROSTER (Part 1 of 2)
(Updated 29 March 2011)

1. George_Furlanet (Number assigned by club vote)
2. Tombowlus - BN4, BN5, VF5
3. Puff_father - BN5
4. Debassed - BNF5
5. ThumbyAche - BN5, GFC
6. brandonwong - BN6, BN6 custom, AC6, BNF5, BNF5(2), BN5 custom
7. Tom7 - AC6-Standard, AC6-Classic, AC6-Fretted, BN5, BN6, VF5,
8. Erick Lam - Vintage Fretless 5
9. knarleybass - BN5, BN6
10. Reefer - BN5, BN4?
11. VinceLovesF - BN5,AC5
12. T._Brookins - BN5
13. DonovanBankhead - BN5
14. Speyer - BN6 (b)
15. jmilky - BN5
16. edel - BN5
17. administrator - BN5
18. Dave Hill - BN5, (b), VF4
19. FbassDave - BN5,BNF5
20. Vic - VF5
21. Georges_Abitbol - BN5 (b) (c)
22. xav_paris - BN5, (b)
23. Munjibunga - BN5
24. Toolmybass - ?
25. Modny - Studio5, Prototype
26. mikoespanol - AC5
27. Ron_Plichta - BN5
28. Gbarchus - BNF5
29. nuwavedc - BN5
30. JerryJ - BN5, BN6, AC5
31. yansdgr - BNF5
32. firebass - AC5, AC6
33. choad42 - BN5
34. donstrenz - Vintage 4 (stolen)
35. Gilsonite - Studio6
36. Tjluke - BN6, AC6
37. cabooke - BNF5
38. Brad Johnson - Studio5
39. MHemmber - BN4
40. Deevit / FortressOne - BN5, (2)
41. dreamwood - BN6
42. wolfbass1025 - BN6, AC5, 2
43. funkydanbass - AC6
44. Phillip Jordan - BN5
45. Halftooth - BN5
46. thndrstk6 - BN6
47. funkifiedsoul - Vintage4
48. Trapeze Fan - BN5
49. Poppsyche - BN6
50. Groovy Bastard - BN6
51. Kemet09 - Vintage4
52. ModulusAcacia - AC5
53. bassjam - BN5
54. ad9000 - BN6
55. Basses55 - BN5
56. Kevin Woods - BNF6
57. pierreganseman - BN5
58. DiDi G - BN6
59. Greggles - BN4
60. kotzman - AC5
61. Alphaman - BN6
62. remigioremigio - BN5
63. JensWest - BN5
64. eduardxtb - BN6
65. dveeus1 - BNF5, BN5
66. paulvienneau - BN6, AC6
67. bdgotoh - BN4
68. rabster - VF5, AC5
69. funkygeos - BN5
70. fusoid - AC6, BN6
71. WovenGraphite - BN6 (b), AC6 (b)
72. rnlytton - AC6, AC6-LW, BN5 (piccolo), 3 BN6s!
73. bardlute - AC5
74. chrisloe - BN6, b
75. Iposavad - BNF5
76. yinghock - BN5, BN5 with rosewood board!
77. pocketmonster - BN5
78. bassment bn5 - BN5, VF5, VF5
79. hairman - BN6, BNF5,
80. JOEP054 - AC5, BN5, VF5
81. p0k - VF5
82. jmilkey - BN5
83. Bass Junkie - AC4, (with a VF4 being built!)
84. narud - VF5,
85. BIg O - Studio 5, Passive 6, BN5, more photos
86. felicidade - BNF5
87. Drone80 - BN5, VF5
88. steve f - BN5
89. Fbassed - BN5, AC5
90. rick1906 - BN5
91. Romu - BN5
92. Bajosintrastos - BNF5
93. jimc - BN5, VF5
94. cfequa - BN5
95. mrbassman_de - AC5, BN5, BN4
96. Graham Monette - BN5
97. Shelly - VF5
98. tonenazi - BN5
99. Abacobob - BN5
100. jogi68 - BN5 (studio), BN5 (defretted), VF5, AC5, BN6, NY5, VF5

(Continued)

[Tom7]

CLUB FBASS ROSTER (Part 2 of 2)

101. ManuBerdin - Studio, BNF5, BN5
101. rvf42 - BN5
102. kuma9 - BN5 (wide nut)
103. jbay - BN6
104. INGALL'S - BN6
105. BIGGUY78 - VF5
106. KERMITNT-BN5
107. Ewo - BN5
108. frizzle - BN5
109. t0t0m - BN5
110. blen dem - BN5
111. francoprof - BNF6
112. bassistck - BNF5
113. Sirmike75 - BN5
114. Stereo Joe - Vintage BN5
115. starKey - VF5
116. eaflyaway - AC5
117. hyperba55 - AC4, BN6, AC6
118. penny0072001 - BN5
119. TheSiberian - BN6 + piezo
120. PhillM47 - BN5
121. Robochrist - Studio5
122. tcydennis - BN5
123. wellso74 - BN6
124. boomski - BN6
125. nemo - Studio5
126. maritimer - BN5
127. olegsulimov - BN5 NYC
128. Slammyapple - BN5
129. jephil - BNF5, BN6
130. MVPBASS - BN4
131. lindseyp - BN5
132. J.Wolf - BN5
133. Karelbass - VF4
134. uilleann13 - BN5
135. GRoberts,
136. AJ Brown,
137. JRB,
138. jmondick,
139. ursus,
140. Freddy-G,
141. Adrian Garcia,
142. Yvon,
143. dean82,
144. smperry,
145. Ryan_L,
146. rodneyat,
147. 123eranoid,
148. Gordon of Eden,
149. choad42,
150. black.rose1402,
151. Jonno1707 - AC5,
152. Quadzilla - BN4, BN5, ?,
153. RoboChrist - BN4,
154. blen dem - BN5,
155. BassBoss - AC5,
156. KJung - VF5,
157. Bassconbeatz - BN6,
158. <Your name could be here!>
.

[wellso74]

nice stuff!

[lindseyp]

Originally Posted by pocketmonster

I was hesitant to post this review, seeing how it is for a one-of-a-kind F Bass, but in the end I figure everyone is probably interested to know how the design worked out. I ended up trading Donovan another F Bass for the black bass he asked George to build with the MM pickup and J neck pickup (both Nordstrand)...

Upon searching this and the previous chapter, I couldn't find a pic of the bass mentioned here. Does it really exist, or did I stumble upon another private joke?

[pocketmonster]

Originally Posted by Tom7

I was surprised to read that the neck was a bit chunkier on the MM model than other VF5s. Is that true? If so, is it a nod to the MM tone?

I asked George about that, and he said he is now making the necks thicker and that he thinks it results in a "huge tonal difference for the better." So, my pool cue stick of a neck on my VF5 is probably an antique at this point...

Also, I'm surprised you haven't placed your custom order yet. I mean, it's been hours...

Also, pm'd you with a bit more info...

[pocketmonster]

Originally Posted by lindseyp

Upon searching this and the previous chapter, I couldn't find a pic of the bass mentioned here. Does it really exist, or did I stumble upon another private joke?

Oh, it's no joke. In fact, it just might have ruined me for all other basses. I mean, I love my basses and guitars some fraction of the amount I love my kids (and have bought and sold double the number I own, uh instruments that is, not kids), but this one has "it" in spades.

I'll get pics and a family portrait on here soon enough. For now just go to youtube, search for fretspot, you will see Donovan's demo. For the record, his demo doesn't even *begin* to convey the tone of the bass. No offense, Donovan. In part, it's just the format of the video/sound, but also he claims to have played all the bad notes out of his basses, so they rock by the time they get to his customers...