Fano Alt De Facto PX4 Bass - Hot or Not - Page 2

KeithKlaxwell · #21 01-28-2013, 10:41 PM

I like them a lot, my friend has an orange RB4 guitar. I would consider one but probably not the new hollowbody because I have a few of those. I would also have to get a modern 9.5 radius. I would have to give the scale some thought, 32" is definitely comfortable but so are 30s

I think the headstocks are super cool.

SactoBass · #22 01-28-2013, 10:57 PM

1.5" nut width?
7.25" fretboard radius?
32" scale length?

This Fano guy gets it!!

He is making comfort a priority. What a breath of fresh air!

And I like both the non-reverse Gibson-like PX4 and the beautiful hollowbody GF4.

I'm not into the fake "road worn" banged up look. I like my basses looking as pristine as possible. When I buy a new bass, I want it to look new. Fortunately, for the PX4, he offers various degrees of distress. I would opt for zero distress, but that's just my personal preference.

Dang, that hollowbody on his website sure is beautiful!

http://www.fanoguitars.com/altdefactoGF4.html

Very nice!!

BassManPatsFan · #23 01-28-2013, 11:16 PM

This thread hasn't been around for several months...

Long story short, I bought a PX4 (in Lake Placid blue, medium distress) in October and I absolutely love it. It's my main bass and there really isn't anything I would change about it if I could.

The neck is extremely comfy as SactoBass indicated, the body is beautiful (NR thunderbirds are probably in my top 5 favorite bass shapes) and the sound is incredible. I'm surprised that these Lollar pickups (which the newer PX4s come with, not the TV Jones pups) haven't gotten more attention on TB. They nail the classic Thunderbird tone, but are also hotter, more dynamic and more versatile.

Did any of you guys at NAMM get a chance to try out the new GF4? I've seen lots of pictures, but I haven't heard any demos yet.

If you have any questions about the PX4, feel free to direct them my way. I don't work for the brand, but this bass sure is making me a loyal supporter. I'm already planning my GF4 (in my head).

SactoBass · #24 01-28-2013, 11:24 PM

For NAMM 2013, I found this:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/2..._GF4_Bass.aspx

The first half of the vid is for the guitar, but then they go to the basses.

SactoBass · #25 01-28-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassManPatsFan

I bought a PX4 (in Lake Placid blue, medium distress)

Nice!! I love that color! And even though I commented that I prefer the non-distressed look, one downside to a pristine bass is, I'm always having to worry about bumping it against something. With a distressed model, I wouldn't have that worry as much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassManPatsFan

I'm surprised that these Lollar pickups (which the newer PX4s come with, not the TV Jones pups) haven't gotten more attention on TB. They nail the classic Thunderbird tone, but are also hotter, more dynamic and more versatile.

Biiiiig +1

Lollars are the best pickups on planet Earth, IMO.

BassManPatsFan · #26 01-28-2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoBass

For NAMM 2013, I found this:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/2..._GF4_Bass.aspx

The first half of the vid is for the guitar, but then they go to the basses.

I saw that. They talk about the bass and look at it, but don't play it. I'm hopeful that some NAMM footage that actually includes playing that beauty will surface soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Nice!! I love that color! And even though I commented that I prefer the non-distressed look, one downside to a pristine bass is, I'm always having to worry about bumping it against something. With a distressed model, I wouldn't have that worry as much.

Biiiiig +1

Lollars are the best pickups on planet Earth, IMO.

LPB is a great color. I got mine from Chicago Music Exchange and was choosing between this and the orange w/ gold pickguard combo. Very glad I chose the Lake Placid blue.

Agreed on the Lollars. Those and Dark Stars/Hagstrom Bi-Sonics are the best pickups I've ever used. They're similar actually--both are very high output and dynamic, but the Lollars are humbuckers of course.

kai_ski · #27 01-29-2013, 01:13 PM

the px4 doesn't do much for me, but man that gf4 is GAS-inducing.

**Chef** · #28 01-29-2013, 01:16 PM

^^^that's cool; what's it cost?

kai_ski · #29 01-29-2013, 01:25 PM

no idea. I just emailed the builder because, while they don't have a dealer within an hour of Philly (that I can find,) these are built 1:20 from Philly.

WOW, I had no idea this thread was such a dig. I found it after a search brought on by this post NAMM Porn for ya

BassManPatsFan · #30 01-29-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai_ski

no idea. I just emailed the builder because, while they don't have a dealer within an hour of Philly (that I can find,) these are built 1:20 from Philly.

WOW, I had no idea this thread was such a dig. I found it after a search brought on by this post NAMM Porn for ya

I own a PX4 and love it.

The basses are actually built in Arroyo Grande, CA as far as I know. Fano is located in PA, but they're built under the Premier Builders Guild umbrella in CA.

PX4s retail for around $2800. Not bad for a handmade, American-made customizable bass that's extremely well built and uses top-shelf components (IMO). I imagine the GF4 will be priced similarly.

kai_ski · #31 01-29-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

^^^that's cool; what's it cost?

If they're in the same ballpark as the PX4, it's at the $3k price point. That's definitely out of my comfort zone. Let's make a big fuss about them so that they eventually start showing up on the secondary market.

http://www.gtrstore.com/store/bass/a...-px4-black-dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassManPatsFan

I own a PX4 and love it.

The basses are actually built in Arroyo Grande, CA as far as I know. Fano is located in PA, but they're built under the Premier Builders Guild umbrella in CA.

Interesting fact. Either way, Jimmy at the premier builders guild informed me that a guitar shop in NJ has one of these on order. They're expecting to make delivery in April-May. I'll need to check it out sometime.

Buskman · #32 01-29-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai_ski

no idea. I just emailed the builder because, while they don't have a dealer within an hour of Philly (that I can find,) these are built 1:20 from Philly.

WOW, I had no idea this thread was such a dig. I found it after a search brought on by this post NAMM Porn for ya

Russo Music in Asbury Park, NJ is an authorized dealer. They also have a location in Hamilton (close to Trenton - not too far from Philly), so they may be able to get one in for you to try out.

http://russomusic.com/t-fano-guitars.aspx

kai_ski · #33 01-29-2013, 03:03 PM

Got a response via Fano website, FYI:

Quote:

Hello Kai,

Thanks for your interest in Fano. The GF4 was just released at NAMM and we only had one there to sell to a dealer. Unfortunately the dealer that snagged that one is in Chicago. The orders that were taken at NAMM will be delivered to various dealers in April and May. The nearest dealer to you that ordered a GF4 is GTR store in Edison, NJ.

It's a semi-hollow body with f-holes so the price will be a bit higher [than the PX4.] The base retail price is $3395.

Thanks,
Jimmy Lovinggood
Premier Builders Guild