Fender Frank Bello? (Your opinion)

[OkkultistBass]

Sorry for posting another thread, but I can't find any reviews on this bass, only the Squier one.
I'm a huge Anthrax fan and was stoked to see them at Big Four yesterday, especially seeing Frank rocking his Fender Jazz and Hartke Rig. I've always been big on the P+J pick up settings, I love mixing them both, it's probably my favorite tone in the world. I also like the simplicity of two volume knobs, just crank 'em up and I'm ready to play.

But I have yet to hear anything about the quality. I've heard the Squier isn't that great of quality, but nothing about the Fender one.

Like I said, sorry for posting another thread, it's probably annoying to a lot of you. I'm just curious about other people's opinion on this bass. I'm incredibly tempted to buy it.

[Tommygunn]

The fender one I played was totally solid. No tone knob was pretty much its only set back. It was really big and ballsy otherwise. I dug it.

[OkkultistBass]

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

The fender one I played was totally solid. No tone knob was pretty much its only set back. It was really big and ballsy otherwise. I dug it.

Does not having a tone knob make a big difference, or does it sound fine without it?

[Tommygunn]

It sounds great without it, just it would have more versatility with it.

[Nedmundo]

I've never played one, but it looks really cool and I bet it sounds great. However, for a super-hot P/J without a tone control, the G&L SB-2 is just incredible. The MFD split-coil hits harder than any other pickup I've tried, aside from perhaps the full side-by-side MFD humbucker. Unless you're drawn to the Bello for the signature factor, if you want an aggressive P/J you should check out the SB-2, both Tribute and USA. Heck, the Tribute comes in a black/black/rosewood version, so you'd get that vibe. The Bello's only advantage IMO (on paper, at least) is the noiseless J pickup.

[ghostdog93]

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

I've never played one, but it looks really cool and I bet it sounds great. However, for a super-hot P/J without a tone control, the G&L SB-2 is just incredible. The MFD split-coil hits harder than any other pickup I've tried, aside from perhaps the full side-by-side MFD humbucker. Unless you're drawn to the Bello for the signature factor, if you want an aggressive P/J you should check out the SB-2, both Tribute and USA. Heck, the Tribute comes in a black/black/rosewood version, so you'd get that vibe. The Bello's only advantage IMO (on paper, at least) is the noiseless J pickup.

+1 on the SB-2, although it is a P-style body. It does, however, rock.

As for the Squier/Fender models, the Fender has a P-neck, whereas the Squier has a J. I'm not sure which neck Frank actually plays.

You can check out Frank talking about both basses on YouTube:

Fender Bello

Squier Bello

[OkkultistBass]

Originally Posted by ghostdog93

+1 on the SB-2, although it is a P-style body. It does, however, rock.

As for the Squier/Fender models, the Fender has a P-neck, whereas the Squier has a J. I'm not sure which neck Frank actually plays.

You can check out Frank talking about both basses on YouTube:

Fender Bello

Squier Bello

I prefer a P-neck anyway.
I have long boney fingers and have problems getting around a J-neck properly.

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by OkkultistBass

I prefer a P-neck anyway.
I have long boney fingers and have problems getting around a J-neck properly.

Then the Bello would be a good choice. Just FYI though, G&L's USA models can be ordered with non-standard necks, including really beefy ones with 1.75" nut width and either 7.5" or 12" radius fretboards. They are very serious P necks. G&L seems to have slimmed down some rear profiles lately, so current versions might not be quite as beefy as those of yore, but they will be P necks nonetheless.