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Club Fbass (Part 10!)

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#402
Vic said:
Great playing and tone! What kind of strings are on it? Stock F?
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Tom7 said:
Wow! Alex would be a "very cool bassist" in ANY country! :hyper:

Alex does a much better job than I do at using a light slap technique to bring out the character of that BN6LE replica. Listening to him makes me realize I need to lighten up my slap touch.

Also, when he soloed the bridge pickup, it sounds better than I realized -- I'm going to have to some more experimenting with my bass to get there. I just heard it once (maybe twice) and told myself, "Uh, I won't be using THAT tone!"

Thank you so much for posting the clip and the photo.

And like Vic, I'd be curious about the strings he used in the clip.

Cheers,
Tom
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He uses F-bass strings here as I remember, new set arrived with the bass. He's real "Russian Caron" :) But it doesn't mean he hasn't got his own style :) I'll ask him to register here if he didn't :)
 
#403
AMp'D.2play said:
Well, as mentioned a few days ago, I've had a 'demo' BN4 since Saturday and still have a couple more days with it.

The useable range of tones is awesome! I'd done some recordings of the BN4, my Fender P, and my Lakland 44-02. While (as mentioned) the BN4 won't do a carbon-copy of the P, it gets darn close. The BN has some nice depth/fullness to the notes. One of my current basses pales in comparison, and listening to the recordings played back through headphones made this obvious.

From a playing standpoint, the weight and balance were great. My fingers took a liking to the neck and fretboard contour almost immediately.

There were some issues with it, but I think they are all manageable. It was in dire need of a setup. Lots of fret buzz and E/A string clack. (yes, my technique probably needs some refinement, as well). Also, I could feel one of the seams of the wood joint along the back of the neck. Nothing some super-fine grit sandpaper couldn't solve. Before I dropped the coin on this, I'd have the dealer make sure these were all resolved.
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Yes, you should make sure the bass is 100% before paying, after all, your money is 100%.

BTW, have you seen this BN4 clip yet?

 
#407
Hi all -- I need to clean up the frets on my F a little, which I thought I'd do today before I re-string. I picked up this stuff:

http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Dunlop-D6502-Guitar-Fingerboard/dp/B0002E1I2I

My BNF has an asian ebony 'board -- any thoughts on using the "conditioner" they include (Dunlop 2)? My only other ebony experience is on upright, and I don't use any oil, but rather rub with a soft cloth until it's shiny. I thought I'd ask the F bass experts what you guys think for this bass though, since the conditioner came with the fret cleaner as a package.

Thanks for the help!
 
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#408
You can use 00 grade steel wool. You can break off a peice and lightly clean the frets and gunk off the finger board. Use a light touch and go with the grain of the ebony. You will see the frets shine after this. Cover your pickups with a cloth so that the wool fibers don't cling to the pups. Then put a bit of lemon oil on a clean cloth and wipe down your fretboard and frets rubbing it in. Then use another clean cloth to wipe any excess.

Along with doing my own set ups I've used this method of fingerboard care and never had to use a buffer. Works great
 
#409
skb5string said:
You can use 00 grade steel wool. You can break off a peice and lightly clean the frets and gunk off the finger board. Use a light touch and go with the grain of the ebony. You will see the frets shine after this. Cover your pickups with a cloth so that the wool fibers don't cling to the pups. Then put a bit of lemon oil on a clean cloth and wipe down your fretboard and frets rubbing it in. Then use another clean cloth to wipe any excess.
Click to expand...
Aram,
I have a couple thoughts on this, as this is very close to what I do...

First, I'd recommend 0000 steel wool. IME, it does just as good at removing tarnish and board gook, but puts less wear on the board wood. It also makes the frets look a little prettier if that matters to you... the only thing is, it's a little slower, but I don't mind that. skb5string says use a light touch, which should prevent any issues, but I just like the finer stuff so you don't even have to worry about it.

I would STRONGLY emphasize skb5string's comment about covering the pickups. In addition to that, after you pull that cloth off, carefully, you can kinda stand the bass up on its headstock on a paper towel or that cloth, to have any remaining fibers on the board/frets fall off on it. If a few stray fibers do get stuck to the pickups, you can get some of that removable blue painter's tape to remove it easily and cleanly... it can be very frustrating to try and wipe/pinch it off. Doesn't really work.

On the lemon oil (and what it really is, which is a whole other topic), I'd also say only use it as a cleaner. Don't let it soak in. In other words, wipe it off right away.

And in an additional step, and not all of us agree on this, but I like it, use a deep conditioner type oil (I use Dunlop 02) and do let that soak in a little (and then wipe excess off).

Keep in mind, this doesn't need to be done for no specific reason. Just do it if the board is showing a lot of dirt and/or is drying out. If it doesn't need it, don't bother. Some people do this kinda' thing with every string change just as a matter of habit. I don't think that's necessary. It should just be when the wood appears to need it.
 
#410
Good stuff, thanks guys. I'll try out the steel wool option next time.

I did end up using the Dunlop kit as directed (both the cleaner and the oil) and it seemed to work as advertised. To be fair, the bass didn't REALLY need it, but I'm about to start recording so I figured I'd set it up right.

I'm not positive I want to go the lemon oil route, as I've seen mixed opinions, as you mention Vic. Even the conditioner is probably a one-time thing for me b/c I tend to sweat a lot which seems to keep the board decently oiled :)

Gross, I know.
 
#411
Aram said:
I'm not positive I want to go the lemon oil route, as I've seen mixed opinions, as you mention Vic. Even the conditioner is probably a one-time thing for me b/c I tend to sweat a lot which seems to keep the board decently oiled :)
Click to expand...
Well, even the anti-"lemon oil" people feel it's ok as long as you don't let it sit on there, so I think that's always considered safe no matter what camp you're in... however, don't be afraid to treat a board on principle (just in the same way as you shouldn't always just treat it as a matter of habit)... if it needs it, go ahead.

IMHO/IME anyway.
 
#412
Vic said:
Aram,
I have a couple thoughts on this, as this is very close to what I do...

First, I'd recommend 0000 steel wool. IME, it does just as good at removing tarnish and board gook, but puts less wear on the board wood. It also makes the frets look a little prettier if that matters to you... the only thing is, it's a little slower, but I don't mind that. skb5string says use a light touch, which should prevent any issues, but I just like the finer stuff so you don't even have to worry about it.

I would STRONGLY emphasize skb5string's comment about covering the pickups. In addition to that, after you pull that cloth off, carefully, you can kinda stand the bass up on its headstock on a paper towel or that cloth, to have any remaining fibers on the board/frets fall off on it. If a few stray fibers do get stuck to the pickups, you can get some of that removable blue painter's tape to remove it easily and cleanly... it can be very frustrating to try and wipe/pinch it off. Doesn't really work.

On the lemon oil (and what it really is, which is a whole other topic), I'd also say only use it as a cleaner. Don't let it soak in. In other words, wipe it off right away.

And in an additional step, and not all of us agree on this, but I like it, use a deep conditioner type oil (I use Dunlop 02) and do let that soak in a little (and then wipe excess off).

Keep in mind, this doesn't need to be done for no specific reason. Just do it if the board is showing a lot of dirt and/or is drying out. If it doesn't need it, don't bother. Some people do this kinda' thing with every string change just as a matter of habit. I don't think that's necessary. It should just be when the wood appears to need it.
Click to expand...

Oops your right Vic 0000 grade steel wool!
 
#413
yes...0000 steel wool..definetly....I have used Bore Oil on all my boards for 20+ years...can be found in the woodwind section of the music store...tiny bottle about $5bucks...1 to 2 drops per fret..rub in..let soak for a few minutes then wipe off!!
 
#415
Tom7 said:
Father's day is a week away... let me be the first to tell you dads out there, "Happy Father's day," and don't forgot your dads as well.

http://youtu.be/fZa7hU6tP_s
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Thank you Tom...And Happy Fathers Day to you too!!!

**Tom..how did you manage to wait for your Fbass's ...I dont want to rush perfection, but the waiting kills me..LOL...,is there a support group around here>>LMAO
;)
 
#416
Randyt said:
Thank you Tom...And Happy Fathers Day to you too!!!

**Tom..how did you manage to wait for your Fbass's ...I dont want to rush perfection, but the waiting kills me..LOL...,is there a support group around here>>LMAO
;)
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I hear you. Lucky for me, some of my basses were gifts -- George and my wife or Donovan and my wife conspiring behind my back -- so I never knew I was waiting for a bass. :confused:
 
#417
Do any of you Have / Use Hard shell cases for your FBass??

I have two gigs this year that require me to travel long distances, where the tractor trailer will be packed with all equipment including my basses...do any of you have recommendations?...the stock FBass gig bag is great...but I get really concerned...whos kidding who...i get paranoid when my gear isnt sitting in the same cab as me.
Ideas...thoughts on Hard shell case...maybe flight case...let me know...thanks

Randyt
 
#418
Randyt said:
Do any of you Have / Use Hard shell cases for your FBass??

I have two gigs this year that require me to travel long distances, where the tractor trailer will be packed with all equipment including my basses...do any of you have recommendations?...the stock FBass gig bag is great...but I get really concerned...whos kidding who...i get paranoid when my gear isnt sitting in the same cab as me.
Ideas...thoughts on Hard shell case...maybe flight case...let me know...thanks

Randyt
Click to expand...
I hope Donovan chimes in on this one. I realize you are in Canada, but if Donovan doesn't give suggestions here I would call or email him as well.

I have several different kinds of cases, and my favorite came from Donovan when I bought my VF5. I've used it for BNs and ACs when they are making journeys where they aren't simply in the van.
 
#419
Randyt said:
Do any of you Have / Use Hard shell cases for your FBass??

I have two gigs this year that require me to travel long distances, where the tractor trailer will be packed with all equipment including my basses...do any of you have recommendations?...the stock FBass gig bag is great...but I get really concerned...whos kidding who...i get paranoid when my gear isnt sitting in the same cab as me.
Ideas...thoughts on Hard shell case...maybe flight case...let me know...thanks

Randyt
Click to expand...
I spoke with George about this when I ordered my BN6 which is in build now. He said that he could not find any HSC that fit the BN shape right. I would also love to hear what Donovan came up with...
 
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