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Club Fbass (Part 11!)

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#661
yinghock said:
This sounds good. Do share with us the different intonation set up:)
Click to expand...

So I did a couple of things to my new bass...the first, which was a little scary, was to replace the 19mm spacing bridge with an 18mm spacing. It involved drilling a few holes but Marcel gave me a few tips and it ended up not being too dramatic. I think I like it, it makes chords and string crossing a little easier and slapping is no problem. I asked George about it at NAMM and he said the effect on pickup pole piece alignment is negligible.

And I installed a set of Ken Smith Rock Masters non-taper core strings, adjusted the intonation and...the difference was shocking. Now upper register chords play perfectly in tune! So my conclusion is that exposed core strings will not play in tune unless you minimize the length of the exposed core portion, which is a hassle but possible using spacers. It looks funny too.

It's a shame, because the F Bass strings really do sound and feel great. Perhaps George will consider a non-exposed core version in the future ;)

I am waiting for a set of Hard Rocking Steels from La Bella, which is non-exposed core and according to them similar in sound and feel to the F Bass strings. To be continued...
 
#663
YCBass said:
Well, now I feel weird with the timing of this post due to David Hughes' comments above but I have 3 FBass 6-string sets for sale. The intonation doesn't bother me so much but I just realized that the sound of these strings isn't for me, but the loose feel is great.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f129/fs-fbass-6-string-sets-962797/
Click to expand...
LAUGHING!
That HAS to be one of the funniest all time moments on talkbass! Talk about timing!

As you guys know, I have several Fbasses, and the only basses I get the intonation problem on are the BNs, not the VFs, not the ACs. And the problem (for me at least) is only when I play above the 14th fret.

I know a lot of bassists who don't play up there... as one once said, "There ain't no money up there," however, there is if you are David Hughes!

That said, I think I'll PM you about those strings; I can use them I'm sure.
 
#664
swedbass said:
So I did a couple of things to my new bass...the first, which was a little scary, was to replace the 19mm spacing bridge with an 18mm spacing. It involved drilling a few holes but Marcel gave me a few tips and it ended up not being too dramatic. I think I like it, it makes chords and string crossing a little easier and slapping is no problem. I asked George about it at NAMM and he said the effect on pickup pole piece alignment is negligible.

And I installed a set of Ken Smith Rock Masters non-taper core strings, adjusted the intonation and...the difference was shocking. Now upper register chords play perfectly in tune! So my conclusion is that exposed core strings will not play in tune unless you minimize the length of the exposed core portion, which is a hassle but possible using spacers. It looks funny too.

It's a shame, because the F Bass strings really do sound and feel great. Perhaps George will consider a non-exposed core version in the future ;)

I am waiting for a set of Hard Rocking Steels from La Bella, which is non-exposed core and according to them similar in sound and feel to the F Bass strings. To be continued...
Click to expand...
Wow. The string change doesn't surprise me; I use non-exposed core strings on my BN5 because I tend to go up the neck more frequently on a 5-string, whereas on a 6-string the presence of a C string lets me stay closer to the nut.

When the Fbass strings break in a bit more, the chorus-y intonation effect when playing above the 14th fret goes away for the most part, so I use Fbass strings on my two BN6s and just avoid (or cringe) playing above the 14th fret until the strings aren't so lively.

But the bridge change... WOW! That IS crazy!

I used to have a 5-string bass with 18 mm spacing and I found myself "tripping" on the strings as I switched to it from a 4-string bass, messing up the first 2 or 3 minutes of songs when I switched, so I had to make a decision: own less basses, or only own basses with 19 mm spacing.

I chose the latter.

But I'm sure I don't play nearly as much as you and thus struggle more getting used to the difference as a result.
 
#665
Tom7 said:
I used to have a 5-string bass with 18 mm spacing and I found myself "tripping" on the strings as I switched to it from a 4-string bass, messing up the first 2 or 3 minutes of songs when I switched, so I had to make a decision: own less basses, or only own basses with 19 mm spacing.
Click to expand...

HAHAHAH....Tom(cousin)...not sure if you will like my new AC6 then...its going to have a 16.8mm spacing..LOL
 
#667
A couple questions for you FBass users...specifically guys that have a Piezo (STB) string through body bridge on your AC's or BN's..but also has the option of top load.

Im curious see how many of you guys have switched strings from the Go To Fbass strings to an alternate brand?...which brand...success?

Also, How many dont string through body and just do top load....have you found a difference in tone, feel, tension...did the piezo act any differently
Maybe you loaded the Fbass throught the top and did not use the STB?
any input would be greatly appreciated

From the research I have read the Fbass strings through body sound great, feel great and have no intonation problem (string winding is closer to bridge)..I really enjoy playing the Fbass strings...but with age Im finding the gauge starting to be a little clumbersome and difficult on the hands.(hand fatique...etc...)....I have switched most of my bassses over to a extra light set of strings with great success...no hand fatique...playing is faster, cleaner...and no complaints from band or quests.

let me know your thoughts...thanks again
 
#668
finally got the hardwares swapped after 16 month.
1.jpg

gold hardware sounds better :p
 
#669
Tom7 said:
Wow, Brad, thanks for dropping in with that report. I know it is an inanimate object with no thoughts are feelings, but I can't help but feel badly for that poor, abused Fbass.
Click to expand...

Yeah, same here. Again, it could be salvaged as a keeper but I'd think resale value is shot on it unless someone were to keep the headstock repair to themselves and not disclose it... like the guy at GC.
:D



Update: this bass is now in Florida. Same price ($1199). Tiny pics and no mention of the headstock condition. I wrote to them last week and mentioned my experience and got no response.
 
#670
YCBass said:
Well, now I feel weird with the timing of this post due to David Hughes' comments above but I have 3 FBass 6-string sets for sale. The intonation doesn't bother me so much but I just realized that the sound of these strings isn't for me, but the loose feel is great.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f129/fs-fbass-6-string-sets-962797/
Click to expand...
I am so sorry! Please let me make it absolutely clear that the F Bass strings are:

Highest Quality
Sound fantastic
Feel great

and I happen to be blessed (cursed) with extremely keen ears and probably do more chord playing than most bassists.
 
#671
swedbass said:
So I did a couple of things to my new bass...the first, which was a little scary, was to replace the 19mm spacing bridge with an 18mm spacing. It involved drilling a few holes but Marcel gave me a few tips and it ended up not being too dramatic. I think I like it, it makes chords and string crossing a little easier and slapping is no problem. I asked George about it at NAMM and he said the effect on pickup pole piece alignment is negligible.

And I installed a set of Ken Smith Rock Masters non-taper core strings, adjusted the intonation and...the difference was shocking. Now upper register chords play perfectly in tune! So my conclusion is that exposed core strings will not play in tune unless you minimize the length of the exposed core portion, which is a hassle but possible using spacers. It looks funny too.

It's a shame, because the F Bass strings really do sound and feel great. Perhaps George will consider a non-exposed core version in the future ;)

I am waiting for a set of Hard Rocking Steels from La Bella, which is non-exposed core and according to them similar in sound and feel to the F Bass strings. To be continued...
Click to expand...

I switched from Fbass strings to R. Coccos and never looked back. These are full wrap steels....my experience mirrors yours exactly.
 
#673
Thanks for the post Mr. David Hughes!

And just to clarify, as much as I respect David's playing and opinions, they have nothing to do with why I'm selling the strings. They're just not my sound... Ash/Maple is already bright sounding, add SS strings and it's just too much for me. I think I've priced the strings more than fairly, so if anyone is in the market please pm me.

Nice bass Randyt... I can't wait to see the finished product and I can only imagine how you feel!
 
#679
Hey F Bass guys! I need a little assist here if you can. I am looking around at fretless basses and found this one, but have no idea what it is based on the knobs. Can one of you guys give me an idea of what this is? Sorry for the low quality postage stamp pics, it's all I've got at the moment.

fbass_fretless.jpg
 
#680
That's the busted headstock ac5 at GC. My repair guy saw detailed pics of the less than stellar repair GC did and quoted me 1200 to do it right. There's a first hand review of this instrument a page or two back. I would proceed with caution. My 2 cents anyway.
 
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