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Thanks so much! I'm considering myself darn lucky to be in the right place at the right time on this one. Just happened to wander into a shop a day or two after it appeared on the wall. And I don't make it to that shop often, just a couple times a year. It is in immaculate condition... just one scratch on the bottom between the jack and the strap button.
FYI, Bass Exchange sold it after the 2008 NAMM show. The original buyer just traded it in.
The top is essentially "flat" - but not table top flat. I was concerned that it might not have enough taper to be comfortable on the right forearm, but the top does slope toward the back enough that it isn't an issue. I got very tired of the flat top on my Rickenbacker that I sold a while back. This is nothing like that but is quite different from the standard rounded F Bass shape.
And no, it will not hang on the wall as a museum piece. I don't put a ton of hours on my instruments, but I buy 'em to play 'em.
FYI, Bass Exchange sold it after the 2008 NAMM show. The original buyer just traded it in.
The top is essentially "flat" - but not table top flat. I was concerned that it might not have enough taper to be comfortable on the right forearm, but the top does slope toward the back enough that it isn't an issue. I got very tired of the flat top on my Rickenbacker that I sold a while back. This is nothing like that but is quite different from the standard rounded F Bass shape.
And no, it will not hang on the wall as a museum piece. I don't put a ton of hours on my instruments, but I buy 'em to play 'em.
Pocket, that is an amazing looking BN5! One of the prettiest I've seen. Looking forward to your review in the near future! 
I love the look of this one that sold here on TB a year or so ago too:
Similar colors but I have to admit yours takes it up a notch!
Al
I love the look of this one that sold here on TB a year or so ago too:
Similar colors but I have to admit yours takes it up a notch!
Al
Man, that's a pretty one. Its elegance is different with the traditional shape and no binding. I know a lot of guys on here like the ones without tops, but I'll suffer a little compression if that's the price to pay. 
In reality, my MTD is so open and uncompressed, I figured the top may make this bass a better complement.
One question to open up to the experts... you just don't see that many BN's with rosewood boards. From the listings and photos I've seen online, maple is very common, ebony is found here and there. Anyone spent time with rosewood - on an F, specifically - to know how it compares to maple and ebony? Probably less attack than maple but other descriptions? I've skimmed and searched this F Club thread and didn't see much of anything on this topic.
In reality, my MTD is so open and uncompressed, I figured the top may make this bass a better complement.One question to open up to the experts... you just don't see that many BN's with rosewood boards. From the listings and photos I've seen online, maple is very common, ebony is found here and there. Anyone spent time with rosewood - on an F, specifically - to know how it compares to maple and ebony? Probably less attack than maple but other descriptions? I've skimmed and searched this F Club thread and didn't see much of anything on this topic.
I've never played a rosewood or ebony BN5, only a couple BNF-5's. Some of those here have alder/rosewood VF-5's and from what I've heard they have a pretty fast attack and open top end similar to and maple fb. However, i'm a believer that neck & fb woods contribute more to tone than body woods, and would expect the rosewood boards to typically be slightly rounder and sweeter, and less aggressive.
Right... his secret pay off was to show up on time to be the 78th club member...I've never really looked at F Basses much because my eye is not drawn to the ash look. However, when this beauty of a BN5 ended up in my local bass shop (after being on the TB classifieds for a bit), well... (There is no smilie for <spontaneously explode>.) I decided over the past year never to buy another bass that is not 19mm and in the range of 1-5/8" to 1-3/4" at the nut. With those specs, the gorgeous finish, and sound that goes with the looks, I became an F man. I'll go into some detail (at Tom's request) in future posts regarding the buying process, the sound, the fit and finish, how the VF5 and BNF5 next to it sounded, how it compares to my MTD 535, etc., but for now have some bass pr0n. Maybe check with your spouse before looking if it'll make you feel better.I did a photo shoot this morning, using the sunlight coming in our dining room window to light this baby up. FYI, these photos are not cropped, enhanced, or altered in any way. Came straight off of my Nikon. Enjoy.
I worked out a secret payoff with Tom to secure #78.
I hope he shares with y'all the details of buying this bass; I love this story.
At any rate, this roster updates welcomes pocketmonster and his gorgeous BN5 to the Fellowship of Players Who Know.
CLUB FBASS ROSTER
(Updated 19 August 2009)
#00 George_Furlanet
- Quadzilla - BN4, BN5, ?
- Tombowlus - BN4, BN5, VF5
- Puff_father - BN5
- Debassed - BNF5
- ThumbyAche - BN5, GFC
- brandonwong - AC6, BN5, BN6, VF5, Vintage Fretless 5, BN5
- Tom7 - BN6, BN5, BN5,, AC5
- Erick Lam - BN5
- knarleybass - BN5, BN6
- Reefer - b, BN4?
- VinceLovesF - BN5 BN5
- T._Brookins - BN5
- DKB - BN5,
- Speyer - b (BN5,)
- jmilky - BNF5
- edel - VF5
- administrator - BN5
- Dave Hill - b (c)
- FbassDave - BN5 (b)
- Vic - BN5
- Georges_Abitbol - ? (Studio5) (Prototype)
- xav_paris - AC5, BN5
- Munjibunga - BNF5
- Toolmybass - BN5
- Modny - BN5, BN6
- mikoespanol - AC5
- Ron_Plichta - BNF5
- Gbarchus - AC5
- nuwavedc - >
- JerryJ - Vintage 4, Studio6, BN6
- yansdgr - BNF5
- firebass - Studio5, AC6
- <reserved for the return of choad42BN4
- donstrenz - AC5 (stolen)
- Gilsonite - BN5
- Tjluke - BN6, AC6
- cabooke - AC5
- Brad Johnson - 2
- MHemmber - AC6
- Jonno1707 - BN5
- dreamwood - BN6
- wolfbass1025 - Vintage4, BN5, BN6
- funkydanbass - BN6
- Phillip Jordan - Vintage4
- Halftooth - BN5
- thndrstk6 - AC5
- funkifiedsoul - BN5
- Trapeze Fan - BN6
- Poppsyche - BN5
- Groovy Bastard - BNF6
- Kemet09 - BN6
- ModulusAcacia - BN4
- bassjam - AC5
- Bassconbeatz - BN6
- Basses55 -
- blen dem - BN5
- Kevin Woods - BN5
- pierreganseman - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
- DiDi G - BN6
- Greggles - BN6
- kotzman - BN4
- Alphaman - VF5
- remigioremigio - AC5
- JensWest - BN5
- eduardxtb - AC6
- dveeus1 - BNF5, BN5
- paulvienneau - BN6, AC6
- bdgotoh - BN6
- rabster - b, AC6
- funkygeos - b
- fusoid - BN5 (piccolo), AC5
- WovenGraphite - BN6 (BNF5), BN5 (BN5)
- rnlytton - AC6, AC6-LW, GRoberts, 3 BN6s!
- bardlute - AJ Brown
- chrisloe - JRB
- Iposavad - jmondick
- yinghock - ursus
- pocketmonster - Freddy-G
- <Your name could be here!>
Adrian Garcia, Yvon, dean82, smperry, FortressOne, Ryan_L, rodneyat, 123eranoid, Gordon of Eden, choad42, black.rose1402, blen dem, George_Furlanet, BN4, BN5, ?, BN4, BN5
We haven't heard from Mitch in awhile, but he might be the perfect guy to answer this. Mitch? You there?Man, that's a pretty one. Its elegance is different with the traditional shape and no binding. I know a lot of guys on here like the ones without tops, but I'll suffer a little compression if that's the price to pay.
One question to open up to the experts... you just don't see that many BN's with rosewood boards. From the listings and photos I've seen online, maple is very common, ebony is found here and there. Anyone spent time with rosewood - on an F, specifically - to know how it compares to maple and ebony? Probably less attack than maple but other descriptions? I've skimmed and searched this F Club thread and didn't see much of anything on this topic.
I dropped in the shop on Friday at lunch... just getting away from work for a bit... was looking to play a Lakland and maybe a Lull. I saw this bass and a few other F Basses on the wall. Played the BN5 and was very impressed with the comfort of the neck and the overall feel and sound of the bass. Asked if he would hold it for me until Tuesday, so I came home to read TB... make sure I learned enough about BN5s and Fs in general so I wasn't doing anything stupid. I read basically all of the F Club threads over the weekend. Part I, II, III, and IV. 
One goal was just to figure out how the pre-amp knobs work...
Come Tuesday, it was an easy purchase to make except for one thing: there were two VF5s hanging on the wall right next to it (white and red), and they sounded damn good. I mean stupid, sick good. A couple young guys (mid 20s, which means I'm old now...) happened to be looking around the shop when I plugged in the red VF5 and played a few notes through my SA450 running into a Bergantino. They came to a dead stop, gasped, and drooled... said something along the lines of OMG, that sounds amazing. I agreed. Even having owned a couple Sadowskys, I felt from the first note there was a mojo with the VF5 that I hadn't felt with other instruments. The tightly focused power of the fundamental and the ring of the roundwounds was intense. It was like new strings except even newer. Another comment on the VF5 is that I've never heard a bass where you could play chromatic scales back and forth across the B and E and not be able to tell when the string switch happens. Very impressive. Even my MTD and the BN5 don't do that. In short, I bought the BN5 because it sounded so good and versatile (more on that later... still putting it through its paces). I might have bought a VF5 if I had the cash on me... fortunately, I didn't. <whew>
Got the BN5 home and played it for about 3.5 hours the first night, probably another hour last night. I haven't fully mastered the pre-amp yet but am finding lots of usable tones. It could hardly be a more different beast than my MTD. More on that later.
This thread and a couple others on TB were very helpful for learning about the instruments and what everyone thinks. Nice work, fellas. Having George here answering questions is really something. I know guys like him could be off working on other things for their businesses, but when folks drop in TB and see their level of support firsthand, it can only be a good thing. Understanding why a builder does what he does and makes the choices he makes is inspiring and instills a lot of appreciation for the instrument.
One goal was just to figure out how the pre-amp knobs work... Come Tuesday, it was an easy purchase to make except for one thing: there were two VF5s hanging on the wall right next to it (white and red), and they sounded damn good. I mean stupid, sick good. A couple young guys (mid 20s, which means I'm old now...) happened to be looking around the shop when I plugged in the red VF5 and played a few notes through my SA450 running into a Bergantino. They came to a dead stop, gasped, and drooled... said something along the lines of OMG, that sounds amazing. I agreed. Even having owned a couple Sadowskys, I felt from the first note there was a mojo with the VF5 that I hadn't felt with other instruments. The tightly focused power of the fundamental and the ring of the roundwounds was intense. It was like new strings except even newer. Another comment on the VF5 is that I've never heard a bass where you could play chromatic scales back and forth across the B and E and not be able to tell when the string switch happens. Very impressive. Even my MTD and the BN5 don't do that. In short, I bought the BN5 because it sounded so good and versatile (more on that later... still putting it through its paces). I might have bought a VF5 if I had the cash on me... fortunately, I didn't. <whew>
Got the BN5 home and played it for about 3.5 hours the first night, probably another hour last night. I haven't fully mastered the pre-amp yet but am finding lots of usable tones. It could hardly be a more different beast than my MTD. More on that later.
This thread and a couple others on TB were very helpful for learning about the instruments and what everyone thinks. Nice work, fellas. Having George here answering questions is really something. I know guys like him could be off working on other things for their businesses, but when folks drop in TB and see their level of support firsthand, it can only be a good thing. Understanding why a builder does what he does and makes the choices he makes is inspiring and instills a lot of appreciation for the instrument.
Hey Pocket. Great Story! Thanks. Curious what the woods were on the VF5? Alder/Rosewood, or Ash/Maple?
Also, what pushed you in the direction of the BN5 over the VF5? Other than the fact that your new BN5 is one of the most beautiful basses on the planet! It would be hard to not let the visual affect your decision. That bass is ridiculous stunning!
Did you ever play a Lakland or Lull? Teehee. I'm guessing not, or if you did, they just don't have the same mojo as an F Bass. Great at what they do, but completely different animal.
Also, what pushed you in the direction of the BN5 over the VF5? Other than the fact that your new BN5 is one of the most beautiful basses on the planet! It would be hard to not let the visual affect your decision. That bass is ridiculous stunning!
Did you ever play a Lakland or Lull? Teehee. I'm guessing not, or if you did, they just don't have the same mojo as an F Bass. Great at what they do, but completely different animal.
I dropped in the shop on Friday at lunch... just getting away from work for a bit... was looking to play a Lakland and maybe a Lull. I saw this bass and a few other F Basses on the wall. Played the BN5 and was very impressed with the comfort of the neck and the overall feel and sound of the bass. Asked if he would hold it for me until Tuesday, so I came home to read TB... make sure I learned enough about BN5s and Fs in general so I wasn't doing anything stupid. I read basically all of the F Club threads over the weekend. Part I, II, III, and IV.
Come Tuesday, it was an easy purchase to make except for one thing: there were two VF5s hanging on the wall right next to it (white and red), and they sounded damn good. I mean stupid, sick good. A couple young guys (mid 20s, which means I'm old now...) happened to be looking around the shop when I plugged in the red VF5 and played a few notes through my SA450 running into a Bergantino. They came to a dead stop, gasped, and drooled... said something along the lines of OMG, that sounds amazing. I agreed. Even having owned a couple Sadowskys, I felt from the first note there was a mojo with the VF5 that I hadn't felt with other instruments. The tightly focused power of the fundamental and the ring of the roundwounds was intense. It was like new strings except even newer. Another comment on the VF5 is that I've never heard a bass where you could play chromatic scales back and forth across the B and E and not be able to tell when the string switch happens. Very impressive. Even my MTD and the BN5 don't do that. In short, I bought the BN5 because it sounded so good and versatile (more on that later... still putting it through its paces). I might have bought a VF5 if I had the cash on me... fortunately, I didn't. <whew>
Got the BN5 home and played it for about 3.5 hours the first night, probably another hour last night. I haven't fully mastered the pre-amp yet but am finding lots of usable tones. It could hardly be a more different beast than my MTD. More on that later.
This thread and a couple others on TB were very helpful for learning about the instruments and what everyone thinks. Nice work, fellas. Having George here answering questions is really something. I know guys like him could be off working on other things for their businesses, but when folks drop in TB and see their level of support firsthand, it can only be a good thing. Understanding why a builder does what he does and makes the choices he makes is inspiring and instills a lot of appreciation for the instrument.
Hey FBass fans. There seems to be quite a few BN's on the Bass Central website that are discounted pretty steeply. Looks like they might be cleaning out some stock that's been in their shop a while. Some nice deals on some nice basses!
I have the same questions Gary does... if the VF dropped your jaw that much, why did you buy the BN, and say "if you had the money" regarding the VF? Was the BN used at a great deal but the VF was new and cost more?
Oh, that was supposed to imply enough cash to buy *both*. I'd be in the doghouse for about six months if I did that...
Yes, the price on that used BN5 was a fair bit less than the new VF5s, and I wasn't leaving without it. I mean, you can go online and find several fine new VF5s for sale, but that BN5 with that top in that condition for a used price was a one-off opportunity. I should point out that the BN5 sounded great as well, but I'm saving that detail for a future post after I get more time with it. I just happened to plug the red VF5 in as the other guys were in the store, which made for the good story. The VF5 sounded so good it gave me pause... but it wasn't the right purchase for the day. Perhaps or maybe even likely another day. The VF5s were both ash and rosewood. You can see them here:
Invalid Link Removed
I did play a USA JO5. Didn't make it to the Lulls. I'm not going to say anything bad at all about the JO5 except that my preference is not for that neck width... nice bass and clearly among the highest quality J's out there. However...
I spent a few minutes on the BN6 and the BNF5 as well. I'm not a six guy but it was very nice and quite playable. The fretless had a great sound but an unusual sound... very open, resonant, and kind of hollow with a huge amount of overtones. I am used to flats on a fretless, and the roundwounds on it gave it a sound I had not heard before. As interesting as it was, it wasn't my cup of tea, and I would definitely string some flats on there.
I'd be in the doghouse for about six months if I did that...Yes, the price on that used BN5 was a fair bit less than the new VF5s, and I wasn't leaving without it. I mean, you can go online and find several fine new VF5s for sale, but that BN5 with that top in that condition for a used price was a one-off opportunity. I should point out that the BN5 sounded great as well, but I'm saving that detail for a future post after I get more time with it. I just happened to plug the red VF5 in as the other guys were in the store, which made for the good story. The VF5 sounded so good it gave me pause... but it wasn't the right purchase for the day. Perhaps or maybe even likely another day. The VF5s were both ash and rosewood. You can see them here:
Invalid Link Removed
I did play a USA JO5. Didn't make it to the Lulls. I'm not going to say anything bad at all about the JO5 except that my preference is not for that neck width... nice bass and clearly among the highest quality J's out there. However...
I spent a few minutes on the BN6 and the BNF5 as well. I'm not a six guy but it was very nice and quite playable. The fretless had a great sound but an unusual sound... very open, resonant, and kind of hollow with a huge amount of overtones. I am used to flats on a fretless, and the roundwounds on it gave it a sound I had not heard before. As interesting as it was, it wasn't my cup of tea, and I would definitely string some flats on there.
I LOVE this story... especially the part about the 2 younglings getting stopped in their tracks.I dropped in the shop on Friday at lunch... just getting away from work for a bit... was looking to play a Lakland and maybe a Lull. I saw this bass and a few other F Basses on the wall. Played the BN5 and was very impressed with the comfort of the neck and the overall feel and sound of the bass. Asked if he would hold it for me until Tuesday, so I came home to read TB... make sure I learned enough about BN5s and Fs in general so I wasn't doing anything stupid. I read basically all of the F Club threads over the weekend. Part I, II, III, and IV.
Come Tuesday, it was an easy purchase to make except for one thing: there were two VF5s hanging on the wall right next to it (white and red), and they sounded damn good. I mean stupid, sick good. A couple young guys (mid 20s, which means I'm old now...) happened to be looking around the shop when I plugged in the red VF5 and played a few notes through my SA450 running into a Bergantino. They came to a dead stop, gasped, and drooled... said something along the lines of OMG, that sounds amazing. I agreed. Even having owned a couple Sadowskys, I felt from the first note there was a mojo with the VF5 that I hadn't felt with other instruments. The tightly focused power of the fundamental and the ring of the roundwounds was intense. It was like new strings except even newer. Another comment on the VF5 is that I've never heard a bass where you could play chromatic scales back and forth across the B and E and not be able to tell when the string switch happens. Very impressive. Even my MTD and the BN5 don't do that. In short, I bought the BN5 because it sounded so good and versatile (more on that later... still putting it through its paces). I might have bought a VF5 if I had the cash on me... fortunately, I didn't. <whew>
Got the BN5 home and played it for about 3.5 hours the first night, probably another hour last night. I haven't fully mastered the pre-amp yet but am finding lots of usable tones. It could hardly be a more different beast than my MTD. More on that later.
This thread and a couple others on TB were very helpful for learning about the instruments and what everyone thinks. Nice work, fellas. Having George here answering questions is really something. I know guys like him could be off working on other things for their businesses, but when folks drop in TB and see their level of support firsthand, it can only be a good thing. Understanding why a builder does what he does and makes the choices he makes is inspiring and instills a lot of appreciation for the instrument.
I like your way with words and am very much looking forward to your contributions in the club.
I thought I would let you all know that I have finally shipped by AC6 back to George at F Bass to have the bass refinished in the newer non nitro finish, as well as having a neck position pick up installed. I'm also getting strap locks and a master standby switch in-stalled and having it sent back with a new case, as the Gator hardcase it was originally shipped in is not to my liking.
I knew that Tom7 and a few others have considered the option of the extra magnetic pickup, so I'll keep you posted on the progress.
I knew that Tom7 and a few others have considered the option of the extra magnetic pickup, so I'll keep you posted on the progress.
The colour has to be removed and refinished too. I have asked for more red and less sunburst. Kind of like this:
Yeah, reading your list there had me thinking, "Wow! That's MY wish list for my AC6!"
Did you make any recordings before you sent it away so you can do a before / after comparison?
It would be interesting to "see" if there was any audible difference between the two finishes.
I am REALLY interested to hear the bass after the second magnetic pickup though.
What an exciting endeavor, please keep us posted!
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