Club FBass (Part 5)

[narud]

True, but IMHO, that goes both ways. Comments like this seem to read as if to rate BN's above all others in its class without qualifying it to what I consider to be the core point... user preference.

Put another way, other basses at this premium of a level (and there are many) are ALSO quite different from the BN, and also from each other for that matter. So at least in that respect, the BN isn't "unique"... except in the eyes of a particular beholder. IMHO that's really the only way to answer the OP's question.

im not that into the bn series either, but whats nice about geoges work imo is that the price is relatively affordable for a base model of one of his axes. that alone makes it unique. a base model fodera will still cost a butt load of money and the pinky off of your right hand.

im not missing anything construction or playability wise with my current vf5. the action is just as low as it was on my old fodera, the neck is rock solid and its more comfortable to my hands because of the narrower nut.

i would like to see some warmer toned woods in the bn series though.....

 

[RoboChrist]

i would like to see some warmer toned woods though in the bn series though.....

+1

I would love to try out an alder BN just to hear how it compares

 

[narud]

+1

I would love to try out an alder BN just to hear how it compares

man, i gotta stop typing so fast and hitting submit

 

[RoboChrist]

man, i gotta stop typing so fast and hitting submit

I know exactly what you mea

 

[RoboChrist]

n

 

[Vic]

im not that into the bn series either, but whats nice about geoges work imo is that the price is relatively affordable for a base model of one of his axes. that alone makes it unique. a base model fodera will still cost a butt load of money and the pinky off of your right hand.

Yes, but the BN is not alone in that sense. I can think of at least two other brands right off the top of my head where the baseline instrument is pretty modest for its market, and only when you start adding luxuries does the price really jump on you... just like the F Basses.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all trying to take away from George's work. It's NOTHING short of stellar... period. Just trying to be fair, 'cause there really are a lot of great luthiers out there doing similar things, deserving their due just like George does.

 

[puff father]

Finally, my VF5 and BN5 are here to join my F Bass family. Thank you Donovan and George!!!

Now I want to come over and visit you! That is a fabulous collection! Matching and everything!

 

[Dave Hill]

That's a heck of a F-amily you got there, Charles...awesome.

What is it about F basses that differentiates them from the rest of the pack of high end basses?

Design, preamp, versatility.

 

[felicidade1]

I believe that a great instrument must sounds good and plays well- meaning it will help the musician to become a better player. I am new to F Bass and only picked up my 1st F Bass (a fretless BNF5) a year ago. If not for the BNF, I would never consider playing a fretless. The whole design just make me feel COMFORTABLE and CONFIDENT in staying reasonably in tune on a fretless bass even without fretlines.

After spending a good year with the BNF5, I decided to just jump onto the F Bass bandwagon and ordered the BN5 and VF5 from Donovan.

There are definitely high-end basses out there that fulfill the above 2 requirements of good tone and good playability. But some do cost more than others (sometimes A LOT more). To me a F Bass is priced right (and fair) because I do get 'a lot of bass' for the price.

I have a good friend whio sold his MTD and Sadowsky Metro (and other gear) recently just to buy a Fodera. Now, I have not owned a Fodera but I seriously doubt that a Fodera can give me all the tone and versatility of my present family of F Bass. The irony is that they probably cost the same as a brand new Fodera MG5 (which is the only Fodera model that I like).

Of course, I don't deny that there's this 'extra magic/mojo' factor regarding the Fodera, or F Bass, or any other basses but then this is already highly subjective.

 

[narud]

There are definitely high-end basses out there that fulfill the above 2 requirements of good tone and good playability. But some do cost more than others (sometimes A LOT more). To me a F Bass is priced right (and fair) because I do get 'a lot of bass' for the price.

I have a good friend whio sold his MTD and Sadowsky Metro (and other gear) recently just to buy a Fodera. Now, I have not owned a Fodera but I seriously doubt that a Fodera can give me all the tone and versatility of my present family of F Bass. The irony is that they probably cost the same as a brand new Fodera MG5 (which is the only Fodera model that I like).

for the money i got from selling my fodera, i bought two vf5's and have a order in for a custom stambaugh....and have money left over. woot!

 

[ThumbyAche]

for the money i got from selling my fodera, i bought two vf5's and have a order in for a custom stambaugh....and have money left over. woot!

Dude...serious? Which ones did you get and from where?

 

[felicidade1]

for the money i got from selling my fodera, i bought two vf5's and have a order in for a custom stambaugh....and have money left over. woot!

Wow, a Fodera really cost a LOT more

 

[Tom7]

n

[Chuckle]

 

[Tom7]

Yes, but the BN is not alone in that sense. I can think of at least two other brands right off the top of my head where the baseline instrument is pretty modest for its market, and only when you start adding luxuries does the price really jump on you... just like the F Basses.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all trying to take away from George's work. It's NOTHING short of stellar... period. Just trying to be fair, 'cause there really are a lot of great luthiers out there doing similar things, deserving their due just like George does.

I don't think anyone meant to appear to be putting down any other great luthier, so I'm not sure they needed you to defend them. People were just trying to answer the question about why some of us like Fbasses.

And when I say the BNs have unique features, that is not saying they are the only basses that have great qualities, I'm saying there aren't other basses with the BN feature set.

More specifically, I'm talking about six string basses, not five. While I would consider (and still want to purchase) a lot of other makers' 5 string basses, my wish list for 6 string basses is MUCH shorter.

34.5 inches for me at least is the sweet spot for a 6 string bass, they tighten the B without making the C go tinny.

I love the meat of single coils, and the ability to tame it up (or cancel noise) with the yank of a knob.

I appreciate how the BN6 balances and is under me when I play. This alone killed the use of my Patitucci signature basses. Fatigue can be a factor when gigging a six string bass, so not fighting the neck or having your arm out there so long is nice.

There are no other basses I know of that have all three of these highly desirable traits for six string bassists.

I'm not saying every six string bassist wants these traits, I'm saying if you do, and want playability and tone in spades, the BN6 is it.

Again, to come to the rescue of other luthiers on this matter misses the point, because the topic is "What makes the Fbass stand out," not "Are Fbasses the best basses built."

 

[p0k]

Sigh...so it looks like my VF5 is on its way to california. You can take me off the list Tom. I love the bass and wish I didn't have to sell it, but I just needed the cash to get a new cab. I did at least trade for a Pedulla so that's not so bad

Hopefully i'll be back in the club someday!

 

[emjazz]

If you are a fan of "smooth," F Bass is in a class by itself. If you want a more aggressive sound, the preamp will get you there, too, but to my ears, George's basses do a naturally smooth, full-range tone better than any other bass out there.

I agree with the "smooth" comment. If I still played 6's with a wider spacing than I'd own an F bass. I had one for a while and it was killer, but I really wanted to put different pickups in it. They were too smooth for me. The playability of the bass and the preamp were worth the price of the bass though so switching out the pickups wouldn't have bothered me. Great basses.

edit: Joe, you have two now? Damn! What's the other one?

 

[thndrstk6]

Yeah I describe them as "wet". I noticed that companies like Alleva, Lakland, Sadowsky,
and so on, have a very dry type of tone. I think that Fbasses are different in that they
have a more wet, smooth, open sound to them. The VF series is a little more dry and
jazzy but it still has the Fbass open voice to it. That dry sound is the reason why I've
avoided some companies.

 

[thndrstk6]

BTW I've got some time on my hands if anyone needs a mockup. Even just for fun. PM me with your request. It's free if you we wondering.

 

[thndrstk6]

ThumbyAche, here's your mockups:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[thndrstk6]

I'm really liking the mint guard. The tort ones look like you could only bring them out once a year... if you know what I mean.