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I having the same problem, owned two and then sold them. Went out my mind trying to replace my BN5. I finally got hold of another one. Never selling this one unless I'm not able to play anymore. The tone of these basses are unreal.
I have owned many High end boutique basses and have always come back to FBASS...at this point in my career I have sold all my basses except my FBASS's...My new custom BNF6 "Wallace" will start construction very soon!!
Cant Wait!!
I'm an Fbass lifer as well. I made the mistake of selling a BN5 when I was trying to find "the one", and subsequently tried bunches of high-end basses (helps to have a boutique bass only store near-by). I ended up buying two of my favorites, another BN5 and a Sadowsky, so I could put them head to head in the real world and take my time in choosing. It didn't take long at all for me to realize I greatly preferred the BN5. So long Sadowsky! I have been gas free for over ten years now, having no desire to even try other basses anymore. The BN5 is truly my "one".
I have owned and played about 15 or so MTD basses for the last 9 years and each time with different wood combo just to find "the" tone in my head but last year i decided to give F Bass a try and voila!!!
F Bass is so versatile i can dial a thick vintage 70's tone or pure modern gospel tone with that sweet bright high end for slapping/popping or just simply play rock with a turn of a button. Combined with Tecamp Puma is a real plus, they're made for each other! So there you go.
F Bass is so versatile i can dial a thick vintage 70's tone or pure modern gospel tone with that sweet bright high end for slapping/popping or just simply play rock with a turn of a button. Combined with Tecamp Puma is a real plus, they're made for each other! So there you go.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
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- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Same here, I've owned about 6 F's of various types over the years, and this latest one is IT for me. Ash maple VF into the puma 900 is fan frickin tastic. Vintage sounds, modern sounds and everything I need in between. And a slap sound that makes you wanna smack your mama
Lol! I can't say enough good things about Fbass . I'm still getting acquainted with my vf5 rosewood. It's a warm and thick sound! Blues, R&B and reggae!
just from the last few posts... how many of us own the TecAmp Puma and FBASS's!!!...I love my combination...I also use the TecAmp M212 with the PUma 900
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I have 'em both and use them fairly often. My BN5 has been one of my "go-to" basses for comparative purposes when reviewing other basses, and lately, my Puma 900 & S212 have become one of my "go-to" rigs for the same purpose.
Thinking about eventually getting some black strings for my BN5. Should I go with tapered DR Black Beauties (.130 B string), or just standard?
I wear Black Beauties on my fretted AC6, and I am not going back. While the tone of the FBasses is incredible, the pu/pickup combination is quite unforgiving if you do not pay extra care to your technique (harmonics will start resonating all over the place). I found the Black Beauties to mute that 1/100 of the harmonics and allow me to express the sound I want.
I do not do much slapping, I wouldn't recommend them for slapping but for soloing/finger work they are amazing.
Thanks for that post, Tom. I think it is fascinating that the BN5 has become an industry benchmark... and I feel a bit sheepish that I discovered BN5 mojo pretty much by accident. At least I got it eventually.I have 'em both and use them fairly often. My BN5 has been one of my "go-to" basses for comparative purposes when reviewing other basses, and lately, my Puma 900 & S212 have become one of my "go-to" rigs for the same purpose.
But it's likewise interesting about Puma and TechAmp as well. My rigs aren't too mainstream. Although I *love* my Demeter head and Accugroove El Whappo, I do wonder sometimes what I might be missing -- if anything.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Tom, I was an el whappo man (and a Demeter preamp man as well) for years and recently added some new gear to the arsenal. If you're missing anything, it's some mid/upper mid presence and some accentuated treble. After a while with the EW, traditional bass cab tweeters can sound a bit brash and hyped, just like players used to that sound can tend to think of the EW as polite. Nothing kicks down low like an el whappo though.
Sounds like a great rig, if you love the sound, you're not missing anything.
Sounds like a great rig, if you love the sound, you're not missing anything.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- 19,942
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
+1 I will add that if you like the tone of the EW, but want to move the overall tonal balance up a bit (bring the mids/highs a bit more in line with the lows), then you might want to try the Whappo, Jr. I still love my Whappo, Jr., and I think it's the best sounding cab in the (former) Accugroove line. I had an El Whappo for a while, but sold it, as I preferred the tonal balance of the Jr. The Tri 115L is another favorite of mine from Accugroove.
Speaking of Demeter, did you guys see the new 800-watt (tube front end) head he introduced at NAMM? Man, is it nice! The VTBP-M-800D.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I *really* appreciate that feedback. Thanks. Being in Alaska and unable to try gear for myself, I relied very heavily on trusted opinions and reviews when I bought that rig. Your describing the EW as "polite" made me smile because the most influential review I saw was by Nathan East, whose tone I adore. And yes, it is quite polite. Clean.
Very cool. I notice you guys at Bass Gear Magazine gave the Demeter VTBP-M-800D a VTBP-M-800D.
When I was buying my head the guys at Demeter were wonderful to work with. I like it when the good guys do well.
I've only played one F bass, at Bass Central almost 10 years ago. That and the Dingwall Prima were the 2 standouts from that vist. Both Canadian-made. Go figure!
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