I had a bnf5 that was outstanding. All black...
But, my BN5 is such a gem... it’s hard to play anything else.
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I had a bnf5 that was outstanding. All black...
But, my BN5 is such a gem... it’s hard to play anything else.
That’s the one... I like everything about the other 2 I have and think this will complete the set.
I’ve played around with a few of my Basses today and looked at a lot of others on line, I freely admit that all of what I’m about to say is opinion and what I like, but I suspect a few of you will agree. We all like F Basses here and I’ve certainly become a fan boy. I have several nice Basses from other manufacturers and I liked them a lot when I bought them... still do. Having said that, none of them are as well made and refined as the F’s. I have 3 jazzes including a VF5. The VF5 is perfectly balanced, has great tone, and looks like a work of art. The Aguilar pickups are amazing. Dead silent regardless of how they are voiced. I’ve never been a fan of round wound strings. Until now. The VF has nickel lo-riders installed and they are amazing. The BN6 had unknown strings on it when I got it used and I liked them, but since I couldn’t be sure what they were, I decided to try Georges pick. The exposed cores are maybe the best sounding string I’ve ever played. From a fit/finish perspective, the BN6 is so well turned that there is barely a square angle to be found. For its size and tone, it’s lighter than one would expect. When I play these Basses I get compliments from those in the audience. I’m not significantly better, but my tone is. I can site examples and quote people in this regard, but I know the difference is the Basses. They cut through the mix. When I played at one of the other campuses, the sound guy asked what that low string was and if I knew the Hz. He said he’d never heard anything like it before in that room. He knew a low B because the keys has that, but he said the overtones from the bass were awesome! Tone like no other.
Svelte. Refined. Art. Tone. The physical manefestation of art and sound.
Svelte. Refined. Art. Tone. The physical manefestation of art and sound.
@BassJuju Damn, you’re making me anxious for my upcoming VF6-PJ Fretless.
Sorry... didn't mean to GAS ya! But, that does sound amazing. Im looking forward to seeing it.
Don't know who can chime in here, I've been searching for info but I've been coming up short.
So the Alleva Coppolo pickup option isn't on the Fbass site, but I've been noticing a few players getting basses with them.
I have a VF5 ash/maple 70s and I'm looking for a 5 string PJ from them. The Aguilar PJ set definitely has a "vintage-ish" tone but still leans towards the modern side (probably due to the HC Aggie bridge pickup with their P5 pickup which to my ears is slightly mid shy compared to the Fender stuff)
My VF5 has the original F Bass singles which is why I think I like it so much. Can anyone share their AC Pickup experience in an F Bass?
Thanks!
So the Alleva Coppolo pickup option isn't on the Fbass site, but I've been noticing a few players getting basses with them.
I have a VF5 ash/maple 70s and I'm looking for a 5 string PJ from them. The Aguilar PJ set definitely has a "vintage-ish" tone but still leans towards the modern side (probably due to the HC Aggie bridge pickup with their P5 pickup which to my ears is slightly mid shy compared to the Fender stuff)
My VF5 has the original F Bass singles which is why I think I like it so much. Can anyone share their AC Pickup experience in an F Bass?
Thanks!
I’ve had both in my VF pj 5.
Right off I like both for different reasons and it depends on what you want to get out of it. The Aggies to my ear have a bigger overall tone..a bit more bottom end in both and a little fuller tone in the back pup. To me the Aggie humcancelling J is a great sounding pup with no hum. It also sounds a little more updated or modern than a pure single coil..as they all do to my ear and this one is no exception. The Coppolos to me sound a little more on the vintage side with a certain growl and maybe a tad quieter output and a little more noise...kinda like an old Fender. But they do have a transparancy to the wood.
So there is a definite benefit to not having the hum with the Aggies and having a little more heft...it sits well in its own way and the solid back pup has a kinda full power to it that is seductive. So just to be clear, IMO the Aggies have enough Fender tone and the Coppolos have enough fullness and heft, they just emphasize different things.
Forgot to add, Coppolo pups can still be requested but the eta on them from Jimmy can be tricky, both FBass and Jimmy are addressing that now. To sure what the eventual outcome of that will be but talk to FBass when you order to see where things are at.
Cheers.
Right off I like both for different reasons and it depends on what you want to get out of it. The Aggies to my ear have a bigger overall tone..a bit more bottom end in both and a little fuller tone in the back pup. To me the Aggie humcancelling J is a great sounding pup with no hum. It also sounds a little more updated or modern than a pure single coil..as they all do to my ear and this one is no exception. The Coppolos to me sound a little more on the vintage side with a certain growl and maybe a tad quieter output and a little more noise...kinda like an old Fender. But they do have a transparancy to the wood.
So there is a definite benefit to not having the hum with the Aggies and having a little more heft...it sits well in its own way and the solid back pup has a kinda full power to it that is seductive. So just to be clear, IMO the Aggies have enough Fender tone and the Coppolos have enough fullness and heft, they just emphasize different things.
Forgot to add, Coppolo pups can still be requested but the eta on them from Jimmy can be tricky, both FBass and Jimmy are addressing that now. To sure what the eventual outcome of that will be but talk to FBass when you order to see where things are at.
Cheers.
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Dudes I have an beautiful VF5 order in production. I can’t make up my mind between the A style and bent plate bridge. Any advice? Also add string through?
Thank you!
Thank you!
If I were choosing based solely on what I wanted, I ' d choose the A style bridge and String through. Having said that, I have 2 F's at this time and neither are string through and they are my best sounding/sustaining basses I own. The VF has the bent plate bridge and it works fine on all accounts at this point. Hope that helps.
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
In my opinion the bent plate will have the more traditional sound/envelope, whereas the a style will be more compressed with more sustain. I like A styles on BN’s and prefer the bent plate on VF’s as those bridges reinforce the design goals of those two models. Back when I was bridge swapping on my BN6 I was really surprised how much effect it had on tone switching from aluminum B style to brass A style. It’s a testament to how sensitive and responsive these Basses are.
If it were me I'd go bent plate, but not the Hipshot, the Fbass version. George put that on my Studio when I told him the sound I was after, which was a BN with "mid-personality"....and it nailed the tone.
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I wasn't aware there was a Hipshot bent plate AND a non Hipshot bent plate bridge. Last I checked all of their metal bridges were made by hipshot. Maybe someone in the know can confirm?
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,073
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- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Sounds good I was leaning more towards the bent plate anyways. Can’t wait to share the build with you guys. It’s gonns be a beauty!
Long ways to go though. Around April till completion.
Thanks for the advice!
Long ways to go though. Around April till completion.
Thanks for the advice!
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,073
- 9,789
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I was just playing around on the F bass "bass builder" site. Danger Will Robinson!!!! (what a great way to get peoples juices flowing and thinking about their dream bass).
Here is my "within reason" (read: not every available option) spec sheet for what I would get if I could right now.
Never seen a BN6 with violin satin finish and no topwood. Bet that would be elegant and sexy. Whats yours look like?
Here is my "within reason" (read: not every available option) spec sheet for what I would get if I could right now.
Never seen a BN6 with violin satin finish and no topwood. Bet that would be elegant and sexy. Whats yours look like?
I asked that question a while back. I believe it’s called Auburn burst. There are photos around. I think the violinburst in the AC’s is about the classiest thing I’ve ever seen in a bass, but the auburn burst on a BN is wicked hot too. I’d say you got a sweet bass rolling there. I’d love to see it.
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
This is the color that Marcel pointed me to when I asked that question a few months ago.
F Bass BN5 Auburn Burst
