Club Fbass (thread 13)

[wthompson007]

I sent Marcel an email this morning for an update. Turns out my update came from you.

Your finish choice sounds intriguing. I can't wait to see the final product.

That looks real good. I'm getting a Tort pickguard on mine.

That blue with tort is gonna be a real looker not to mention the unique configuration. It won't be long now.

 

[BassJuju]

Don't quote me on this but Marcel said yours should be completed in about 2 weeks. Lucky bugger!
My finish is going to be something they've never done before. It's a variation of an auburn fade with walnut grain enhancement. If it turns out like I'm hoping it should be awesome.
Check out these BNs with with VF pickguards they're working on now. Pretty cool.View attachment 3016835 View attachment 3016836

Those are sweet... Love the P/G on the BN.

 

[TolerancEJ]

After @wthompson007 provided my FBass update for me a little earlier, I also received Marcel's reply to my email this morning. He sent 2 more pictures.

 

[Dave Hill]

A few blasts from the past:

 

[jim nolte]

Don't quote me on this but Marcel said yours should be completed in about 2 weeks. Lucky bugger!
My finish is going to be something they've never done before. It's a variation of an auburn fade with walnut grain enhancement. If it turns out like I'm hoping it should be awesome.
Check out these BNs with with VF pickguards they're working on now. Pretty cool.View attachment 3016835 View attachment 3016836

Pick guards on BNs? I had George make this 18 years ago, it has the original soft nitro that started to wear within the first couple of weeks. It's a '99 and has P pups under the shells so no coil splitter . That and my '65 Jazz Bass are the best basses I've ever played !!

 

[wthompson007]

View attachment 3017775
Pick guards on BNs? I had George make this 18 years ago, it has the original soft nitro that started to wear within the first couple of weeks. It's a '99 and has P pups under the shells so no coil splitter . That and my '65 Jazz Bass are the best basses I've ever played !!

Cool double strap pins. Do you use them both?
I think they're going for more contrast now with the pick guards, compared to the clear one you have.
I love to see nice grain patterns though and it would have been a shame to cover yours up.

 

[jim nolte]

Cool double strap pins. Do you use them both?
I think they're going for more contrast now with the pick guards, compared to the clear one you have.
I love to see nice grain patterns though and it would have been a shame to cover yours up.

I just use the one on the end as it gives a sharper break angle on my back as all my other basses have had and I can use the same strap on different basses without having to adjust it. It's funny when the VFs first came out I realized that in a way I was trying to make my BN into one before they existed!

 

[bass08053]

So, I’m just trying to get my options together for ordering my BNF5. Here’s what I have so far before I call Marcel. Pretty standard. Any recommendations? Do I need the pearloid serial number? Do they still do the sticker like they used to if I don’t pick anything?


Satin Charcoal Burst (Black Grain)
Vintage Tint Neck
Thumb rest

 

[pbass6811]

So, I’m just trying to get my options together for ordering my BNF5. Here’s what I have so far before I call Marcel. Pretty standard. Any recommendations? Do I need the pearloid serial number? Do they still do the sticker like they used to if I don’t pick anything?


Satin Charcoal Burst (Black Grain)
Vintage Tint Neck
Thumb rest

Sticker on every one of them, my man.

As far as the pearloid serial number, I think they look super cool, but I also think there are better ways to spend $350. If I had to spend that $350, I'd probably put it towards an ebony bridge or a 5-pc neck. I spent my extra $350 on maple fret lines.

It sounds like it's gonna be a killer BNF!

 

[bass08053]

Sticker on every one of them, my man.

As far as the pearloid serial number, I think they look super cool, but I also think there are better ways to spend $350. If I had to spend that $350, I'd probably put it towards an ebony bridge or a 5-pc neck. I spent my extra $350 on maple fret lines.

It sounds like it's gonna be a killer BNF!

Thanks! I’ve put this off for too long and still have a 7 month wait once ordered. Considered fretlines and 5 piece neck, but I don’t know the advantages of that neck if anyone can share. Maybe instead of lines I could get those illuminated dots I saw someone had?

 

[pbass6811]

Thanks! I’ve put this off for too long and still have a 7 month wait once ordered. Considered fretlines and 5 piece neck, but I don’t know the advantages of that neck if anyone can share. Maybe instead of lines I could get those illuminated dots I saw someone had?

From my understanding, the more laminates, the less susceptible the neck is to moving during extreme weather changes. I'm guessing there's probably a difference in note articulation, but I'm not sure of the theory behind that.

I really wanted to go with no lines, but I'm just not a good enough fretless player for that. I didn't want to buy a really nice fretless bass, and then not play it because I sound like crap on it, LOL! Besides, if Ryan Martinie can rock a lined fretless, I guess I can too. One day, I'll graduate to an unlined fretless...

I was gonna put it off, but when I found out that this is the last year for the BNF, I decided to bite the bullet and get it done. We may be getting two of the last BNF's???

 

[bass08053]

From my understanding, the more laminates, the less susceptible the neck is to moving during extreme weather changes. I'm guessing there's probably a difference in note articulation, but I'm not sure of the theory behind that.

I really wanted to go with no lines, but I'm just not a good enough fretless player for that. I didn't want to buy a really nice fretless bass, and then not play it because I sound like crap on it, LOL! Besides, if Ryan Martinie can rock a lined fretless, I guess I can too. One day, I'll graduate to an unlined fretless...

I was gonna put it off, but when I found out that this is the last year for the BNF, I decided to bite the bullet and get it done. We may be getting two of the last BNF's???

I don’t know how I’ll handle it either. Used to play upright but I only have an NS upright now. I’m tempted to take a leap of faith and go blind. Haha. It’s just such a beautiful board when it’s naked gaboon ebony. You are right. Some of the greatest of all time had lines, but that’s not my main issue. Speaking of Ryan.. he’s in a band with my old teacher in North Carolina. Soften The Glare. Check em out.

I’ll see what Marcel says about that theory of laminates.

 

[pbass6811]

I don’t know how I’ll handle it either. Used to play upright but I only have an NS upright now. I’m tempted to take a leap of faith and go blind. Haha. It’s just such a beautiful board when it’s naked gaboon ebony. You are right. Some of the greatest of all time had lines, but that’s not my main issue. Speaking of Ryan.. he’s in a band with my old teacher in North Carolina. Soften The Glare. Check em out.

I’ll see what Marcel says about that theory of laminates.

Soften The Glare has been rocking my world for a few months now! I think I've watched everything of theirs on YT about a zillion times! I do love that band! They all look like they're having a blast playing music together! Bon is a PHENOMENAL guitarist and Mitch is just beast!

Speaking of YouTube, this was in my recommended list:



Nice interview with George AND Alain Caron! The interview was more geared towards George, but hearing Alain play and talk is always a beautiful thing! The mutual love and respect that George and Alain have is pretty obvious and real!

 

[bass08053]

Soften The Glare has been rocking my world for a few months now! I think I've watched everything of theirs on YT about a zillion times! I do love that band! They all look like they're having a blast playing music together! Bon is a PHENOMENAL guitarist and Mitch is just beast!

Speaking of YouTube, this was in my recommended list:



Nice interview with George AND Alain Caron! The interview was more geared towards George, but hearing Alain play and talk is always a beautiful thing! The mutual love and respect that George and Alain have is pretty obvious and real!

Bon is an amazing player as you know. He was a great bass teacher as well back in South Jersey in the 90’s. Gave me the fundamentals I needed. He’s played with so many great players. I need to get back in touch with him.

George and Al. A great combo! I like that the video shows F Bass evolution and how they helped each other to achieve improvements in all our F’s over the years.

 

[pbass6811]

There are a few guys who have the ability to make a conversation or even a dissertation interesting enough to keep you involved the whole time. When it comes to music and bass guitar, I could sit and listen to George and Alain all day! I could also listen to Victor Wooten and Amos Williams from TesseracT. Those guys could talk about bass guitar stuff all day and it would be interesting.

OTOH, there are guys that I admire and love that I can't stand listening to. One of my bass heroes is Doug Wimbish. Love the guy, can't listen to him. Weird.

 

[bass08053]

I did it! I finally ordered my bass! I was going over the specs so many times and it just took a phone call with Marcel to cement everything. He really took the time to go over every little detail as standard as my bass will be. I think she’s going to be a fierce beautiful creature when she’s all done. There is a cue of BNF basses going in ASAP if you are thinking about ordering. Just saying. See the attachment for specs. Ended up going with fretlines. No shame in my game!

 

[Dave Hill]

View attachment 3019189 I did it! I finally ordered my bass! I was going over the specs so many times and it just took a phone call with Marcel to cement everything. He really took the time to go over every little detail as standard as my bass will be. I think she’s going to be a fierce beautiful creature when she’s all done. There is a cue of BNF basses going in ASAP if you are thinking about ordering. Just saying. See the attachment for specs. Ended up going with fretlines. No shame in my game!

Congrats!
My only suggestion would be lose the fretlines. The edge lines and dots they put on there are really all you’ll need. And the “naked” fretboard looks so good!

 

[bass08053]

Congrats!
My only suggestion would be lose the fretlines. The edge lines and dots they put on there are really all you’ll need. And the “naked” fretboard looks so good!

I’m debating it as we speak. Love the naked look. You personally find you didn’t need them on your BNF?

 

[Dave Hill]

I’m debating it as we speak. Love the naked look. You personally find you didn’t need them on your BNF?

Nope. Like I said, you have the edge lines and dots. Once you get the feel of the bass, you play by ear anyway.

 

[BassJuju]

I’m debating it as we speak. Love the naked look. You personally find you didn’t need them on your BNF?

Congratulations! This is very cool. I’d also second the advice from @Dave Hill as I find the side dots and lines to be more than enough. It will be sweet either way, because t way cooler without the lines.