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Club Fbass (thread 13)

#2,821
Margus Alviste said:
Hey, you can count me in with two BN5 that unfortunately have not arrived yet. But they are on their way towards me.:)

PS! I was searching for a high end 5-string jazz bass for a while and was really surprised as I couldn't find any that suits my expectations - 19mm string spacing, light weight, resonant, perfect neck profile etc. I have had 3 Sadowskys, 2 Foderas, a Celinder, a Woodandtronics, A Nordy to name a few but all of them lacked something. I love the sound of the Atelier Z basses but their 5-strings are 18mm. Then I found a few FBasses on the used market that suit my needs. So the deals were made just by the specs and a few sound samples in youtube. I love the sound I hear there. But would you share more sound samples with your playing? Any links etc. I would love to hear specially the drum&bass only recordings but others are also welcome. Don't be shy about your playing, I am only interested in hearing the sound. You can share publicly or send me a PM. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Go to my band link below.
Vol 1 is all BN5 into a JDI.
 
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#2,824
Please don't stop the other conversations; I just thought I'd confess that I have been window shopping this BN5 for a bit now.

In addition to its AMAZING looks, that you are looking at the new F Bass humbuckers. They have a 3-way switch: series, parallel and single-coil.

The FBass BN5 is the single most versatile bass I've ever known of, and this new pickup type expands that even more.


odsdw3mdhuremqigxxa5.jpg
 
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#2,825
Tom7 said:
Please don't stop the other conversations; I just thought I'd confess that I have been window shopping this BN5 for a bit now.

In addition to its AMAZING looks, that you are looking at the new F Bass humbuckers. They have a 3-way switch: series, parallel and single-coil.

The FBass BN5 is the single most versatile bass I've ever known of, and this new pickup type expands that even more.


View attachment 3140554
Click to expand...


Yeah, GASsing really hard on these dual-coil Fbasses!
I asked if they could make VF model with those pickups, but its not option at the moment... :(
I would love 70's style VF5 with those pickups :)
 
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#2,826
JesseMalaska said:
Yeah, GASsing really hard on these dual-coil Fbasses!
I asked if they could make VF model with those pickups, but its not option at the moment... :(
I would love 70's style VF5 with those pickups :)
Click to expand...
Actually, my original plan for my VF6-PJ Fretless was to have a splittable dual coil in the Jazz position. But yes, Marcel advised me it wouldn't be possible, but that a dual coil was being developed for the BN series.
 
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#2,828
TolerancEJ said:
Actually, my original plan for my VF6-PJ Fretless was to have a splittable dual coil in the Jazz position. But yes, Marcel advised me it wouldn't be possible, but that a dual coil was being developed for the BN series.
Click to expand...
I suggest if at all possible to try this pick up configuration before committing to it. I was fortunate enough to try one of the first ones at the shop last year. I think photos may have popped up on this forum, it was purple with a flamed maple top. Anyways, I was intrigued and tried to coax every possible tone out of that baby. There were a plethora of tones all at my fingertips, but for me personally the pick ups were just too 'polite'. I opted to go in a different direction. Of course that's just my preference and everyone else may find them perfect for what they are looking for. Had I not had the chance to try it I would have been a little disappointed when my build was completed. So again if at all possible try one out first and see for yourself, but there is absolutely no question about the versatility of those pick ups.
 
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#2,829
wthompson007 said:
I suggest if at all possible to try this pick up configuration before committing to it. I was fortunate enough to try one of the first ones at the shop last year. I think photos may have popped up on this forum, it was purple with a flamed maple top. Anyways, I was intrigued and tried to coax every possible tone out of that baby. There were a plethora of tones all at my fingertips, but for me personally the pick ups were just too 'polite'. I opted to go in a different direction. Of course that's just my preference and everyone else may find them perfect for what they are looking for. Had I not had the chance to try it I would have been a little disappointed when my build was completed. So again if at all possible try one out first and see for yourself, but there is absolutely no question about the versatility of those pick ups.
Click to expand...
Very cool. I will leave my instrument as-is; PJ still sounds very good to me. I'll keep the dual coil in mind if I plan another FBass build in the future.
 
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#2,830
Dave Hill said:
If it fits in a BN, why wouldn’t it fit in a VJ?
Of course, when I tried to order a VPJ4 years ago, I was told it wasn’t an option. I got the VJ4, and it was nice, but eventually I sold it for a PJ. The heart wants what it wants. Lol.
Anyway, moral of the story is, give them a minute or find what you want elsewhere.
Click to expand...
That's a good question. I just took Marcel's word for it. FBass already uses a different set of pickups between the BN and VF, which I had assumed was for the purpose of the intended tonal range.

Looking at the FBass site now, comparing the BN6 and VF6, I see a few slight spec differences that "maybe" require separate pickups.

BN6: Width at Last Fret is 96mm. Fingerboard radius 10" - 16"

VF6: Width at Last Fret is 94mm. Fingerboard radius 9" - 14"

Since the BN6 is just a little wider at the last fret, "maybe" the BN6 has a little wider reach than the VF6. I cannot confirm this is the reason. It's my best guess. I've no idea if fingerboard radius would contribute to a difference.
 
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#2,831
For a while, I've been considering a custom built BN6 that starts off looking a lot like this BN5, but with differences.

1. I *think* (I'm not sure) I would like a large ebony inlay of a bass clef going across the front of the body. The woodwork would be expensive I'm sure because I'd like it to be side by side with the top wood — somewhat like Victor Wooten's Yin Yang basses are built.

2a. I *might* order an ebony finger board with the new BN6.

Because my BN5 has a maple finger board, all my current BN6s have ebony finger boards. I like my basses to have tonal variation from each other. So if I sell off my current BN6s, I'll want the new build to have an ebony board. On the other hand, if I keep any of my current BN6s, I'll probably want the new BN6 to have a maple finger board. I just haven't decided.

2b. If the bass has an ebony board, I may want blocks.

2c. If the bass has a maple finger board, then I'd like it just like this bass.

3. And now that these new dual coils exist, I want them for my hypothetical, new BN6.


dreamFbassBN5.jpg
 
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#2,832
Tom7 said:
For a while, I've been considering a custom built BN6 that starts off looking a lot like this BN5, but with differences.

1. I *think* (I'm not sure) I would like a large ebony inlay of a bass clef going across the front of the body. The woodwork would be expensive I'm sure because I'd like it to be side by side with the top wood — somewhat like Victor Wooten's Yin Yang basses are built.

2a. I *might* order an ebony finger board with the new BN6.

Because my BN5 has a maple finger board, all my current BN6s have ebony finger boards. I like my basses to have tonal variation from each other. So if I sell off my current BN6s, I'll want the new build to have an ebony board. On the other hand, if I keep any of my current BN6s, I'll probably want the new BN6 to have a maple finger board. I just haven't decided.

2b. If the bass has an ebony board, I may want blocks.

2c. If the bass has a maple finger board, then I'd like it just like this bass.

3. And now that these new dual coils exist, I want them for my hypothetical, new BN6.


View attachment 3141177
Click to expand...
Sounds like an awesome bass!
 
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#2,833
Tom7 said:
Please don't stop the other conversations; I just thought I'd confess that I have been window shopping this BN5 for a bit now.

In addition to its AMAZING looks, that you are looking at the new F Bass humbuckers. They have a 3-way switch: series, parallel and single-coil.

The FBass BN5 is the single most versatile bass I've ever known of, and this new pickup type expands that even more.


View attachment 3140554
Click to expand...

I loved those humbuckers at NAMM!
 
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#2,834
tombowlus said:
I loved those humbuckers at NAMM!
Click to expand...
They are really good pups aren't they? I couldn't believe the flexibility. I had a blast toggling from tone to tone to tone with still more tones are my fingertips. I guess at the time I was looking for a bulldog of a jazz bass and the aggies had exactly the tone I was looking for. Very aggressive without sounding brittle. Revisiting the experience, should my next build be more 'boutiquey' those pups will get careful consideration. They're just sooo versatile!
 
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#2,835
Well, I picked up one of the limited run of Studio basses from the 2015. It's nearly unplayed, basically new condition. Auburn burst finish, 34" scale, (instead of the 34.5" that's standard on BNs), Ash body, Rosewood board.

Just threw on a fresh set of strings and did a setup. All I can say is wow! I didn't think it was possible, but the construction on this one might be even better than my VF5. And that bass is among the best built I've ever owned. I really like the radius-ed pickups (I tend to be a ramp player). And the hum cancelling option is great to have if needed. I was hoping for a bit warmer/smoother tone than my VF5 (ash/maple) and that's exactly what I believe I've got.

FBass Studio.jpg
 
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#2,836
Chace90 said:
Well, I picked up one of the limited run of Studio basses from the 2015. It's nearly unplayed, basically new condition. Auburn burst finish, 34" scale, (instead of the 34.5" that's standard on BNs), Ash body, Rosewood board.

Just threw on a fresh set of strings and did a setup. All I can say is wow! I didn't think it was possible, but the construction on this one might be even better than my VF5. And that bass is among the best built I've ever owned. I really like the radius-ed pickups (I tend to be a ramp player). And the hum cancelling option is great to have if needed. I was hoping for a bit warmer/smoother tone than my VF5 (ash/maple) and that's exactly what I believe I've got.

View attachment 3146914
Click to expand...
 
#2,838
Chace90 said:
Well, I picked up one of the limited run of Studio basses from the 2015. It's nearly unplayed, basically new condition. Auburn burst finish, 34" scale, (instead of the 34.5" that's standard on BNs), Ash body, Rosewood board.

Just threw on a fresh set of strings and did a setup. All I can say is wow! I didn't think it was possible, but the construction on this one might be even better than my VF5. And that bass is among the best built I've ever owned. I really like the radius-ed pickups (I tend to be a ramp player). And the hum cancelling option is great to have if needed. I was hoping for a bit warmer/smoother tone than my VF5 (ash/maple) and that's exactly what I believe I've got.

View attachment 3146914
Click to expand...

possibly the best looking non-topped BN5 on the planet. Congrats, awesome score!
 
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