Ordered a BN5 to compliment my VF. Can't wait! 34 inch scale, VF neck, narrower nut and purple burst finish.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Glad to see there's still some Fbass love out there. The waiting is the hardest part.
Grats!! That’s an interesting combination. I’m looking forward to seeing it!!
Tech question for all you F-Bass Experts. Any idea if the neck on an 18mm VF5 will accommodate 19mm spacing or are those necks cut narrower.
In other words can a factory 18mm VF just have the bridge swapped to be converted to a 19mm or will the strings slip off the sides?
In other words can a factory 18mm VF just have the bridge swapped to be converted to a 19mm or will the strings slip off the sides?
I tend to believe they’re different sizes. Back when I planned my VF6-PJ, my original request was to include a P and humbucker switchable to single coil. At the time Marcel said it wasn’t possible, but they were preparing humbuckers for the BN6 (which had since been released.)
It depends. Some customers pay to have the neck reduced to fit the 19mm, others keep the neck the same and just use an adjustable bridge or an 18mm bridge. You can ask the folks at FBass for what the measurements would be for a 19mm and 18mm neck and see what you have.
Hey guys, please add me to the club with my two BN5! There are two stories related to these basses - a not so great and a great story.
First I bought a used BN5 from a talkbass user Greg_S from US. He was an absolutely great guy to deal with. He really tried to find the best options for the shipping and found a way to send the bass in two parcels (the neck and the body separately). He even managed to pack the gig bag to the cardboard. The shipping company he used for the shipping was USPS. When I finally got the bass I discovered that the neck was broken into pieces. It was in fact in really bad shape. I was shocked as it is not so easy to find any FBasses in this part of the world. I informed the seller and he offered all money back. That didn't feel like a fair solution for me. We agreed that I shall make a research of the possible solutions and then decide which way to go. I wrote to George about the new neck but the price together with the shipping was even more than what I paid for the whole bass. So I started to find somebody who could repair the neck locally.
I took the broken neck to the local luthier Mr Kalle Tombak (Tombak Guitars) who is a bass bass player himself but who mostly builds and repairs pianos. He was first a bit sceptical but then took a job. He said it would have been even cheaper to order a completely new neck from him.
I inform the seller about the cost of the repair and ask him if he could pay half of it. He agreed and I let the luthier do his job. Meanwhile I discovered that Greg had wired me the whole amount of the repairing cost. What an amazing guy and a gentleman he is! So I put my part of the repairing cost extra and asked the luthier to refinish the bass (it was already refinished before I got it). Kalle Tombak made amazing work with the bass. The damage the bass had got is hardly seen now. It takes some serious investigation to discover any crack. The neck is rock solid and plays flawlessly. And so I got this wonderful sea-through-blue BN5 with the unusual natural neck heel (love that!). It plays and especially records extremely well. Sounds really amazing through my Glockenklang rig.
PS! I will continue with my another FBass story in my next post.
First I bought a used BN5 from a talkbass user Greg_S from US. He was an absolutely great guy to deal with. He really tried to find the best options for the shipping and found a way to send the bass in two parcels (the neck and the body separately). He even managed to pack the gig bag to the cardboard. The shipping company he used for the shipping was USPS. When I finally got the bass I discovered that the neck was broken into pieces. It was in fact in really bad shape. I was shocked as it is not so easy to find any FBasses in this part of the world. I informed the seller and he offered all money back. That didn't feel like a fair solution for me. We agreed that I shall make a research of the possible solutions and then decide which way to go. I wrote to George about the new neck but the price together with the shipping was even more than what I paid for the whole bass. So I started to find somebody who could repair the neck locally.
I took the broken neck to the local luthier Mr Kalle Tombak (Tombak Guitars) who is a bass bass player himself but who mostly builds and repairs pianos. He was first a bit sceptical but then took a job. He said it would have been even cheaper to order a completely new neck from him.
I inform the seller about the cost of the repair and ask him if he could pay half of it. He agreed and I let the luthier do his job. Meanwhile I discovered that Greg had wired me the whole amount of the repairing cost. What an amazing guy and a gentleman he is! So I put my part of the repairing cost extra and asked the luthier to refinish the bass (it was already refinished before I got it). Kalle Tombak made amazing work with the bass. The damage the bass had got is hardly seen now. It takes some serious investigation to discover any crack. The neck is rock solid and plays flawlessly. And so I got this wonderful sea-through-blue BN5 with the unusual natural neck heel (love that!). It plays and especially records extremely well. Sounds really amazing through my Glockenklang rig.
PS! I will continue with my another FBass story in my next post.
Attachments
The other story is much less tragical. I found a guy in Italy who offered his older BN5 as a trade. Someone had ripped down the original finish and covered it with red stain. No lacquer was added. I offered my US Lakland for the trade and we finished the deal. So I got this early BN5. It's really light and one of the most responsive basses I have ever hold in my hands. This one will get a refinish pretty soon! 
Attachments
Thanks! Already enjoying! Their playability is really awesome. And they sound great too.
Sweet! I think that means mine will be ready about then, as well! That makes me happy...
Shot in the dark here, but has anyone replaced the vol/vol pots in their F-bass with vol/buffered blend? I had buffered blend with my old audere setup and it was fantastic.
Last edited:
I don’t know if it’s a beffered blend, but both of my BN5’s are Volume / Blend setup from the factory.
I prefer vol/blend to Vol/Vol for simplicity live.
I prefer vol/blend to Vol/Vol for simplicity live.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,941
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Not I, but then, I am a definite vol/vol fan...
Every bass I had owned before had been vol/blend.
All three of my Fbasses are vol/vol. Both combinations have their benefits, but the longer I live with the vol/vol the more I'm appreciating the two volume knobs for the complete control they give.
Hmm, sounds like I need to learn how to use vol/vol properly!
For those who like it, would you mind sharing what your technique or approach is?
For those who like it, would you mind sharing what your technique or approach is?
Just ordered my first custom fbass vf6! looking forward to being a member of the club
Mine is with volume blend because I can control both pickups at the same time when doing volume swells and things!
Mine is with volume blend because I can control both pickups at the same time when doing volume swells and things!
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
