I couldn't agree with you more about Wes's tone in that clip — and the tone of Fbasses for that matter. I've used that clip too to introduce people to what BN5s sound like.
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I couldn't agree with you more about Wes's tone in that clip — and the tone of Fbasses for that matter. I've used that clip too to introduce people to what BN5s sound like.
The only one! That's pretty cool. And yes, the FBass B string was a factor in me selling off my great basses from other brands. That B just wasn't enough for me after playing Fs.
I agree, I wanted the metal bridge to set easily the bass like I want without using those tapered strings I don’t like. This one has also a 24 frets fingerboard which is pretty cool for the right hand.
It’s my first Fbass and I can say it’s above my expectations. I’ve found an instrument that pushes me to be a better player. I’m planning to order a fretted BN5 pretty soon.
My shipment arrived earlier today and I've been playing her for a few hours now...
Let me preface this by saying that I have been extraordinarily lucky over the past few years to be in a situation where I've been able to own some of the finest basses ever made. The biggest, most boutique brands you can think of, I've probably owned them. It wasn't always that way, trust me, I've spent most of my life playing production instruments that you could get for a few hundred bucks.
After going through several very nice boutique basses, I started to understand that beyond the hype that accompanies these types of instruments, nothing is really perfect. I was always able to make a pros/cons list of stuff I liked and stuff I thought could be improved, usually within the first few hours.
I don't want to name brands, but there were pickups that I didn't quite care for, or preamps that just seemed less than ideal, fretwork and/or construction aspects that didn't quite seem like they commanded the super high price tag, etc. I still own some of these basses and I still love them for what they are. But... I also came to understand that "hype" is a universal thing and that no bass really lives up to it.
In regards to that, my mind has been changed.
This FBass is the very essence of "boutique" and what I had previously thought was just hype and too lofty of an expectation to be realistic.
There are a lot of things I could say, but I just want to let my first impressions sink in over the course of the next week or so before I say anymore. However, out of all the super, super nice basses that I have owned, nothing has blown me away more than this FBass BN5. The sound, the neck, the fretwork, the quality of construction, the preamp, the pickups... there is nothing that I would change. And if you find a YouTube video with the greatest sounding FBass you've ever heard, that is no mastering or EQ trick. That is exactly what that bass sounds like by its nature.
Again, I'm stunned, and on my Pros and Cons list so far, the only "Con" is that I don't have the money to buy another FBass. Maybe it's time to sell off some of my other boutique instruments?
Let me preface this by saying that I have been extraordinarily lucky over the past few years to be in a situation where I've been able to own some of the finest basses ever made. The biggest, most boutique brands you can think of, I've probably owned them. It wasn't always that way, trust me, I've spent most of my life playing production instruments that you could get for a few hundred bucks.
After going through several very nice boutique basses, I started to understand that beyond the hype that accompanies these types of instruments, nothing is really perfect. I was always able to make a pros/cons list of stuff I liked and stuff I thought could be improved, usually within the first few hours.
I don't want to name brands, but there were pickups that I didn't quite care for, or preamps that just seemed less than ideal, fretwork and/or construction aspects that didn't quite seem like they commanded the super high price tag, etc. I still own some of these basses and I still love them for what they are. But... I also came to understand that "hype" is a universal thing and that no bass really lives up to it.
In regards to that, my mind has been changed.
This FBass is the very essence of "boutique" and what I had previously thought was just hype and too lofty of an expectation to be realistic.
There are a lot of things I could say, but I just want to let my first impressions sink in over the course of the next week or so before I say anymore. However, out of all the super, super nice basses that I have owned, nothing has blown me away more than this FBass BN5. The sound, the neck, the fretwork, the quality of construction, the preamp, the pickups... there is nothing that I would change. And if you find a YouTube video with the greatest sounding FBass you've ever heard, that is no mastering or EQ trick. That is exactly what that bass sounds like by its nature.
Again, I'm stunned, and on my Pros and Cons list so far, the only "Con" is that I don't have the money to buy another FBass. Maybe it's time to sell off some of my other boutique instruments?
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This is a genuine concern I have about trying one.
So much to love and appreciate about Fbasses...
The feel, tone, look.
Original design, tweaked to perfection over 40 yrs.
All hand made in one shop.
A relative bargain compared to other boutique instruments, most of which I have played....
none of which top my now 16-yr old BN5
The feel, tone, look.
Original design, tweaked to perfection over 40 yrs.
All hand made in one shop.
A relative bargain compared to other boutique instruments, most of which I have played....
none of which top my now 16-yr old BN5
Well said! I'm excited for you to discover your BN5 more as you get to know it.
I have owned pretty much every boutique bass you can name. My first FBass was a BN5, and I literally bought it because I had only 4s and 6ers, felt I should have a 5er and love the look of the BN5 (body shape and pretty wood).
Once in my home though, I began to realize that FBass has a different philosophy than the other boutique bass maker: George obsesses and experiments and innovates over every little aspect of a bass that can make it better for a gigging bassist.
I'm a sucker for pretty wood. Luthiers who focus on pretty basses turn my head every time. I've bought their basses for their reputation and their looks and I've liked them. However, I have actually brought some of these basses to gigs "as a back" so it could sit there pretty on stage for people to notice while I play my pretty FBasses all night.
Everything about an FBass was made thoughtfully, and with us players in mind, not the glory of the luthier.
Just take how FBasses balance on the strap — and I'm not just talking BNs, but VFs and ACs as well. Just this little thing helps with the playability of a bass and with our fatigue as the night wears on.
I've even read how FBass has carved various neck shapes and thicknesses to experiment with how they affect tone, attack, sustain, etc. In other words, it isn't just about a player preference, but what contributes to the sound.
I have *literally* gotten gigs because of the tone of my Fbasses.
Lots of guys can stand there (or sit there) and play the right notes.
Not every bassist can contribute to an ensemble with the tone of an AC6 Classic, or support a cover band with the rib rattling fundamental of a BN6 as they play the right notes.
I still own one Fodera. I keep it for its looks and for its tone; it is an impossibly good 70s Jazz bass. But over time, everything else has been sold off because I'm only displaying them in my home music room and not ever playing them.
Those are FBass’s own branded strings that come stock with the bass.
They are unique because each string is exposed-core. Not just the B string.
Yep that's exactly what piqued my interest, I have a bass with a floating bridge that really benefits from having exposed core strings. I've had a hard time finding anything other than SR2000's.
He does offer the strings for sale on the FBass site under accessories
Donovan at FretSpot sells ‘em too
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Those are Super Steps made by Labella. Great strings!
Haha hopefully I’ll have the same response!
Out of all the great things about this bass, that is the one thing that most knocked me out - the sheer Tone!
A bass playing friend came by my place yesterday because I had gotten a really nice big-name bass a while back and he wanted to play it to see if he might wanna order one as well.
Well, he played it, then I showed him the BN5 and he played that too. His reaction was similar to mine. The tone alone almost makes the other bass redundant. I can’t imagine any bass that could compete with FBass in terms of tone.
Oh nice! I didn’t know who manufactured the strings. Can’t go wrong with LaBella!
Hope you fine folks are having a great FBassing Christmas!
I'm still absolutely in love with my BN5, and I am now considering getting one of the VF basses because I'm so impressed by their work.
From what I understand, the VF-J series uses FBass's own custom in-house pickups, like this one:
But... the VF - PJ series uses Aguilar Pickups, like these:
Do you guys have any insight into why the Aguilars were used.... and do any of you have a preference?
From the sound clips I've heard online, both models sound great!
I'm still absolutely in love with my BN5, and I am now considering getting one of the VF basses because I'm so impressed by their work.
From what I understand, the VF-J series uses FBass's own custom in-house pickups, like this one:
But... the VF - PJ series uses Aguilar Pickups, like these:
Do you guys have any insight into why the Aguilars were used.... and do any of you have a preference?
From the sound clips I've heard online, both models sound great!
I think F Bass uses Aguilar pickups for both Jazz and P basses now.
Ahhh ok... after doing a little research it seems that some of the VF basses have the "Aguilar" labeled covers and some do not.
Either way, they all sound great. Just gotta decide on a JJ or PJ model. First world problems I guess.
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