. Hands better than mine
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. Hands better than mine
My two main basses at this time are a BN5, played for 21 years, and a ‘65 L series Jazz, played for over 50 years, I’ve come to the conclusion that my “ ideal “ bass would be a fusion of the two, so a alder body,rosewood fretboard two Jazz pups VF5 would be my logical choice, when I first got my F Georges’ business card was in the case so I called him and one of my first questions was what his inspiration for the BN was and without any hesitation he said “ a 62 Jazz”
For my Vf pj 5, I had Marcel put Alleva Coppola pickups into that for a markup. I don’t care for the Aguilar pickups. Marcel will put them into their basses if you ask
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i came here to say the same thing. The AC pickups are far superior. If I ever get a VF, that’s the way I’m going.
Good to hear about the availability of the A/C pup option, but also wondering why they no longer have their in house as a option.
What would you say the main difference is between the Aggies and AC pick ups?
I'm honestly trying to wrap my head around all this. It seems to me that some people prefer some things, other people other things. I know bassists that prefer other builders to Fbass. I find it interesting, but it's all subjective. Almost like telling people apples are better than oranges. Whatever works for you is what you should go for. Just my humble opinion.
I don't think anyone is trying to argue or dissuade someone from a choice. I think folks are just voicing their preferences and are passionate about it.
I knew this thread would be dangerous. I'm starting to consider an BN5 addition in the future. I'm curious how frets and rounds will change things from the BNF5 I have now. Only one way to find out
I knew this thread would be dangerous. I'm starting to consider an BN5 addition in the future. I'm curious how frets and rounds will change things from the BNF5 I have now. Only one way to find out
That's a dangerous path to go down. I've learned that one build trends to lead to another. It's great, but can get awfully expensive!I don't think anyone is trying to argue or dissuade someone from a choice. I think folks are just voicing their preferences and are passionate about it.
I knew this thread would be dangerous. I'm starting to consider an BN5 addition in the future. I'm curious how frets and rounds will change things from the BNF5 I have now. Only one way to find out
I mean, I’ve got nothing to complain about. But a matching set would be a matching set 
I mean, I’ve got nothing to complain about. But a matching set would be a matching set
Sweet basses!
View attachment 4538331
Marcel told me people didn’t like the hum from the single coil (the original F pickups were SC).
They found aguilar to work the best. I trust them for that, I just don’t like humcancelling pickups in general. for me the F pickups are by far the best… The only ones I like almost as much are the Nordstrands
They found aguilar to work the best. I trust them for that, I just don’t like humcancelling pickups in general. for me the F pickups are by far the best… The only ones I like almost as much are the Nordstrands
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
My stable of F's:
-24-fret, 70s position (Aguilar 70s singles, I believe) VF5 - custom ordered by me
-Studio 5 (precursor to the BN series I think? Mine is from the special run of 6 they did in 2015)
-2020 VF4-PJ
The Studio is the most versatile of the bunch. I currently prefer the PJ, but it just depends on the situation. I do know every F Bass I've ever touched has just felt right to me. They really know what they're doing.
-24-fret, 70s position (Aguilar 70s singles, I believe) VF5 - custom ordered by me
-Studio 5 (precursor to the BN series I think? Mine is from the special run of 6 they did in 2015)
-2020 VF4-PJ
The Studio is the most versatile of the bunch. I currently prefer the PJ, but it just depends on the situation. I do know every F Bass I've ever touched has just felt right to me. They really know what they're doing.
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I enjoy the F Bass pickup sound in Single mode. However, I play a lot of ambient stuff with long delay and reverb tails, so any hum gets multiplied. I have to pick between blending the pickups to cancel the hum, or going into HB mode, which doesn't have as much of the character that I like. Of course, I do have a gate effect that can be very helpful for managing hum between notes.
A little more Beef/vintage sounding. Not as.. Hi- fi?
I personnally don’t find Aguilar growly/grindy at all. It has nice smooth highs, works well for slapping, but I couldn’t never dial the tone I like on the bridge pickup. The (old) F pickups are so much edgier / grindy. It does come with hum though, and a probably slightly less articulate sound.
I actually found the BN closer to the Aguilar, but growlier and with more character.
I actually found the BN closer to the Aguilar, but growlier and with more character.
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There is a lot to be said for strings. I have VF's and a BN5, GFC L5 and some with same parts and preamp but some have different strings and different pickups. Imo the strings and the pickups help me achieve "growly". The Aguilar pickups aren't my favorite but I have been able to get what I want out of my basses that have them. That being said, I like the F-bass pickups better except my vf4 pj that has f-bass pickups sounds way different and not as articulate or growly as my Aggie loaded vf's. I have determined that it might be the F-bass precision pickup that I don't care for but idk on that one, it is strange.
Check out the Deluxe Package clips!
FBass:
We usually test drive new specs & models against the golden ears and fingers of local F Bass artist Mitch Starkman. In his time with our prototype Deluxe Humbucking BN5, he graciously recorded three clips for us. These clips capture the three pickup modes (single-coil, series humbucking, parallel humbucking) in a musical context.
All bass lines were recorded with the Deluxe in each respective pickup mode. Note that these were recorded straight to Logic with no EQ’ing nor preamp/DI. Also note that the single-coil mode may sound more similar to the humbucking than in reality as the output was matched and the strings were at 75% life, so some high end articulation may be lost.
LINK TO AUDIO CLIPS: https://linktr.ee/fbassinc
So grab your favourite headphones and enjoy A/B/C’ing!
#FBass #DeluxeBN5 #HandmadeinCanada #HamOnt #Luthier #Luthierie #Luthiery #BassGear #CustomBass
FBass:
We usually test drive new specs & models against the golden ears and fingers of local F Bass artist Mitch Starkman. In his time with our prototype Deluxe Humbucking BN5, he graciously recorded three clips for us. These clips capture the three pickup modes (single-coil, series humbucking, parallel humbucking) in a musical context.
All bass lines were recorded with the Deluxe in each respective pickup mode. Note that these were recorded straight to Logic with no EQ’ing nor preamp/DI. Also note that the single-coil mode may sound more similar to the humbucking than in reality as the output was matched and the strings were at 75% life, so some high end articulation may be lost.
LINK TO AUDIO CLIPS: https://linktr.ee/fbassinc
So grab your favourite headphones and enjoy A/B/C’ing!
#FBass #DeluxeBN5 #HandmadeinCanada #HamOnt #Luthier #Luthierie #Luthiery #BassGear #CustomBass
