Club Fbass (thread 13)

[monsterthompson]

I realize this is a fine point of nit picking, but if I was to spec a custom build BN5, what should I consider with the three bridge options? What are the real pros/cons of each, and how significant a difference are we talking?

For reference, I do a fair amount of pick playing and use palm muting regularly.

I'm sure I'd be happy with the standard bridge, but I'd hate to miss out on something with notable benefits.

 

[Dave Hill]

I realize this is a fine point of nit picking, but if I was to spec a custom build BN5, what should I consider with the three bridge options? What are the real pros/cons of each, and how significant a difference are we talking?

For reference, I do a fair amount of pick playing and use palm muting regularly.

I'm sure I'd be happy with the standard bridge, but I'd hate to miss out on something with notable benefits.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but, again, I would stick to the standard specs George has landed on, which in this case is a Hipshot B.

 

[MattLplaysBass]

I realize this is a fine point of nit picking, but if I was to spec a custom build BN5, what should I consider with the three bridge options? What are the real pros/cons of each, and how significant a difference are we talking?

For reference, I do a fair amount of pick playing and use palm muting regularly.

I'm sure I'd be happy with the standard bridge, but I'd hate to miss out on something with notable benefits.

I personally prefer the A style bridge, and wish I'd have spent the $60 to upgrade to it from the B style, if for nothing else than string changing is easier- the B style can be a pain with the B and E strings if it's not a taper/exposed core. I've got/had the A style (or a tweaked version) on several other basses and much prefer it. I ordered an MTD late last year and spent the $$$ to get their version of the A style, so I've learned my lesson

 

[monsterthompson]

I personally prefer the A style bridge, and wish I'd have spent the $60 to upgrade to it from the B style, if for nothing else than string changing is easier- the B style can be a pain with the B and E strings if it's not a taper/exposed core. I've got/had the A style (or a tweaked version) on several other basses and much prefer it. I ordered an MTD late last year and spent the $$$ to get their version of the A style, so I've learned my lesson

Thanks for that info.
I've got the A Style on my BNF5 so, I might go that route just for consistency/familiarity. $60 isn't a wild charge relative to the total price.

 

[nonohmic]

Hypothetically, if one were to build an AC 4; is the preamp an essential part of that sound?

I don't like fiddling with knobs, but sometimes the color that the preamp brings is essential (such as on my Roscoe), even if all knobs are left in the middle indent.

Or would a passive AC 4 still bring that quintessential sound?

 

[31HZ]

Hypothetically, if one were to build an AC 4; is the preamp an essential part of that sound?

I don't like fiddling with knobs, but sometimes the color that the preamp brings is essential (such as on my Roscoe), even if all knobs are left in the middle indent.

Or would a passive AC 4 still bring that quintessential sound?

There's a passive AC5 on Reverb at the moment with an Aguilar DCB and piezos, btw (no affiliation). And I find that the Fbass preamp in the 'flat' positions sounds the same as when the preamp is bypassed.

 

[nonohmic]

There's a passive AC5 on Reverb at the moment with an Aguilar DCB and piezos, btw (no affiliation). And I find that the Fbass preamp in the 'flat' positions sounds the same as when the preamp is bypassed.

Great thanks, and lol at your signature (complete with documented date).

 

[Dave Hill]

The Fbass preamp is very unobtrusive.
However, it also enhances quite naturally. I’d get it.

 

[soong]

There's a passive AC5 on Reverb at the moment with an Aguilar DCB and piezos, btw (no affiliation). And I find that the Fbass preamp in the 'flat' positions sounds the same as when the preamp is bypassed.

I have to disagree. When I’m in active mode with all controls set flat (nothing boosted), my BN5 has a noticeable extra ‘shine’; the treble response is a little snappier and overall slightly less mid-focussed.

this is the same for my active Sadowsky, Fenders, etc.

My favourite sound is active mode with everything flat.

 

[monsterthompson]

I found the preamp to be fairly transparent in demos and with my actual bass going direct into a mixer and monitors. I think I could live without it, but I'm glad to have it. I'd say it probably adds something to the top end, particularly as cable runs get longer.

I need to work on some recording soon. I love the BNF5 sound but my playing is a mess. I really like the single coil bridge sound but for my ambient efforts the hiss of the single coil sound with the tone knob up over half way can get pretty noticeable in the delays and long reverb tails. The bass works well in hum canceling mode, but I really like that single coil bridge-only tone and feel.

 

[JRMK]

I have to disagree. When I’m in active mode with all controls set flat (nothing boosted), my BN5 has a noticeable extra ‘shine’; the treble response is a little snappier and overall slightly less mid-focussed.

this is the same for my active Sadowsky, Fenders, etc.

My favourite sound is active mode with everything flat.

And both pickups wide open! Tone all up!

 

[monsterthompson]

Anyone here with experiences playing both the BN5 and the BN5 Deluxe? I found this video from a few years back and based on the sound comparison starting around 7:30 I think the Deluxe pickups/package might bet me closer to what I'm after. Obviously one bass is a six and the other is a 5, but the Deluxe also has what looks to be a traditional set of strings vs. the exposed core on the Standard.

I'm trying to get my head (and ears) around the "benefits" of the Deluxe and determine if I want to pay for that upgrade. I know @Dave Hill is a strong believer in the standard with stock options. I do like the idea of the extra flexibility of the Deluxe, and this is the first video I've heard where I think the Deluxe option might be what I'm after (aesthetically, I don't like the exposed poles or the gold saddles, but I could live with them).

Let me know if you think this video is a fair representation of the Deluxe and how it compares to the standard.

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Anyone here with experiences playing both the BN5 and the BN5 Deluxe? I found this video from a few years back and based on the sound comparison starting around 7:30 I think the Deluxe pickups/package might bet me closer to what I'm after. Obviously one bass is a six and the other is a 5, but the Deluxe also has what looks to be a traditional set of strings vs. the exposed core on the Standard.

I'm trying to get my head (and ears) around the "benefits" of the Deluxe and determine if I want to pay for that upgrade. I know @Dave Hill is a strong believer in the standard with stock options. I do like the idea of the extra flexibility of the Deluxe, and this is the first video I've heard where I think the Deluxe option might be what I'm after (aesthetically, I don't like the exposed poles or the gold saddles, but I could live with them).

Let me know if you think this video is a fair representation of the Deluxe and how it compares to the standard.

I hemmed and hawed about the deluxe vs the standard when I got my BN5 in 2019 (there wasn't a ton of info on it at the time), and ended up going with the standard. IMHO you're only getting one more setting (although different pickups), and the price was about $1k, so... that being said, I ordered an MTD 535 a few months ago and got their "super" pickups and electronics, which is essentially the same idea, but by Bartolini, so I'm a bit wishy washy, I suppose. But the standard BN5 pickups and electronics and pretty dang good and versatile as is. If I got a second BN5 though, I would get the deluxe package (and a fancy top ). You probably could get the bridge and tuners all black too if you request it, and not the "bumble bee" black and gold.

Did you see this on their (F Bass') FB of Mitch Starkman playing the 3 modes? Although he can make anything sound good…

 

[Archaeobass]

Anyone here with experiences playing both the BN5 and the BN5 Deluxe? I found this video from a few years back and based on the sound comparison starting around 7:30 I think the Deluxe pickups/package might bet me closer to what I'm after. Obviously one bass is a six and the other is a 5, but the Deluxe also has what looks to be a traditional set of strings vs. the exposed core on the Standard.

That was a custom bass built for me. A 33" scale BN6 Deluxe. Incredible bass. The only reason I sold it was because even under the best of conditions (the BN is the most comfortable bass for my body of any model I've ever played, 33" to improve the timbre of the C string, Deluxe package for modern tones and additional versatility), I still couldn't hang with the 6 string. I prefer fours and fives. That said, I almost immediately ordered another deluxe, more inline with my tried and true preferences. This was the result:

I love it. Rich, beautiful tone, 34" scale using tried and true materials. Interesting tonal combinations based on pickup and coil selection, even before bringing the preamp into the mix. If I need/want to play a 4, its by far my first choice. That said, I don't think I'll ever be without a standard BN5, because there is something so quintessential about that model, and it feels so good to play (I say 'standard,' though my BN5 has an Ebony board, because my VF5 has a maple board).

 

[MusicMuse]

The Deluxe adds true dual coil tones in single coil, series, or parallel - meaning you can get Jazz, Precision, and MM tones out of one bass. If you value that kind of flexibility, it's worth it. If you just love the sound of the BN in single coil mode (like most F Bass players), then it's overkill...

 

[MattLplaysBass]

That was a custom bass built for me. A 33" scale BN6 Deluxe. Incredible bass. The only reason I sold it was because even under the best of conditions (the BN is the most comfortable bass for my body of any model I've ever played, 33" to improve the timbre of the C string, Deluxe package for modern tones and additional versatility), I still couldn't hang with the 6 string. I prefer fours and fives. That said, I almost immediately ordered another deluxe, more inline with my tried and true preferences. This was the result:

I love it. Rich, beautiful tone, 34" scale using tried and true materials. Interesting tonal combinations based on pickup and coil selection, even before bringing the preamp into the mix. If I need/want to play a 4, its by far my first choice. That said, I don't think I'll ever be without a standard BN5, because there is something so quintessential about that model, and it feels so good to play (I say 'standard,' though my BN5 has an Ebony board, because my VF5 has a maple board).

That roasted ash body doesn't need a fancy top Great looking (and sounding) bass.

 

[monsterthompson]

The Deluxe adds true dual coil tones in single coil, series, or parallel - meaning you can get Jazz, Precision, and MM tones out of one bass. If you value that kind of flexibility, it's worth it. If you just love the sound of the BN in single coil mode (like most F Bass players), then it's overkill...

This is roughly what I expected. Now that I have a BNF5 I think that the added variety might be worth having. Of course, if it ain't broke don't fix it. It's a tough choice, but the good kind of tough choice.

 

[31HZ]

I really, really love my BN5 Deluxe, and I wasn't sure that I would -- I'm more of a mid-forward-tone guy (Smith, Sadowsky Modern, Zon Special etc.) -- but it just sounds good all of the time.

I have two BNFs that both seem a little too polite to my ear, but my Deluxe sounds great in a dense mix.

Hope that helps.

 

[monsterthompson]

I really, really love my BN5 Deluxe, and I wasn't sure that I would -- I'm more of a mid-forward-tone guy (Smith, Sadowsky Modern, Zon Special etc.) -- but it just sounds good all of the time.

I have two BNFs that both seem a little too polite to my ear, but my Deluxe sounds great in a dense mix.

Hope that helps.

This is why I’m curious about the deluxe. I primarily play solo and lots of it is ambient stuff with delays and reverbs. More aggressive sounds tend to be more playful with those effects, particularly if the wet signal has HPF filtering. The BNF vs BN expectation/projection is a little tough to judge since it’s fretless with flats.

It’s clearly an expensive luxury purchase either way. There’s going to be a wait. So the definition of “worth it” is clearly in terms of want vs. need. If this was a $1,000 GC-available bass I could try first or easily buy and flip then I’d have an easier choice. I’m now going through my thoughts (out loud, here) about what I really expect to use the bass for. Part of the concern is that it probably means I’ll be flipping something in my collection. The question becomes a compound of not just what I want but what I’m willing to give up to get it.

 

[tminus10]

Bought this used and just received it today. This is my first Fbass. I absolutely love this bass! Holy smokes!

I usually don't care for 19mm spacing and longer scales (so I thought). But this doesn't bother me one bit. I can get around on it just as well as my 17mm and slapping sure is easier. Maybe since I've been playing strictly 5s for a little bit now, I'm getting use to it and I'm not so sensitive to the string spacing.

My plan was to get this just to see if I like Fbasses and then sell it and put in a custom order for one with 17mm spacing but forget all that, I'm keeping this one!