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Club Fbass (thread 13)

#4,561
After playing my BN5 for a while, I had my tech switch it to volume/blend because for me this made it faster to make tonal changes when playing live with my band. For example, going from a finger style bridge sound with boosted mids to a scooped slap tone using both pickups.
 
#4,563
Hi- I bought an f-bass BN5 with an exposed core B string. It is very loud and you can feel it. But, it is not as much piano like in tone like an old F-Bass I used to own.

I was wondering if anyone can please recommend a good set of strings. I saw on the F-Bass website about the DR and LaBella strings they recommend, but there are four types of strings I have never used. I guess I want the B-string to have a little more timbre than this exposed core string. Is this the wrong thread? :)
 
#4,564
Planetguitar said:
Hi- I bought an f-bass BN5 with an exposed core B string. It is very loud and you can feel it. But, it is not as much piano like in tone like an old F-Bass I used to own.

I was wondering if anyone can please recommend a good set of strings. I saw on the F-Bass website about the DR and LaBella strings they recommend, but there are four types of strings I have never used. I guess I want the B-string to have a little more timbre than this exposed core string. Is this the wrong thread? :)
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You're likely to get strong and varied opinions on strings here. Personally, I'd try adjusting the pickup hight before changing strings. Dialing that in is especially important with the strong magnets in the BN pickups combined with the easier-to-move exposed core strings. They can interact in wonderful ways or in annoying ways.
 
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#4,565
I would agree about the pickup height. FWIW, I used FBass branded strings in the past and stopped for a few reasons. I just put a new set on a new bass. Just wow. I bought them to extra adjustment out of the B and G, but I do love the tone. It’s as described… I felt like I had a piano in my hands. Best of luck…

Oh, otherwise, I’m a GHS and DR fan. I’ve also started using Aurora strings, but they are pretty bright and I EQ some of the top end out to get them to my liking… love the feel.
 
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#4,566
Growling Woods said:
You're likely to get strong and varied opinions on strings here. Personally, I'd try adjusting the pickup hight before changing strings. Dialing that in is especially important with the strong magnets in the BN pickups combined with the easier-to-move exposed core strings. They can interact in wonderful ways or in annoying ways.
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Very cool- just totally forgot pickup stuff.

Oh, J read on the F-Bass website that if you loosen your low B a lot, pull the ends slightly out of the bridge and rotate the string. It will bring back some life like to it. It seemed to make a small small discernible difference on the tone.
 
#4,567
Planetguitar said:
Very cool- just totally forgot pickup stuff.

Oh, J read on the F-Bass website that if you loosen your low B a lot, pull the ends slightly out of the bridge and rotate the string. It will bring back some life like to it. It seemed to make a small small discernible difference on the tone.
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Nice. You might want to try a brand new set of FBass strings. If the ones you've got aren't new, you won't get a fair sense of the quality of the strings. I really love them, and use them on all of my basses now, but that's just me.
 
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#4,568
I'm thinking of selling my 1988 6-string neck-thru fretless, an original Alain Caron model with his hand-written signature on the back. The bass was built by George himself, not a team. It's passive, with hum-cancelling coils inside the compartment. The bass was recently serviced by George (new nuts, jack, strings, fingerboard dress, full set up etc.). Has some blemishes and scratches, which is expected given its age and open wood. It's a piece of art, but I haven't been playing it lately. As far as I know, it's a very rare beast many players and collectors are looking for.
Does anyone know how much these instruments go for these days? Couldn't find any information online.
Thanks!
 

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#4,569
CANET said:
I'm thinking of selling my 1988 6-string neck-thru fretless, an original Alain Caron model with his hand-written signature on the back. The bass was built by George himself, not a team. It's passive, with hum-cancelling coils inside the compartment. The bass was recently serviced by George (new nuts, jack, strings, fingerboard dress, full set up etc.). Has some blemishes and scratches, which is expected given its age and open wood. It's a piece of art, but I haven't been playing it lately. As far as I know, it's a very rare beast many players and collectors are looking for.
Does anyone know how much these instruments go for these days? Couldn't find any information online.
Thanks!
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I believe you need to be a supporting member of Talkbass to be permitted to ask these sorts of questions.

That said, I would contact Marcel at F-Bass for input on resale value - he's recently provided that to me.
 
#4,570
mngnt said:
I believe you need to be a supporting member of Talkbass to be permitted to ask these sorts of questions.

That said, I would contact Marcel at F-Bass for input on resale value - he's recently provided that to me.
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I couldn't find any rules not allowing non-supporting members to ask any particular questions.
I'll ask Marcel, thanks for the advice. Just hoped someone here might have the answer right away.
 
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#4,571
CANET said:
I couldn't find any rules not allowing non-supporting members to ask any particular questions.
I'll ask Marcel, thanks for the advice. Just hoped someone here might have the answer right away.
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Yeah, I can't find the specific rule, but have heard it said many times. Membership is required to sell, however, so asking for valuation may fall into that category.

No intention to be a jerk on my end, but I do also believe that Marcel will have the best info - they seem to have a good handle on it all.
 
#4,572
Growling Woods said:
Nice. You might want to try a brand new set of FBass strings. If the ones you've got aren't new, you won't get a fair sense of the quality of the strings. I really love them, and use them on all of my basses now, but that's just me.
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The B string must have been very dirty. So, I wiped it down with a microfiber cloth doused with 70% alcohol. Now, lol, the B-string has slightly more zest than the E string. So, I wiped down all the strings with 70% alcohol and brought all of therm back to crisp life.

Thanks for all the string advice!
 
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#4,573
The “what’s it worth” clause is in rule number 3 of the rules/faq section. Here: Terms of Service and Rules | TalkBass.com

Rule #3: snippet… If you want to post your 'for sale' or 'wanted' text in your signature, a Supporting Membership is required. "What's it worth" posts for personal instruments are limited to Supporting Members. If you'd like more info on becoming a supporting member, please see this page….

Sorry don’t have much else to contribute to the current topic.
 
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#4,574
Planetguitar said:
The B string must have been very dirty. So, I wiped it down with a microfiber cloth doused with 70% alcohol. Now, lol, the B-string has slightly more zest than the E string. So, I wiped down all the strings with 70% alcohol and brought all of therm back to crisp life.

Thanks for all the string advice!
Click to expand...
OK, I ended up getting Ernie Ball Regular Slinky BASS 5 strings because of all the glowing recommendations you guys sent me. Actually you guys gave zero recommendations for the Ernie Balls. These were the cheapest strings at Guitar Center. Anyway I replaced my old poopy B string with the EB Slinky and it sounds AMAZING! Piano-like, crisp and thick. The best part is that the strings were $26. LOL

I'm thinking "any" strings will sound great on this bass. LOL
 
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#4,576
Hi all,
I need to adjust the string heights at the bridge for my standard BN6. The FBass site mentions a fretboard radius of 10”-16”. I don’t know why we have two numbers ? Is it a 10” radius or 16” radius? I am trying to match the fretboard curve on the saddle as my A string sounds a bit dull and thumpy.
I wanted to buy the StewMac saddle string gauge jigs that seem helpful.
Any pointer is much appreciated.
 
#4,580
I've noticed that F Bass are now installing small aluminum knobs in place of the hand carved blackwood knobs that were once standard. I just saw a recent BN5 build at Long & McQuade's Markham and noticed the aluminum knobs.

Let's hope that this is just a temporary Covid induced supply issue and not a permanent change. Seeing as F Basses prices have jumped significantly recently, especially here in Canada. Now more than ever, it's paramount that F Bass maintain their exceptional standards for their customer base, pun definitely intended. Just my opinion of course.
 
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