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I called about that today. I was told, it would be around $125 for the knobs.
That's not bad. I'm tripping on the clear, plexiglass pick guard is around $250. I'm surprised I don't see more of them, especially with a satin finish.
I had George cut a custom plexiglass pick guard about 20 years ago for my bass, kept it on for many years finally took it off and was surprised how much the body resonated more without it,a more consistent vibration through the body, paid about a 100 bucks for the guard.
Interesting. I've heard people say this before. It made no percievable difference on my Dragonfly bass. For sure, this is why I don't like thick, decorative tops. If the vibrations don't agree, they cancel each other out instead of reinforcing.
Ok, I'll let it wear down naturally over time.
Yeah, I'm ordering knobs tomorrow. If I can choose, I'll take Bloodwood. The darker ones are cool too though.
My lovely couple. The BN5 and VF5. I loved both very much. Only would like to change the vintage bridge on the VF5 for a more convenient one. It's clumsy me but with the Vintage bridge changing strings is like needing a 3rd hand... I would like to avoid drilling holes especially when they are getting too close to the existing holes. What replacement would you suggest?
Wish me luck...... Drill 3 holes, solder/install Hope for the best
Only the tone is push/pull as these are not single coil pickups. George gave me the wiring instructions.
View attachment 4837545
It is in, even worked on the first try [ can tell you how many times I have installed a preamp only to have one wires touching something it should not ].
Finally made it to my place in the forest and was able to turn up enough to drive a speaker cab. First, I'll say, if you haven't treated yourself to playing an FBass through a good tube head, (mine was modified at Dave's in NJ, so it's not a normal Ampeg) you should put it on your short list. Sealed cab is best but I didn't feel like dragging one upstairs and I turned off the horn, on the 2x10 Berg. It's really clear and warm, with a nice "knock" in the midrange. My other basses sound good with the "ultra lo" engaged on the V4b but this bass was immediately perfect and I forgot to try it for about an hour. I didn't even want the bass in active mode. Passive mode and playing with the tone and pickup blending took up an afternoon. I won't even start on the tube grit thing.
So, drastic eq adjustments at a gig is a big no, for me, without a volume pedal. That eq stays usable and beautiful but gets very powerful. Fortunately, it happens gradually. I see why they chose lower output, compared to some other basses.
I'm really liking this bass more and more. I can't duplicate the tone or set up on my other bases. I still like them but they feel and sound foreign now, lol. I ended up adding a touch of relief in the neck and raised the action and pickups the same, small amount. Still plays great and I'm buzz free, until I dig in. Just need my knobs, so i don't have to guess at my levels and I'm all set. I hope your afternoon was great too!
Here's a pic.
So, drastic eq adjustments at a gig is a big no, for me, without a volume pedal. That eq stays usable and beautiful but gets very powerful. Fortunately, it happens gradually. I see why they chose lower output, compared to some other basses.
I'm really liking this bass more and more. I can't duplicate the tone or set up on my other bases. I still like them but they feel and sound foreign now, lol. I ended up adding a touch of relief in the neck and raised the action and pickups the same, small amount. Still plays great and I'm buzz free, until I dig in. Just need my knobs, so i don't have to guess at my levels and I'm all set. I hope your afternoon was great too!
Here's a pic.
I was wondering how this turned out. You should be proud of yourself. Looks perfect.
It is in, even worked on the first try [ can tell you how many times I have installed a preamp only to have one wires touching something it should not ].
View attachment 4845543
Hello F bass players!
I’m considering buying an F bass BN5. Are there any differences between older (90’s) and current BN5 that I should know? I mean something like tonal differences, changes in quality, electronics etc. Your opinions would be much appreciated.
I’m considering buying an F bass BN5. Are there any differences between older (90’s) and current BN5 that I should know? I mean something like tonal differences, changes in quality, electronics etc. Your opinions would be much appreciated.
Older necks are a little thicker front to back, but that's really about it. George and team landed on a winning combo and have stuck with it over the years.
The finish changed around 2010 to a poly finish that is longer lasting and won't fade.
Also, the tuner pattern flipped, making the B string slightly longer.
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Maybe my sense of this is a little different.
Late 90's/very early 00's BN's had a thinner/faster neck profile.
At some point in the early 00's the pickups changed sources, similar but a little different sounding IME.
I thought the "crystal" finish replaced the thinner less durable nitro somewhere in 04-08.
Personally, having owned BN's from the late 90's, early 00's, mid 00's and late 2010's I really like the old ones. The thinner neck profile, the nitro which I thought resulted in a more resonant and open sound than the heavier albeit more protective newer finish. Im sure it varied a ton from bass to bass, but the MVP BN's that I have played and owned have been the earlier ones.
Late 90's/very early 00's BN's had a thinner/faster neck profile.
At some point in the early 00's the pickups changed sources, similar but a little different sounding IME.
I thought the "crystal" finish replaced the thinner less durable nitro somewhere in 04-08.
Personally, having owned BN's from the late 90's, early 00's, mid 00's and late 2010's I really like the old ones. The thinner neck profile, the nitro which I thought resulted in a more resonant and open sound than the heavier albeit more protective newer finish. Im sure it varied a ton from bass to bass, but the MVP BN's that I have played and owned have been the earlier ones.
My 03 is the nicest 5-string bass I’ve ever laid hands on. I had a 00 that had the same neck profile, but, it was a bit lighter and didn’t have the juice of the 03.
I agree on the neck profile, my ‘99 BN5 seems to have a slightly thinner, back to front, shape than newer ones I’ve played, pickups changed from split to current around ‘00 and the truss rod channel was elongated sometime back, prefer the smaller truss rod access on mine.
Speaking of, there's a good looking older BN5 on Reverb right now. No affiliation
F Bass BN5 2000 - Curser Purple F Bass BN5 2000 - Curser Purple | Reverb
