Beautiful bass, I have a 2002 BN5 and wish it had fingerboard inlays. Is that a 34" scale, and what is the nut width?
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Thanks! Yup 34” Scale and 1.5” Nut Width
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I read a post recently about thumb rests and took a few pics.
I’ve added these thumb rests to my BN5s so I can move around for different tones. Easy and effective.
Home Depot 1/4 square dowel and some foam tape. Helps me and is similar to my AC5 with the Factory thumb rest.
I’ve added these thumb rests to my BN5s so I can move around for different tones. Easy and effective.
Home Depot 1/4 square dowel and some foam tape. Helps me and is similar to my AC5 with the Factory thumb rest.
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Now let's see the whole bass
A few adjustments by my tech (me) and ready for tonight's gig! My 2023 BN5 roasted ash / ebony! Loooooove!
Pics as promised, I have a 2 BN5 models, one is a deluxe and my main player is the AC5...I just did the annual maintenance on the AC5 with Tung Oil and 000 steel wool on the Ebony Board, it plays beautifully - the player is the one that makes all the mistakes but I just do it again at the same spot the next verse and chorus and call it artistic expression or Jazz.
Last pic, of me and the Maestro at NAMM 2020.
Last pic, of me and the Maestro at NAMM 2020.
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Coming back to this to correct myself. I became curious after the initial question was asked,so I emailed Marcel. I assumed I had the F Bass strings installed (I was told that they were going to be on the bass)by default, but never looked closely. In fact, DR High Beams were actually installed. Here’s what Marcel said :
“
Re: exposed-core strings, this is true to a degree…
The relative low tension and composition of the exposed-cores can produce a slight “chorus” effect when playing in the upper register. These overtones occur more so as you play higher up, as you bring the strings closer to the pickups that magnetic pull can affect the tone. At factory set up it’s very minimal but does offer those strings a slightly unique tone players either tend to love or not love. I believe some of those who don’t love the tone/performance either have extremely discerning ears or may not have the set up dialled in.
That being said, for the Deluxe BN series we opt for full-core strings as those pickups pull even harder than the standard BN series pickups. The bigger issue there is that we aren’t able to set up with low/medium action without introducing fret buzz. The exposed-cores aren't compatible/suggested for the Deluxe. Our favourite full cores for the Deluxes and VF’s are DR’s (High Beam, Fat Beam, Lo-Rider) and Labella’s (RX series).
Hope this helps add clarity to the string situation. ”
Hopefully this will add some clarity moving forward
Coming back to this to correct myself. I became curious after the initial question was asked,so I emailed Marcel. I assumed I had the F Bass strings installed (I was told that they were going to be on the bass)by default, but never looked closely. In fact, DR High Beams were actually installed. Here’s what Marcel said :
“
Re: exposed-core strings, this is true to a degree…
The relative low tension and composition of the exposed-cores can produce a slight “chorus” effect when playing in the upper register. These overtones occur more so as you play higher up, as you bring the strings closer to the pickups that magnetic pull can affect the tone. At factory set up it’s very minimal but does offer those strings a slightly unique tone players either tend to love or not love. I believe some of those who don’t love the tone/performance either have extremely discerning ears or may not have the set up dialled in.
That being said, for the Deluxe BN series we opt for full-core strings as those pickups pull even harder than the standard BN series pickups. The bigger issue there is that we aren’t able to set up with low/medium action without introducing fret buzz. The exposed-cores aren't compatible/suggested for the Deluxe. Our favourite full cores for the Deluxes and VF’s are DR’s (High Beam, Fat Beam, Lo-Rider) and Labella’s (RX series).
Hope this helps add clarity to the string situation. ”
Hopefully this will add some clarity moving forward
When I was deciding between the BN Standard vs Deluxe I was curious about how influential the string difference was (exposed vs not). I asked Marcel and got a response consistent with this post.
I should have done my due diligence and actually looked, I just assumed since that’s what I was told. Plus, I always got stuck just admiring the bass, and never got around to inspecting the strings properly 
I tend to noodle higher up the neck so the "chorusing effect" of the exposed strings was a bit of a concern. It wasn't a deal maker/breaker, but it did tip me towards the Deluxe (not that you can't change strings on the Standard, and I never had a "problem" on my BNF).
Edit - my BNF doesn’t have exposed cores FYI
Edit - my BNF doesn’t have exposed cores FYI
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Agreed- in retrospect, I’m glad they did put DR’s on there so I didn’t have to go through that experience. I enjoy upper register chords and melodies as well. Definitely love my Deluxe !
All of my dealings with Marcel have been great, and very informative. F Bass makes great instruments, but they really do go out of their way to help as well.
Class acts, in all aspects.
Well… I said I wasn’t… but, I did. Can’t wait to get it home!
Oh! Was that a FretSpot purchase?
Wow - beautiful! I think that is the one I came close to purchasing before buying a natural ash finish 2022 demo instead from a local shop...
Man. I had been wrestling with the thought of buying that one based on the description when it was first on the list of upcoming basses. I’m happy with the one I did get, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous
Wow! All I can say is congratulations brother!
