Club Fbass (thread 13)

[Tom7]

Where the heck have you been Tom, you're the life blood of this club Jim

Sorry... it's a long story.

 

[Tom7]

Add me to the list....

CLUB FBASS ROSTER (Part 1 of 3)
(Updated 03 April 2015)

For some reason I thought you were already on the roster. Welcome (Officially)!

1. George_Furlanet (Number assigned by club vote)
2. Tombowlus - BN4, BN5, VF5
3. Puff_father - BN5
4. Debassed - BNF5
5. ThumbyAche - BN5, GFC
6. brandonwong - AC6-Standard, BN6-Limited Edition AC Replica, BN5, BN6, VF5, Vintage Fretless 5
7. Tom7 - BN5, BN5, BN4, BN6, BN5, BN5,, AC5,
8. Erick Lam - BN5
9. knarleybass - BN5, BN6
10. Reefer - b, BN4?
11. VinceLovesF - BN5BN5
12. T._Brookins - 2
13. DonovanBankhead - BN5
14. Speyer - BN5, (b)
15. jmilky - VF4
16. edel - BN5,, (BNF5)
17. administrator - VF5
18. Dave Hill - BN5 (b), c
19. FbassDave - BN5(b)
20. Vic - BN5
21. Georges_Abitbol - BN5 (?) (Studio5)
22. xav_paris - Prototype, AC5
23. Munjibunga - BN5, BNF5
24. Toolmybass - BN5
25. Modny - BN5, BN6
26. mikoespanol - AC5
27. Ron_Plichta - BNF5
28. Gbarchus - AC5
29. nuwavedc - VF5 pj
30. JerryJ - BN5, Vintage 4, Studio6
31. yansdgr - BN6
32. firebass - BNF5, AC6, Studio5
33. choad42 - BN4
34. donstrenz - BN5 (stolen)
35. Gilsonite - 2
36. Tjluke - BN6, AC6
37. cabooke - BN5
38. Brad Johnson - BN6
39. MHemmber - AC5
40. Deevit / FortressOne - 2,, (AC6)
41. dreamwood - BN5, VF5
42. wolfbass1025 - BN6, Vintage4, BN5
43. funkydanbass - BN6
44. Phillip Jordan - BN6, Vintage4
45. Halftooth - BN5
46. thndrstk6 - AC5
47. funkifiedsoul - BN5
48. Trapeze Fan - BN6
49. Poppsyche - BN5
50. Groovy Bastard - AC5
51. Kemet09 - BNF6
52. ModulusAcacia - Vintage BNF6
53. bassjam - BN6
54. ad9000 - BN4
55. Basses55 - AC5, BN6
56. Kevin Woods - BN5, BN5
57. pierreganseman - BN5
58. DiDi G - BN6
59. Greggles - BN6
60. kotzman - BN4
61. Alphaman - VF5
62. remigioremigio - AC5
63. JensWest - BN5
64. eduardxtb - AC6
65. dveeus1 - BNF5, BN5
66. paulvienneau - BN6, AC6
67. bdgotoh - BN6
68. rabster - b, AC6
69. funkygeos - b
70. fusoid - BN5 (piccolo), AC5
71. WovenGraphite - BN6 (b), BNF5 (BN5)
72. rnlytton - AC6, AC6-LW, BN5, 3 BN6s!
73. bardlute - BN5
74. chrisloe - BN5, VF5, VF5
75. Iposavad - BN5
76. yinghock - BN6, BNF5 with rosewood board!
77. pocketmonster - AC5
78. bassment bn5 - BN5, VF5, BN6
79. hairman - VF5, VF5,
80. JOEP054 - BN5, AC4, VF5, Studio 5, Passive 6, BN5
81. p0k - more photos, BNF5
82. jmilkey - BN5
83. Bass Junkie - VF5, (with a VF4 being built!)
84. narud - BN5,
85. BIg O - BN5, AC5, BN5
86. felicidade - BNF5
87. Drone80 - BNF5, BN5
88. steve f - VF5
89. Fbassed - BN5
90. rick1906 - BN4
91. Romu - AC5, BN5
92. Bajosintrastos - BN4
93. jimc - (2), BN5 #2
94. cfequa - BN5
95. mrbassman_de - VF5, BN5, BN5 BN5 (studio), BN5 (defretted), VF5, AC5, BN6, NY5, Studio
96. Graham Monette - BNF5
97. Shelly - BN5
98. tonenazi - BN6
99. Abacobob - VF5

(Continued)

CLUB FBASS ROSTER (Part 2 of 3)

100. jogi68 - BN6, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
101. ManuBerdin - BN5, BN5, BN5 (wide nut), BN6, lined AC6, BN6, VF5
102. rvf42 - BN5
103. kuma9 - BN5
104. jbay - BN5, BN5
105. INGALL'S - BN5
106. BIGGUY78 - BNF6
107. KERMITNT-BN6
108. Ewo - BNF5
109. frizzle - BN5
110. t0t0m - Vintage BN5
111. blen dem - VF5
112. francoprof - b, AC5
113. bassistck - AC4
114. Sirmike75 - BN6
115. Stereo Joe - AC6
116. starKee - BN5, (AC5)
117. eaflyaway - BN5
118. hyperba55 - BN5, Studio5, BN4
119. penny0072001 - BN5
120. TheSiberian - BN6 + piezo, BN6
121. PhillM47 - BN6
122. zortation - BN6, Studio5, BN5
123. tcydennis - VF5
124. wellso74 - BN5 NYC, AC6
125. boomski - BN5
126. nemo - BNF5, BN6
127. maritimer - BN4, BN4
128. olegsulimov - BN4, BN5, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
129. Slammyapple - BN5
130. jephil - AC6
131. MVPBASS -VF5, VF4, BN4 32.5"
132. lindseyp - VF5
133. J.Wolf - BN6, GRoberts, BN5
134. Karelbass - AJ Brown, JRB, jmondick
135. uilleann13 - ursus
136. BN5, - BN5
137. BN5
138. BN6
139. Adrian Garcia
140. Yvon
141. Freddy-G - dean82smperry, Ryan_L, rodneyat
142. 123eranoid
143. Gordon of Eden
144. choad42
145. black.rose1402
146. AC5
147. BN4
148. BN5
149. BNF5
150. BN5
151. AC5
152. Jonno1707 - now belongs to mrbassman_de
153. Quadzilla - VF5, BN6, vintage fretless 6
154. pEJi - BN6
155. blen dem - BN6
156. BassBoss - BN5 (BN5)
157. KJung - BN5
158. Bassconbeatz - BN5
159. Dennis Kong - BN5,
160. copasetic - VF5
161. brooklynbassguy - VF5
162. thomasjbass - VF6
163. Maurizo Rolli - BN6
164. widjarjar - Studio 5, Fretted BNF5
165. Tomkiss - BN5VF5, BN5
166. midijab - BN5
167. taylor - BN5
168. rodsnhawgs - BN5
169. TheBasicBassist - BNF5
170. Aram - BN6
171 Ramon Levy - BN6
172. PazzoBasso - BN5
173. thenothing - BN5
174. curt basner - BN6
175. magichand - BN5
176. dbalatero - b, Studio 5
177. ElMon - BN5
178. MrKool - BN5
179. Richard_P_Harve - BNF5, AC5, BNF5
180. davecheng - AC6 (VF5)
181. bass4worship - BN5, BN5
182. w0x0f - VF5
183. kbuschmann - BN4, BN5, BN6LE
184. mVC - BN5, BN5
185. dirtbird - VF5
186. jaws - BN6
187. Gr8tbass - AC5-Classic
188. pbrand - VF5
189. jbo - BN5
190. kulasterol - BN6
191. kantonart - Studio 5
192. metalstorm - Custom sized BN6
193. fzbassman - BN6, BN6 (Dave Hughes)
194. scubaduba - BNF5
195. Jraewood - BN5
196. dslapster64 - BNF6
197. Morfman6 - fretted AC6 (Thor)
198. YCBass - BNF6
199. skb5string - BN5, BN5, BN5, BN5, BN5, BN5, VF5

(continued)

CLUB FBASS ROSTER (Part 3 of 3)
200. dessunx - BN6
201. Alex - BN6LE Replica, AC6
202. thewildest - BN5, BN4
203. bassman10 - AC6
204. edzaa- VF5 (70s)
205. Danny R. - BN4, BN6
206. sha975 - BN5
207. Arabesque-bass - VF6, (AC5)
208. 74jb - BNF6
209. bigjames - BN5, BN6
210. biggreddbass - BN4
211. maddanthony_59 - VF5
212. Stewthebassman - VF5,
213. ialma - BN5
214. gridchin - VF5, BN5, BNF5
215. swedebass - AC5
216. Bassco - BN5
217. betavision - BNF5
218. Sywannab - BN6, BN4
219. tallbass - BN5
220. Mikey69 - BN6
221. jibreel - BN5
222. greenrositti - BN6, BN6, AC5, VF5
223. austentatiousC - 1987 Fbass
224. kokorollc - Fretted AC6, 2
225. jdbutler238 - BNF5
226. moorebass - AC5
227 hexbass - BN6
228. lebrett - BN5
229. Ron Clark - BN6
230. RandyT - BN6, (BN5)
231. swpyne - BN5
232. b1644 - BN5
233. Alex Zavolokin - BN5,
234. Kinetic Shadow - BNF5
245. Kevin Freeby - BN6
246. TolorenceEJ - GFC5
247. ryanowens - BN6
248. dbok - VF5
249. Mike_R30 - VF5, VF4p
250. bassam0222 - BN4 (Angelica), BN5 (Tracy)
251. asbs - BNF5
252. jebmd - BN5, George_Furlanet
253. jwr - BN4
254. smeet - BN5
255. McMillions - VF5
256. jdy - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
257 RUFFRYDE - BN5
258. Baird6869 - BNF5
259. Mark Wilson - BN5
.

 

[Tom7]

Can I join?
View attachment 512971View attachment 512972

Sorry for losing track of this. I've assigned you a number (see above). Welcome aboard.

 

[Tom7]

Dmitry has a fun clip for us Fbassers to enjoy...

 

[Tom7]

As some may know, health problems with my left hand and arm have put me on the path to bass retirement -- I've just been walking it as slowly as I can. Along the way, I have been "thinning the herd," saying reluctant goodbyes to basses along the way.

As I ponder exactly what basses I want if I were to own only 2 or 3, I realize that the maple boarded BN5 I own, and the ebony boarded BN6 I have, should probably become just one bass: a BN6 with a maple board.

Am I correct in thinking that a BN6 with a maple finger board sounds very much like a BN5 with a maple board?

I know the added mass at the heal of the neck of a BN6 alters the bass's tone, and depending on the year, the BN6's pickup placement isn't exactly the same placement as a BN5's.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a maple boarded BN6 that can me help out?

 

[jim nolte]

As some may know, health problems with my left hand and arm have put me on the path to bass retirement -- I've just been walking it as slowly as I can. Along the way, I have been "thinning the herd," saying reluctant goodbyes to basses along the way.

As I ponder exactly what basses I want if I were to own only 2 or 3, I realize that the maple boarded BN5 I own, and the ebony boarded BN6 I have, should probably become just one bass: a BN6 with a maple board.

Am I correct in thinking that a BN6 with a maple finger board sounds very much like a BN5 with a maple board?

I know the added mass at the heal of the neck of a BN6 alters the bass's tone, and depending on the year, the BN6's pickup placement isn't exactly the same placement as a BN5's.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a maple boarded BN6 that can me help out?

Hmm, I would think that if you're having problems with your left hand and arm you might want to stay away from 6 string basses because of the extra stretch of the left hand.Might even consider a 4 string F with a narrower fretboard. I'm just thinking fretting the B string on a 6 string, especially F 6ers with the wide fretboard, might be putting some stress on your hand and arm. If I was having that problem I would only play my old Jazz for awhile and see if my condition improves. Do you own any 4 stringers with relatively narrow necks? Jim

 

[J.Wolf]

I've had an ash/maple bn5 and bn6. They were both great basses but I liked the bn6 better tonally. I've played other ash/maple bn5's that were slammin though, so it may be more about the resonance of the individual woods than the string count.

 

[jim nolte]

Hmm, I would think that if you're having problems with your left hand and arm you might want to stay away from 6 string basses because of the extra stretch of the left hand.Might even consider a 4 string F with a narrower fretboard. I'm just thinking fretting the B string on a 6 string, especially F 6ers with the wide fretboard, might be putting some stress on your hand and arm. If I was having that problem I would only play my old Jazz for awhile and see if my condition improves. Do you own any 4 stringers with relatively narrow necks? Jim

By the way, if anybody is interested in the old Studio Series Fbass, George is making a run of 6 of them. A really beautiful one is on the website right now. Jim

 

[metalstorm]

Tom,

It sounds like you have a connection with these instruments. Even though they are built by the same builder, each instrument is its own thing. If you develop a connection with one, it doesn't matter what you get, because it won't be that specific instrument that you have bonded with. Just my 2 cents.

As some may know, health problems with my left hand and arm have put me on the path to bass retirement -- I've just been walking it as slowly as I can. Along the way, I have been "thinning the herd," saying reluctant goodbyes to basses along the way.

As I ponder exactly what basses I want if I were to own only 2 or 3, I realize that the maple boarded BN5 I own, and the ebony boarded BN6 I have, should probably become just one bass: a BN6 with a maple board.

Am I correct in thinking that a BN6 with a maple finger board sounds very much like a BN5 with a maple board?

I know the added mass at the heal of the neck of a BN6 alters the bass's tone, and depending on the year, the BN6's pickup placement isn't exactly the same placement as a BN5's.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a maple boarded BN6 that can me help out?

 

[Tom7]

Hmm, I would think that if you're having problems with your left hand and arm you might want to stay away from 6 string basses because of the extra stretch of the left hand.Might even consider a 4 string F with a narrower fretboard. I'm just thinking fretting the B string on a 6 string, especially F 6ers with the wide fretboard, might be putting some stress on your hand and arm. If I was having that problem I would only play my old Jazz for awhile and see if my condition improves. Do you own any 4 stringers with relatively narrow necks? Jim

Yes, the BN5 is definitely easier for me to play. I've considered keeping it, and stringing my Fodera EADGC so that between the two basses I have extended range each way. Maybe I'll give that a try.

The BN6 on David Hughes's albums has a maple board and sounds much like my BN5... I think that is why I keep thinking about this.

 

[Tom7]

I've had an ash/maple bn5 and bn6. They were both great basses but I liked the bn6 better tonally. I've played other ash/maple bn5's that were slammin though, so it may be more about the resonance of the individual woods than the string count.

You make a great point. I had a visit with George on this subject some years ago. He said the the difference in the mass of the heel of the neck, the part of the neck where it meets the bass, is not that different going from 4-string to 5-string basses. However, the added mass for 6-string basses makes it so you can hear the difference between a 5- and a 6-string bass. As a result, George has subtly moved the pickups on BN6s over the years to compensate.

That said, I completely believe as you do that the individual woods of each bass affect the tone as well.

I've sat in music stores playing Fender after Fender and marveled at how different each sounded and played. It's one of the big reasons why I'm a boutique bass guy; I like the idea of each bass being hand built, played and tweaked to its best voice.

 

[Tom7]

Tom,

It sounds like you have a connection with these instruments. Even though they are built by the same builder, each instrument is its own thing. If you develop a connection with one, it doesn't matter what you get, because it won't be that specific instrument that you have bonded with. Just my 2 cents.

I've definitely bonded with these basses, which is why I couldn't just sell them when I realized my playing days were numbered. I'm just thinking about the bare bones crew now: the ones I'll play at my kids' weddings, etc.

 

[Baird6869]

I've definitely bonded with these basses, which is why I couldn't just sell them when I realized my playing days were numbered.

I kinda know what you mean with FBasses.

I haven't even had my FBass a year, but I had really been struggling with keeping my BN5 fretless a couple of months back as it is completely wrong for me. It isn't 34" scale, isn't under 9.5lbs and doesn't have 24 frets. All of my main basses are light and have 24 frets and are 34" scale.

In any case, I really want to hate and not be able to play my 22 fret, 34.5" 10lb+ monster of a FBass so I can decide it isn't right for me and ultimately sell it for something that fits my preferred spec.... Nope. I can't do it. My fretless BN5 just sounds and plays so damned good. My back and technique will have to get used to this bass, I guess.

 

[thewildest]

As some may know, health problems with my left hand and arm have put me on the path to bass retirement -- I've just been walking it as slowly as I can. Along the way, I have been "thinning the herd," saying reluctant goodbyes to basses along the way.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a maple boarded BN6 that can me help out?

Hi Tom, I am very sorry to hear about this, I thought something was cooking as you've not been around much. Not to be innocently hopeful or to throw at you advice you have not asked for, but my Warr Guitar teacher, the great Trey Gunn plays his Warr (which is a tapping instrument) sitting down, and he has spent quite a lot of time working this technique. On that position, whereas your left hand would "fret" the notes as a keyboard, it would be in way less tension than hanging as when you play the bass.

I understand this may be totally out of the question, but I once thought I would never have my right hand tap using all my fingers and after some work ... it is my "favourite" fretting hand believe it or not, way faster than my fret hand that has been doing this forever.

If at least you are intrigued, I would give Trey a call and ask for a 1h coaching session, this could (I definitively wish it does) give you an alternative to selling your beauties. Just a friendly thought, I hope it helps.

Best regards,

 

[Tom7]

Thanks, Gustavo. I'll give it some thought.

I LOVE Wes's BN5 tone on this clip, but when I watch Wes really pushing against the limitations of the bass for high notes in this solo, it makes me want to have a BN6 as one of my last basses, and not necessarily a BN5.

 

[Tom7]

Hi Tom, I am very sorry to hear about this, I thought something was cooking as you've not been around much. Not to be innocently hopeful or to throw at you advice you have not asked for, but my Warr Guitar teacher, the great Trey Gunn plays his Warr (which is a tapping instrument) sitting down, and he has spent quite a lot of time working this technique. On that position, whereas your left hand would "fret" the notes as a keyboard, it would be in way less tension than hanging as when you play the bass.

I understand this may be totally out of the question, but I once thought I would never have my right hand tap using all my fingers and after some work ... it is my "favourite" fretting hand believe it or not, way faster than my fret hand that has been doing this forever.

If at least you are intrigued, I would give Trey a call and ask for a 1h coaching session, this could (I definitively wish it does) give you an alternative to selling your beauties. Just a friendly thought, I hope it helps.

Best regards,

BTW, I do tap, but not that often, and NOTHING like what Trey Gunn is doing.

Your proposal is intriguing though: perhaps with some lighter strings I can look at doing more of it and doing it better.

 

[Tom7]

Thanks, Gustavo. I'll give it some thought.

I LOVE Wes's BN5 tone on this clip, but when I watch Wes really pushing against the limitations of the bass for high notes in this solo, it makes me want to have a BN6 as one of my last basses, and not necessarily a BN5.

In contrast to Wes struggling to eek higher notes during his solo from his BN5 is Jason's great Stanley Clarke cover of Quite Afternoon on a BN6.


And of course there is David Hughes and the great stuff he is always doing on his BN6s:


I think of things like this when I see people saying 6-string basses are harder to play than 5-... to me they are a bit easier, assuming you can make the reaches across the finger board.

 

[jim nolte]

I kinda know what you mean with FBasses.

I haven't even had my FBass a year, but I had really been struggling with keeping my BN5 fretless a couple of months back as it is completely wrong for me. It isn't 34" scale, isn't under 9.5lbs and doesn't have 24 frets. All of my main basses are light and have 24 frets and are 34" scale.

In any case, I really want to hate and not be able to play my 22 fret, 34.5" 10lb+ monster of a FBass so I can decide it isn't right for me and ultimately sell it for something that fits my preferred spec.... Nope. I can't do it. My fretless BN5 just sounds and plays so damned good. My back and technique will have to get used to this bass, I guess.

It's funny, I'm completely the opposite. I've never liked 24 fret 34" scale basses. Had several Carvins years ago and sent them all back during the try out period because first position seemed too much of a stretch, could feel the bass shift on my shoulder strap slightly whenever I was at the first couple of frets and became OCD over it. Same thing with more boutique type basses that I've tried in stores. One of the things I like about the BN series is how the whole neck is shifted towards the right side of your body slightly, if you're are right handed, which brings first position in a little closer. I know some players on TB who didn't like that, couldn't get used to how it hung on a strap and sold theirs. For me it's a advantage, I don't even notice the 34.5 scale because of it. I wear my bass fairly high though, so players who sling it lower probably won't notice the difference. My 10 lbs. BN was such a relief from my 12lbs. SR5, which I still have, that it never seemed heavy to me. If I start to think it's heavy I just strap on the Stingray for an hour or so and the F magically becomes light again ! Jim

 

[Tom7]

Speaking of tapping on a BN6 (ebony board too by the way), I really love this clip. I think this guy has great chops, but also a great musical feel as well:

 

[Baird6869]

It's funny, I'm completely the opposite. I've never liked 24 fret 34" scale basses. Had several Carvins years ago and sent them all back during the try out period because first position seemed too much of a stretch, could feel the bass shift on my shoulder strap slightly whenever I was at the first couple of frets and became OCD over it. Same thing with more boutique type basses that I've tried in stores. One of the things I like about the BN series is how the whole neck is shifted towards the right side of your body slightly, if you're are right handed, which brings first position in a little closer. I know some players on TB who didn't like that, couldn't get used to how it hung on a strap and sold theirs. For me it's a advantage, I don't even notice the 34.5 scale because of it. I wear my bass fairly high though, so players who sling it lower probably won't notice the difference. My 10 lbs. BN was such a relief from my 12lbs. SR5, which I still have, that it never seemed heavy to me. If I start to think it's heavy I just strap on the Stingray for an hour or so and the F magically becomes light again ! Jim

I have to agree about the first position being a bit closer than normal now that I look at the bass. That is definately why the 34.5" of the FBass is workable for me then. I have small hands and play one finger per fret, so anything longer than 34" usually kills my fingers.

Also, my bass is well over 10lbs but a trip to Hamilton to buy one of the padded FBass straps helped a lot with the weight. Well worth the $$$ IMO. Amazing high quality straps.