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Club Fbass (thread 13)

Here’s a shout out to Fbass and Reimer guitars :)

The VF5 is extra special.
Brazilian RW board built by Dan Minton!
So cool and the woods sing! Love it!

Beautiful Canadian builds:

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I’ve been using Fbass strings for 20 yrs. Recently, my beloved BN5 has been suffering from some fret buzz.

I threw on some Fat Beams and there is significantly less buzz. AND I was able to lower the action.

Anyone else experience more buzz with recent Fbass strings? I’m aware, as is mentioned on the Fbass website, that exposed strings can buzz more, but it’s been worse recently.

The bass still sounds killer, and the Fat Beams were about 15 bucks cheaper, so, there’s that.
 
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I’ve noticed some buzzes on my Standard and Deluxe, but I’ve been experimenting with strings and not doing a complete setup after each change. I’m blaming the lack of proper maintenance.

On the Standard, I just tried the Recessed/Exposed Core Power Wound from SIT and the B has a single wrap instead of a fully exposed (possibly the E too, but I’m not looking at it now and my memory is failing me at the moment). The windings start closer to the saddles.

I’m about ready to try the SIT Foundations on the Deluxe and another 5. It’s been an expensive experiment but ear opening. I’m currently fighting the urge to put the D’addario black tapes on the Standard since I’m enjoying them so much on the BNF. I feel like the matte/satin finish of the bass would be a tactile match for the strings, and I could still get zingy with my Deluxe.
 
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On the topic of strings. I’ve landed with GHS Super Steel contact core for my beloved AC5 and Rotosound Swing 66 for my BN5 and BN4.

I did very much enjoy the La Bella Ian Martin Allison strings on the BN5 and BN4. I’ve since moved those to a headless S . Martyn Blaze 32” bass I play for those special 80s gigs :)
 
Just added this beautiful new VF4-PJ (my first F-bass!) to the family!

I’d been on the hunt for a solid P-style bass to round out my collection, and as soon as I came across this model, I knew I had to give it a shot. The playability is incredible, and the tone is just as impressive, I couldn’t be happier.

Curious if any of you have tried TI flats on your vf-PJ? How do they pair up?

Best regards
Rasmus
 

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Guess i will have to try i out myself. Fortunately i got a pair of TI flats in my drawer!
How are the tapes?

I’m a pretty clumsy fretless player so it’s hard to say with authority. I think they feel amazing. The wrap has a texture that is almost cloth-like, and it doesn’t feel plastic like you might think. I’m not sure how to best describe the sound. They thump like flats but seem to have a bit more life and energy, like rounds without the zing. I think they sustain longer than flats I’ve tried, which are usually Chromes on other basses. I had just tried DR Legends on the BNF prior to the tapes and they were fine but not particularly noteworthy.

Overall I like them enough to think about getting a set for my BN5. I should probably just swap a few strings between basses for a test. I haven’t done that mainly because the BN5 is set up for exposed core strings.

Edit to add - The price makes them an expensive gamble if you’re unsure. There are a few YouTube demos on them and if those demos are interesting then it is probably worth the plunge.
 
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@Rasmusraye I've played TI flats on my BN5 and AC5, I prefer the rounds on both, the bass preamp is much more impactful where I felt I could get the "flats tone" with rounds, closer than I could get the "rounds tone" with flats...

I did not like the TI JF B string at all, and for a while played with the F Bass B string with the flats on my AC5 and a GHS Super Steel B in place of the TI JF B on the BN5.
 
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In my experience wrapped B strings sound better than exposed core B strings and according to a very extensive discussion of the subject here on TB several years ago it’s because the B string benefits from having more mass pushing down on the bridge saddle which can have a positive effect on how the string vibrates, less “ warble “, but I’m sure a million people will chime in saying the opposite 😀 , my supplied open core strings that were on my BN5 lasted about a week before I replaced them with standard wrapped varieties.