Club Fbass (thread 13)

[Tom7]

Here is Dave's video of single plucked notes:

 

[swedbass]

Dave Hughes has posted a VERY interesting comparison of Fbass pickups to Aguilar. This must have taken him a lot of time; I'm very glad he did this for us all. Here is his chord video.

Hehe, didn't take too much time ;-)

It's the kind of video I was looking for when I was considering swapping my F Bass pickups for the Aguilars, but I couldn't find one...

I wish to clarify that the F Bass pickups in the videos are the stacked single coils with humcancelling mode that are found in the BN models, NOT the VF-series single coils. In the videos I play them in single coil mode.

 

[jim nolte]

Hehe, didn't take too much time ;-)

It's the kind of video I was looking for when I was considering swapping my F Bass pickups for the Aguilars, but I couldn't find one...

I wish to clarify that the F Bass pickups in the videos are the stacked single coils with humcancelling mode that are found in the BN models, NOT the VF-series single coils. In the videos I play them in single coil mode.

So the Aggies on the BN are the same that's on the VF series, just single coil only? Beautiful chord work there by the way! The F pups seems to have a little more depth on my monitors, and you would have the option of the Humbucker mode tone options along with it, but it's close. Jim

 

[Dave Hill]

So the Aggies on the BN are the same that's on the VF series, just single coil only? Beautiful chord work there by the way! The F pups seems to have a little more depth on my monitors, and you would have the option of the Humbucker mode tone options along with it, but it's close. Jim

And, so, you chose.....?

 

[Tom7]

Hehe, didn't take too much time ;-)

It's the kind of video I was looking for when I was considering swapping my F Bass pickups for the Aguilars, but I couldn't find one...

I wish to clarify that the F Bass pickups in the videos are the stacked single coils with humcancelling mode that are found in the BN models, NOT the VF-series single coils. In the videos I play them in single coil mode.

I was thinking specifically of the video editing, which hops between basses again and again without missing a beat. Thanks for doing this, though; it was an interesting study.

 

[Tom7]

Ever since the chords and single note lines videos, I've been wondering if David was planning a slap video. I guess I have my answer:

 

[Tom7]

By the way guys, this slap song is one of David's originals. It's called "Snowflake" and it is from his album Foreign Shores and is available on iTunes and probably other places. This is in all honesty one of my all time favorite bass albums, and in my opinion, it is a must have for all Fbass owners. Talk about TASTY!

I think the album version of this song was played with a 1960s Fender Jazz (rosewood finger board, alder body), but David said he can get the same tone from his Fbasses, and as you can hear in the video clip, he certainly can.

David, now that I can see your hands, well, almost (you've got some pretty fast plucking happening there!) I think I might take a stab at learning at least some of this. Thanks again for taking the trouble to post it.

 

[jim nolte]

And, so, you chose.....?

The F pups. Back when I bought my BN, 15 years ago this month actually, almost all of the "boutique" basses I tried out had Barts. They were all nice sounding but similar sounding. I did play a Modulus with EMG, that had a unique sound though, couldn't tell how much of that was the graphite neck or electronics. When I first played the F it really had a different sound then all the Bart basses. Don't think Aguilar pups were being used that much back then, at least on my limited experience. The f pups just had this great big fat bottom with a far better top end then the SR5 that I had been playing for 5 years, at least to my ears, a little sweeter, not harsh. Now having said that, I don't have humbuckers on my bass. I have the old P style that are on Alain Carons' fretted, although they are under the current HB shells, and with the F pre-amp and not the Aguilar that I believe his has. The Aggies sound good in the video, haven't listened to the slap version yet, and I may just be biased because those F pups were a big reason why I made my purchase, they didn't sound like all the Bart basses I tried and had been hearing everywhere. YMMD, IMHO and all that jazz, Jim

 

[jim nolte]

The F pups. Back when I bought my BN, 15 years ago this month actually, almost all of the "boutique" basses I tried out had Barts. They were all nice sounding but similar sounding. I did play a Modulus with EMG, that had a unique sound though, couldn't tell how much of that was the graphite neck or electronics. When I first played the F it really had a different sound then all the Bart basses. Don't think Aguilar pups were being used that much back then, at least on my limited experience. The f pups just had this great big fat bottom with a far better top end then the SR5 that I had been playing for 5 years, at least to my ears, a little sweeter, not harsh. Now having said that, I don't have humbuckers on my bass. I have the old P style that are on Alain Carons' fretted, although they are under the current HB shells, and with the F pre-amp and not the Aguilar that I believe his has. The Aggies sound good in the video, haven't listened to the slap version yet, and I may just be biased because those F pups were a big reason why I made my purchase, they didn't sound like all the Bart basses I tried and had been hearing everywhere. YMMD, IMHO and all that jazz, Jim

And I would add that I haven't played a bass with Aguilar pups so I'm basing all this on sound clips. I might have a different opinion if I had one in my hands. Jim

 

[JRB]

Hi All,

Finally back in the club after a long break. Looks like I still have club member number 138. I had a BN5 that I sold a number of years ago and always missed. Now I am back thanks to blen dem, with the new to me VF5. Happy NBD!!!

 

[blen dem]

Not gonna lie, selling this one hurt more than I thought it would but I know your gonna make some beautiful music with it. Definitely gonna miss it but glad she found a new home in some very capable hands! Enjoy Jonathan and truly a pleasure meeting you today!

 

[Dave Hill]

sweet VF!

 

[Tom7]

sweet VF!

I agree. I was watching that thread because I love the look of that VF... the blocks, the body wood... that is just my style. Great catch, Jonathon.

CLUB FBASS ROSTER
(Updated 20 April 2015)

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

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, VF5
135. uilleann13 - jmondick
136. ursus - BN5,
137. BN5
138. BN5 - 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

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

 

[jim nolte]

Hi All,

Finally back in the club after a long break. Looks like I still have club member number 138. I had a BN5 that I sold a number of years ago and always missed. Now I am back thanks to blen dem, with the new to me VF5. Happy NBD!!!

View attachment 600738

Simple and elegant, congrats, Jim

 

[Tom7]

I thought it was pretty cool to watch Marcel in action:

 

[judeix808]

Hello F bassers! Not asking for a number, as I don't own an F Bass. However, I do have the fortune, being that I'm on vacation from work, to "test drive" my friends BN5 for the week. It's been through a few hands, and I believe my friend is the 4th or 5th owner. Just wanted to give my (possibly unwanted/unneeded) thoughts.

(My main bass is an older model Ibanez Prestige 5 string from around 99/2000)
Picked it up from him yesterday afternoon. Noodled around on it for about an hour and a half before going to sleep, mainly just playing along to originals from my 2 bands, as well as other music. When I first took it out, the first thing I noticed was that it was lighter than my Ibanez, (my SR605 would've been a little lighter that this) which was a nice surprise. Other than that, it wasn't like the heavens opened up with choirs of angels singing. But after a couple of minutes, the differences began to appear.

(I didn't do much with the eq. Lows rolled off, mids open, highs approx. 75%. Just mostly played with the passive/active setting and single coil/hum canceling setting)
First thing I noticed was the tone. Nice "woody" tone which reminded me of when I first got my Ibby (which I attribute to the strings being completely dead on the Ibby), just more prominent, which I like. Reminds me a bit of some older P bass tones (ex: early Steve Harris/Iron Maiden) I must add that the strings on the F bass are a little tired also. Also, the notes are very clear all around. I didn't do much above the 12th fret, but I really loved the clarity of the higher notes.

The neck is, IMO, the best neck I've felt. Smooth finger board and, quite frankly, just plain comfortable. Also, and this may sound weird, but the ergonomics of the body almost felt easier for my right hand.

Played around a little more with it this morning (and getting ready to go back to the shed in a little while), and I must say I'm loving it. In a way, I'm glad my friend isn't selling it, as I don't have the scratch for it at the moment. But I'd probably find a way to make it happen if he were.

I must say that one day, there will be an F Bass in my arsenal in the future (hopefully in the next year or two). A quality instrument which far surpasses my skill level. But then again, almost any bass I put in my hands surpass my skill, but we can all have nice things once in a while, right??

 

[Tom7]

Sometimes, when you spent a long time with just one bass, another bass can be difficult to like in part because it just isn't as familiar... so I'm impressed you were able to discover some of Fbass's virtues.

I first noticed Fbass when someone posted a photo of his BN5 on talk bass. The dark grain and body shape was so striking I kept coming back to look at it again and again.

Then I started reading reviews on Fbasses. I was particularly swayed by a Bass Player Magazine review where they loved it, and really praised it for how flexible it was in terms of tone.

So yes, it really does do a nice, old-school P-Bass tone -- along with a pretty satisfactory (Jaco-like) bridge pickup tone as well.

As for its ergonomics, that is one of Fbass's best kept secrets. The balance on the strap is such that it puts more of the fingerboard underneath you. That makes your right hand more comfortable, makes your left hand not have to reach as far out, and lets you see your fingerboard better while gigging -- which is especially helpful if you are playing a fretless bass.

So are you on the mainland as you try this? Or in Hawaii?

Oh, by the way, the Fbass preamp is BOOST ONLY, so you actually can't "roll off" lows or mids. Instead, you boost what you want, and don't boost what you want "rolled off." I wondered if I would like this, but as an owner of many great and high end basses (Fodera, Alleva Coppolo, etc.), I confess I like Fbass's preamp most of all. The Volume/Volume configuration helps me carefully dial in just the right sound in a way that is very hard for Volume / Pan basses to do.

Here's a photo of my BN5:

And here is a clip of David Hughes playing his BN5. I think it is VERY worth listening to the entire clip (it's just 3:53) because he tweaks pickup balance and preamp settings as he goes so we can hear its flexibility.

Hello F bassers! Not asking for a number, as I don't own an F Bass. However, I do have the fortune, being that I'm on vacation from work, to "test drive" my friends BN5 for the week. It's been through a few hands, and I believe my friend is the 4th or 5th owner. Just wanted to give my (possibly unwanted/unneeded) thoughts.

(My main bass is an older model Ibanez Prestige 5 string from around 99/2000)
Picked it up from him yesterday afternoon. Noodled around on it for about an hour and a half before going to sleep, mainly just playing along to originals from my 2 bands, as well as other music. When I first took it out, the first thing I noticed was that it was lighter than my Ibanez, (my SR605 would've been a little lighter that this) which was a nice surprise. Other than that, it wasn't like the heavens opened up with choirs of angels singing. But after a couple of minutes, the differences began to appear.

(I didn't do much with the eq. Lows rolled off, mids open, highs approx. 75%. Just mostly played with the passive/active setting and single coil/hum canceling setting)
First thing I noticed was the tone. Nice "woody" tone which reminded me of when I first got my Ibby (which I attribute to the strings being completely dead on the Ibby), just more prominent, which I like. Reminds me a bit of some older P bass tones (ex: early Steve Harris/Iron Maiden) I must add that the strings on the F bass are a little tired also. Also, the notes are very clear all around. I didn't do much above the 12th fret, but I really loved the clarity of the higher notes.

The neck is, IMO, the best neck I've felt. Smooth finger board and, quite frankly, just plain comfortable. Also, and this may sound weird, but the ergonomics of the body almost felt easier for my right hand.

Played around a little more with it this morning (and getting ready to go back to the shed in a little while), and I must say I'm loving it. In a way, I'm glad my friend isn't selling it, as I don't have the scratch for it at the moment. But I'd probably find a way to make it happen if he were.

I must say that one day, there will be an F Bass in my arsenal in the future (hopefully in the next year or two). A quality instrument which far surpasses my skill level. But then again, almost any bass I put in my hands surpass my skill, but we can all have nice things once in a while, right??

 

[Tom7]

Here's another clip -- only this BN5 has an ebony board.



I don't have a BN5 with an ebony fingerboard, but I have two BN6s with an ebony board:

 

[judeix808]

Sometimes, when you spent a long time with just one bass, another bass can be difficult to like in part because it just isn't as familiar... so I'm impressed you were able to discover some of Fbass's virtues.

I first noticed Fbass when someone posted a photo of his BN5 on talk bass. The dark grain and body shape was so striking I kept coming back to look at it again and again.

Then I started reading reviews on Fbasses. I was particularly swayed by a Bass Player Magazine review where they loved it, and really praised it for how flexible it was in terms of tone.

So yes, it really does do a nice, old-school P-Bass tone -- along with a pretty satisfactory (Jaco-like) bridge pickup tone as well.

As for its ergonomics, that is one of Fbass's best kept secrets. The balance on the strap is such that it puts more of the fingerboard underneath you. That makes your right hand more comfortable, makes your left hand not have to reach as far out, and lets you see your fingerboard better while gigging -- which is especially helpful if you are playing a fretless bass.

So are you on the mainland as you try this? Or in Hawaii?

Oh, by the way, the Fbass preamp is BOOST ONLY, so you actually can't "roll off" lows or mids. Instead, you boost what you want, and don't boost what you want "rolled off." I wondered if I would like this, but as an owner of many great and high end basses (Fodera, Alleva Coppolo, etc.), I confess I like Fbass's preamp most of all. The Volume/Volume configuration helps me carefully dial in just the right sound in a way that is very hard for Volume / Pan basses to do.

Here's a photo of my BN5:

And here is a clip of David Hughes playing his BN5. I think it is VERY worth listening to the entire clip (it's just 3:53) because he tweaks pickup balance and preamp settings as he goes so we can hear its flexibility.

Hey Tom7,

Thanks for the info on the pre-amp. Didn't know that.

I'm in Hawaii, didn't go anywhere for my vacay. I'm just boring like that. lol

I am familiar with David Hughes and his wife and have conversed via facebook about their F Basses. In fact, I've been listening a little more to David over that past week or so on youtube. Excellent would be an understatement concerning his playing.

And that's a beauty you have there.

 

[judeix808]

One thing I left out.......

The only thing I really had to adjust to was the string spacing, with the Fbass being a bit wider than my Ibby. But that didn't take too long.