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Club Fbass (thread 13)

#921
I have an AC 5 intonation issue. It's a used bass from '99. Beautiful condition. Three gigs in and I love it but... Bass has sidelines so a handy visual reference. I was running scales and arpeggios tonight to work on my thing and muscle memory.

If I play a note at the 10th 'fret' on the low B, E and A I'm pretty much playing this note on the line but if I maintain that finger position on the D the note is sharp and sharper still on the G. Seems that notes a perfect 4th apart should not need a shift in finger position to play in tune. Thoughts?
 
#922
That shouldn't happen, as the bridge is fixed.

A couple of questions.
1) Have you tried changing strings?
2) Are you looking across the neck at an angle?
3) Is it only the 10th fret that you have issues with?


Steve Clark said:
I have an AC 5 intonation issue. It's a used bass from '99. Beautiful condition. Three gigs in and I love it but... Bass has sidelines so a handy visual reference. I was running scales and arpeggios tonight to work on my thing and muscle memory.

If I play a note at the 10th 'fret' on the low B, E and A I'm pretty much playing this note on the line but if I maintain that finger position on the D the note is sharp and sharper still on the G. Seems that notes a perfect 4th apart should not need a shift in finger position to play in tune. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
#923
firebass said:
That shouldn't happen, as the bridge is fixed.

A couple of questions.
1) Have you tried changing strings?
2) Are you looking across the neck at an angle?
3) Is it only the 10th fret that you have issues with?
Click to expand...

I got the bass two weeks ago from F Bass. String are still the F Bass strings. I spent time last night crossing slowly from string to string in fourths trying to maintain my finger position. If it was a fretted bass I think it would be easy to fix by changing the saddle position on a bridge. I'm an hour and a bit from F Bass so will take it in to get them to sort it out. I do see that the exposed core of the F bass strings rest on the saddles on the B E and A but on the D and G the winding of the string slight overhangs the saddle on the D and more so on the G. Could that be enough to alter to the intonation? I'm sure they can sort it out.
 
#924
I think that's best, to bring it back to George, especially if it's only 2 weeks since you got it from them, but I'd ask George or Marcel first before taking it all the way back there.

It could still be the strings...

The BEAD strings on my bass are on the core passing over the saddle, although the D only just makes it. The G is on the normal windings over the saddle, not the core.

Having to play on or behind the note line depends on the position on the neck, but not across the same position on different strings.
Invalid Link Removed

I can't replicate your problem on my (unlined) AC5 with F Bass strings.
But it could be my ears aren't as good as yours :)

Does your AC5 have lines or is it unlined?

Anyway, let me know what it was..


Steve Clark said:
I got the bass two weeks ago from F Bass. String are still the F Bass strings. I spent time last night crossing slowly from string to string in fourths trying to maintain my finger position. If it was a fretted bass I think it would be easy to fix by changing the saddle position on a bridge. I'm an hour and a bit from F Bass so will take it in to get them to sort it out. I do see that the exposed core of the F bass strings rest on the saddles on the B E and A but on the D and G the winding of the string slight overhangs the saddle on the D and more so on the G. Could that be enough to alter to the intonation? I'm sure they can sort it out.
Click to expand...
 
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#925
firebass said:
I think that's best, to bring it back to George, especially if it's only 2 weeks since you got it from them, but I'd ask George or Marcel first before taking it all the way back there.

It could still be the strings...

The BEAD strings on my bass are on the core passing over the saddle, although the D only just makes it. The G is on the normal windings over the saddle, not the core.

Having to play on or behind the note line depends on the position on the neck, but not across the same position on different strings.
Invalid Link Removed

I can't replicate your problem on my (unlined) AC5 with F Bass strings.
But it could be my ears aren't as good as yours :)

Does your AC5 have lines or is it unlined?

Anyway, let me know what it was..
Click to expand...


Thanks. Our strings are in the same position on the saddles. My bass is unlined but with side lines. I had a Rob Allen with lines before this and did not have this issue. Although I did not look at it as closely as I am now given the chunk of change I dropped on the bass.

I like the Willis link. The low notes in the range of F and G on the E string have to be played a bit north of the line. I doubt my ears are better. But the tuner's ears are better. Hopefully there's a fix that Marcel and George can sort out. Compensate the nut to some degree would be one solution since the bridge can't be adjusted. I'm fine if the D and G are in the same position without having to roll my finger to get that 4th in tune.
 
#926
Here's another shot! Bridge cover installed! Ready to be delivered!! Cant wait!!!!

image.jpeg
 
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#928
Steve Clark said:
Thanks. Our strings are in the same position on the saddles. My bass is unlined but with side lines. I had a Rob Allen with lines before this and did not have this issue. Although I did not look at it as closely as I am now given the chunk of change I dropped on the bass.

I like the Willis link. The low notes in the range of F and G on the E string have to be played a bit north of the line. I doubt my ears are better. But the tuner's ears are better. Hopefully there's a fix that Marcel and George can sort out. Compensate the nut to some degree would be one solution since the bridge can't be adjusted. I'm fine if the D and G are in the same position without having to roll my finger to get that 4th in tune.
Click to expand...

Set up on the D & G slightly sharp and the B E A were a tad flat. George adjusted the bridge and they also watched my technique. There's a bit of 'operator error' as I move across the bass, but not much. Looking forward to playing the bass for a long time. Hope to get a fretted some time as well.
 
#933
I went to the shop with my AC5 again. I accidentally bought a fretted ash maple BN5. Oh my.

We had a great time listening and switching between 3 different basses plus another BN with ebony board. I played them as well as Tom, one of the staff at F Bass. Marcel listened too. There was one that I kept coming back to that Marcel said I seemed happiest playing. They were all slightly different in tone. I'll post some pics in better light.

Now it's time to sell off what I don't need. What else do you need with a couple of F Basses?
 
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#934
Steve Clark said:
I went to the shop with my AC5 again. I accidentally bought a fretted ash maple BN5. Oh my.

We had a great time listening and switching between 3 different basses plus another BN with ebony board. I played them as well as Tom, one of the staff at F Bass. Marcel listened too. There was one that I kept coming back to that Marcel said I seemed happiest playing. They were all slightly different in tone. I'll post some pics in better light.

Now it's time to sell off what I don't need. What else do you need with a couple of F Basses?
Click to expand...

Congratulations on the new F Bass!

Personally, I'm finding I really don't need anything else. My BN4 is my go to 99% of the time. I only pick up my other bass occasionally as I don't want it to feel neglected.
 
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