Tell me guys, what SERIOUS bass player wouldn't want a bass with these looks and this tone in his or her arsenal?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Looking for a used VF5-J with ash/maple and 70's pickup spacing. Preferably natural or black, but I am open to other finishes. I am located in the Netherlands. Hit me up if you got one that you want to sell and ship to NL. I am not very active on talkbass, so I hope it's OK I post this here.
THIS, guys, is so VERY cool. You have to check it out:
Love it, good catch Tom. Chords sound so good on a F, well everything does! Jim
Hello fellows...how are you doing?? Well, tha GAS is strong within me these days! I'm very happy with my VF4, i'm not a pro, i don't even have a band right now...in the past i owned 2 Fenders (mij) 3 Warwick, an original Steinberger, a Wal and in the last 3 years i had the chance and being lucky enough to try both boutique or high end instruments as Fodera, Ken Lawrence, Carl Thompson, Tobias, serveral other FBass, vintage Fenders and more. I don't want to say my VF is the best, (of course i dont have the skills and the knowledge) but usually i don't believe in "the best" philosophy, i mean, there's not one best bass, movie, or song, or album, or painters, or book...there are several good instruments, good movies, or albums, or bands, and then you, as one specific human being, make the choice that is right for you.
Well, the time has come....i need one more VF4
, i mean....i need a backup
I'm in love also with other basses, in my wish list there's plenty of stringed wood, but this VF basses are really great, they got their character, the sound goes from being defined punchy, to be fatty and crunchy with lot of lowend and tonal possibilities, they are really versatile, lightweight, gracefully balanced even without straps, and kindly comfortable, the neck is a hell of a neck. In the meanwhile a like the thing that IMHO theese are not that exotic, they have this Fender look with their own style (that is beautiful imho), is like they say "i don't need to show you tones of wood and ebony veneers to kick your ass" if you know what i mean.
Anyway guys, just wanted to share with you that i'll probably place a new order soon, and i've already something in mind....keep you updated!!!
Have a good day Flovers!!!
Well, the time has come....i need one more VF4
, i mean....i need a backupI'm in love also with other basses, in my wish list there's plenty of stringed wood, but this VF basses are really great, they got their character, the sound goes from being defined punchy, to be fatty and crunchy with lot of lowend and tonal possibilities, they are really versatile, lightweight, gracefully balanced even without straps, and kindly comfortable, the neck is a hell of a neck. In the meanwhile a like the thing that IMHO theese are not that exotic, they have this Fender look with their own style (that is beautiful imho), is like they say "i don't need to show you tones of wood and ebony veneers to kick your ass" if you know what i mean.
Anyway guys, just wanted to share with you that i'll probably place a new order soon, and i've already something in mind....keep you updated!!!
Have a good day Flovers!!!
hey guys, I am thinking of picking up a AC6. The default strings are round wound F bass exposed strings. I believe Labella makes customize strings for FBass but these strings do not come in anything else other than stainless steel. I know from owning the fretted 6 string, the exposed core allows it to be set up really low which is nice but stainless steel isn't my choice.
The default strings are smoother than the default stainless steel strings on my Sadowsky but they are still not as smooth as my R. Cocco or Elixir in nickel. I like my strings a little more smooth.
Have anyone of you used anything other than the FBass exposed core, stainless steel strings?
If you have, how does it affect the string height?
How do you think it will affect the fretless Fbass?
Thanks for any information in advance.
The default strings are smoother than the default stainless steel strings on my Sadowsky but they are still not as smooth as my R. Cocco or Elixir in nickel. I like my strings a little more smooth.
Have anyone of you used anything other than the FBass exposed core, stainless steel strings?
If you have, how does it affect the string height?
How do you think it will affect the fretless Fbass?
Thanks for any information in advance.
Hi,
I have AC5 and I've been using LaBella Supersteps on it because they have exposed core
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
I was at the shop yesterday with my good buddy. Talked to the guys and we're gonna be working on a bass soon! So excited!!
I have more than one AC6, and I keep Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on one of them. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], but they last a very long time.
Below is a video I made using 2 different basses to compare the tones of 3 different sets of strings:
• Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats have a highly pliable steel core wrapped with a silk inlay. The outer winding is a ribbon flatwound of nickel alloy.
• FBass's exposed core strings have a looser feel, bigger tone, and a clearer fundamental.
• D'Addario Nylon Tapewound strings produce a deep, warm tone with smooth feel.
Thanks for the indepth review on youtube. Other than the F Bass exposed core, all of them are non exposed right?
Could you tell me how the Thomastik and D'addarios affect the string height and playability?
Does any of these chew up the fretboard more than the others?
Today I was told that some long scale strings do not fit the AC due to the through the body string retainer, are you using super long or long (as in 34 inch)
Thanks in advance.
Could you tell me how the Thomastik and D'addarios affect the string height and playability?
Does any of these chew up the fretboard more than the others?
Today I was told that some long scale strings do not fit the AC due to the through the body string retainer, are you using super long or long (as in 34 inch)
Thanks in advance.
Last edited:
I have never played or spent more than 3 minutes on a fretless. Talk about jumping into the deep end of the pool, or should I say the deepest part of the pacific ocean. I got the F Bass AC6 in violin amber yesterday. this thing is awesome!! I just discovered a whole new meaning to the word concentration when playing. LOL
I have to admit, the G and C string intonation is addictive! Seems the thinner the strings, the sexier the tone.
I did ask about other strings. 3 different people recommended the FBass string followed by La bella super steps followed by Ken Smith Burner slick wound, followed by taper core (any type). Ken Smith is proven to be an excellent alternative, so these 3 different people told me that KS in nickel is as good as it gets if nickel is desired.
As to other taper core, the results vary but it is better than any non taper.
One last thing, what I thought was just a print logo on the bag, is actually stitched. My mistake. Good job F bass!
I have to admit, the G and C string intonation is addictive! Seems the thinner the strings, the sexier the tone.
I did ask about other strings. 3 different people recommended the FBass string followed by La bella super steps followed by Ken Smith Burner slick wound, followed by taper core (any type). Ken Smith is proven to be an excellent alternative, so these 3 different people told me that KS in nickel is as good as it gets if nickel is desired.
As to other taper core, the results vary but it is better than any non taper.
One last thing, what I thought was just a print logo on the bag, is actually stitched. My mistake. Good job F bass!
Sorry for the tardy reply.
Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats are not exposed core or tapered strings, so they definitely sit higher coming over the bridge, but they are VERY soft strings, so by the time the strings reach the finger board, the action is right about where FBass exposed core strings are.
For a short time I used another round wound string on one of my AC6s and although they sounded great, I quickly removed them when I noticed they bit into the ebony finger board. My experience with FBass strings on a fretless is that they do not chew up the fretboard. The Labella nylon flats don't either, and neither do the Thomastik nickel flats.
Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats are not exposed core or tapered strings, so they definitely sit higher coming over the bridge, but they are VERY soft strings, so by the time the strings reach the finger board, the action is right about where FBass exposed core strings are.
For a short time I used another round wound string on one of my AC6s and although they sounded great, I quickly removed them when I noticed they bit into the ebony finger board. My experience with FBass strings on a fretless is that they do not chew up the fretboard. The Labella nylon flats don't either, and neither do the Thomastik nickel flats.
@Whippet - I use Ken Smith strings on my BN5, and I like 'em.
I had to smile at your comments about a C string being addictive. I hope I never have to play a fretless bass with less than 6 strings ever again.
I can play 5-string and 4-string fretted basses, and I can see a reason to play them, but when it comes to fretless, playing 6-strings gives you so many choices... it is freedom.
I had to smile at your comments about a C string being addictive. I hope I never have to play a fretless bass with less than 6 strings ever again.
I can play 5-string and 4-string fretted basses, and I can see a reason to play them, but when it comes to fretless, playing 6-strings gives you so many choices... it is freedom.
I immediately noticed the C string. So I asked the manager at the store and he said that many customers who bought the 5 string version converted it to a high c setup. I am in the same camp with you, personally on a fretted, any number of strings is fine, but less than a 6 string of a fretless seems like a waste. It's like eating half a meal. You never get full.
I was told that you can alter the height of the saddle but it will take a day at the shop because they need to take apart the bridge. But after reading your post, I will try the Thomastik Infelds and Labella Nylon on them. I have always wondered what nylon strings do to a bass guitar. My only problem is locating them in Japan. If worse comes to worse I will order them from abroad.
Just one question, Thomastik and Labella, what is the string length on these things? Because of the through body construction, I would have guessed that it would be short unless they are super long.
Something interesting was that a very expensive bass like the F or the Pedulla is much easier to play than a cheap fretless. I can find the correct intonation easier on these bass than a cheap bass. I thought it was just my imagination but it wasn't just me. 2 others said the same thing. So despite good cheap equipment coming out, in this regard there is no substitute, an expensive guitar is better than a good cheap instrument. You get an F bass, you just play better and easier, at the same time enjoy life.
Whippet,
I'm pretty sure you can get the strings you want here in Tokyo.
Try Ikebe Bass Collection or http://www.digimart.net or Invalid Link Removed
I'm pretty sure you can get the strings you want here in Tokyo.
Try Ikebe Bass Collection or http://www.digimart.net or Invalid Link Removed
Right, sorry for forgot to mention the length. Both the Thomastiks and the LaBellas are sufficiently long for the AC6.
