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Hi All. I don't want to cross post in multiple places, but I thought the club might dig my NBD thread I just started about my new F bass. It is really killer and I am very happy to be back in the club after a short period where I was without and F bass.
NBD - F bass with aguilar DCBs
NBD - F bass with aguilar DCBs
I wish Fbass still made their single coil jazz pickups. Man did they ever nail the '60s tone with those.
It's time for a "I ordered my BN6 52 days ago" thread bump!
Time is going quicker than I expected it to. I also sold 1 of the 3 (or maybe 2...) basses I needed to sell prior to the F arriving so that's good.
I decided to keep my Fender Jazz Deluxe V until the F comes, primarily to gauge whether or not it's as good as I think it is. I've played only a few dozen basses and only owned 4, but it's by far the best playing bass I've touched.
I'm also contemplating the idea of throwing a warmoth fretless neck on it - though that would delay my plans for an AC6...
Time is going quicker than I expected it to. I also sold 1 of the 3 (or maybe 2...) basses I needed to sell prior to the F arriving so that's good.
I decided to keep my Fender Jazz Deluxe V until the F comes, primarily to gauge whether or not it's as good as I think it is. I've played only a few dozen basses and only owned 4, but it's by far the best playing bass I've touched.
I'm also contemplating the idea of throwing a warmoth fretless neck on it - though that would delay my plans for an AC6...
Updated! And congratulations; I love that finish. Is that the brown burst BN5 that's been listed on fretspot.com lately?
That's an interesting idea to change out the neck on your Fender Jazz Deluxe V to make it fretless. When I was 17, I filed down the frets of my 1976 Fender Jazz. It worked out for me, but in retrospect I was SUPER lucky and would not recommend it.
One more thing: looking at your Fender in another thread, do you happen to know the string spacing on your Jazz V?
Some guys jump back and forth between string spacing better than others, but whenever I go from 19mm (standard string spacing on Fbasses and 4-string Fenders, etc.) to something narrower, I spend the first couple of minutes messing up as my hands adjust -- which I don't like doing during a live gig. Consequently, I've standardized all my basses on 19mm.
Fiesta red is coming! This VF4 will have rosewood fingerboard with clay dots, bindings, a BN neck with BN headstock and a 2 piece alder body...few weeks left! Very excited!!
Yeah, if it had one more string you might not have had a chance to buy it.
Great finish. There's something about that rough wood background that makes your bass look even better.
Hey guys! I'm new to the world of boutique basses, been using my 4 string Fender Jazz for close to 10 years now.. Am currently looking at a used Fbass BN5 and a VF5. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is the difference between these 2? I am more inclined to think that BN5 is more versatile, and could be great in both live and studio applications. Also, any tips on what to look out for when purchasing a used Fbass? Much appreciated, thanks everyone!
I have a BN5 and AC5 and a used VF5 on the way. The BN5 is the best bass I've ever played. Very versatile for all the different work I do. I'm a selling my Sadowsky basses to help fund the VF. Until the VF5 arrives I can't compare but I know I will be happier with the F bass pre in the VF over the Sadowsky. I think later VF come with Aggie pre and pups. This one is the F Bass pre I believe.
How they are similar:Hey guys! I'm new to the world of boutique basses, been using my 4 string Fender Jazz for close to 10 years now.. Am currently looking at a used Fbass BN5 and a VF5. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is the difference between these 2? I am more inclined to think that BN5 is more versatile, and could be great in both live and studio applications. Also, any tips on what to look out for when purchasing a used Fbass? Much appreciated, thanks everyone!
. They both balance very well on the strap -- better than Fenders (and every other bass I've tried).
. They share the same knob control layout.
. They have the same, wonderfully organic boost-only preamp.
. They have fast, fun necks.
. They are really well built.
How they are different:
. VF5s have a separate battery compartment which does not require any tools.
. VF5s are usually 34 inch scale length and BN5s are usually 34.5 inch scale length.
. BN5 pickups are split coil, so you can have a strong, meaty single coil tone, or a smooth, tasty humbucking tone.
. The VF5 body style is a svelte nod to Fender, while the BN5 is its own (very appealing) shape.
. The BN5's pickup covers are wider and make great finger ramps.
. The distance between the strings under your right hand and the body of the bass is far shorter on the VF5 than the BN5. In my case, it allows me to "anchor" my right hand in a way that makes some playing styles easier, including slapping. It's not a big deal at all, it's just a difference so I thought I'd mention it.
. You can build BN5s with different woods and pickups, but most of them have swamp ash bodies, maple or ebony finger boards, and 60s (ish) pickup placement. On the other hand, VF5s can be built to a 70s jazz vibe, a 60s jazz vibe, a Music Man vibe, a Precision Bass vibe, or a hybrid if desired.
In my case, I think my BN5 is the single most versatile fretted bass I've owned. Tonally, it is even more versatile than my BN6. I also love how it looks, and how it places more of the fingerboard closer to my body, which helps a surprising amount with arm and shoulder fatigue. If I can only bring one bass, and if I'm sure I won't need a C string, then I bring my BN5. I have had bandmates who specifically requested that I play this bass.
My VF5 has a look that just fits with some bands and circumstances, so that is a consideration for me. Because it doesn't have the noise canceling that my BN5 has, if the gig is someplace with dirty power, then my VF5 is noisier. And because VF5s can be built to fit a certain vibe, it has the potential to hit that mark better.
If I could only have one, then it would depend on what I think I'll be playing. If I know I'll always be playing in a band that plays a certain kind of music, and a VF can be built to nail that sound and image (appearance), then that is the bass I'd choose. If I play with lots of different guys and lots of different styles, or if I want a signature sound or look, then I'd choose the BN5.
I've got nerve problems that affect my hands, so I've been slowly parting with basses as I can stand to part with them. Some have not been played more than a couple of times in the last few years. But if I were in acquisition mode, I think I'd have a BN5 for j-bass sounds, and have a VF5 made that has a MM bridge pickup and a Pbass neck pickup. I don't know if I would play with them both at the same time, but with one bass I could dial in one or the other for the sounds my BN5 wouldn't easily get.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,941
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I took the BN4 out for a gig this weekend as my "control" bass (the Drake Custom 4 is in for review), and it was - predictably - just glorious!
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