Club Fbass (thread 13)

[Tom7]

I originally asked for 35" but 34.5" was a recommendation of Marcel. I've copied his comments here: "34.5” scale (strongly recommended for good balance from B to C…we don’t offer 35” scale as we aren’t fans of how thin sounding the C string becomes)"

For what it is worth, I COMPLETELY agree with Marcel about the C string. In fact, it's the reason I passed on a Fodera 6er, and found F-Bass for 6-string basses.

Obviously, lengthening a bass doesn't just tighten one string, it tightens all of them. While that may be good for the B string, I cringe a bit listening to the tinny, strident C string. To me, a 35" scale length C string doesn't sound like it's tone coming from a bass.

 

[Tom7]

Thanks Tom7, glad to be part of the FBass family, here some pics of the new "baby".

Please pardon my drool.

 

[J.Wolf]

I've learned to judge each bass independent of its scale length. My buddy's 33" has easily the most commanding B string I've heard. My old Roscoe was a 35" and had a wonderfully full and musical C string. At the end of the day it comes down to the sum of the design components, not a particular spec. That said, the stereotypes are often true about scale and B (or C) strings. But... the right builder with the right materials, and all of a sudden, how scale length affects those extra strings is no longer a foregone conclusion in my book.

I really liked my BN6's C string. The B wasnt quite as commanding as my Skjold or my Roscoe, but plenty musical and clear for my tastes.

 

[basses55]

For what it is worth, I COMPLETELY agree with Marcel about the C string. In fact, it's the reason I passed on a Fodera 6er, and found F-Bass for 6-string basses.

Obviously, lengthening a bass doesn't just tighten one string, it tightens all of them. While that may be good for the B string, I cringe a bit listening to the tinny, strident C string. To me, a 35" scale length C string doesn't sound like it's tone coming from a bass.

Wood choice also is a factor. The ash that FBass uses is generally slightly scooped which probebly contributed to how the c responds to 35" also along with whatever else in an Fbass build. Personally, I've never loved the feel of even the G strings on a 35", causing me to downsize to 40 gauge from 45 when I had 35" ers.

 

[GRoberts]

the finish change I want to say happened around '03 or '04 from the softer nitro to the "crystal" finish. I prefer the feel of the older nitro, but mine definitely wasnt as durable as the newer finish. I still prefer the feel of the older finish under my hands.

It seems to me like the neck shape changed around 02 or 03 as well. The older ones being more sleek and fast, the newer being slightly more full. Tonally there was a similar change. My older BN6 had a more lean midrange that took mid eq nicely. My more recent BN5 had a built in meat/bulk to the tone that I never really got comfortable with. Not sure if thats the neck shape influencing tone, or the pickup voicing or what, but I'm not the only one to have made these observations over the years.

If any of this info is incorrect, someone please correct me.

I played a current BN5 recently at a dealer and the neck felt great to me. Its been so long since I had the 2003 BN5's, I can't say if it felt any different. But it sure felt GOOD. Tonally, the BN5 was immediately magical and compelling tonally. Loved it and miss mine too. I jumped ship from FBass years ago for Nordstrand VJ5's which have been great. Serving me well. But there is a magic to the BN5. Now I want one again, but I am aging and the 10lb threshold seems like it could be challenging. ...and I would have to flip one of my beloved Nordy VJ5's to make it happen.

On the other hand, while my Nordy's are different wood and PU's, it sort of makes sense to me to have a different sonic palette and feel. A BN5 would give me something I don't have.

I've played the Maccasar Ebony Fingeboard BN5's and they seem consistently great. I haven't compared to maple FB models however. Do you guys notice much of a different between Maple FB's versus Mac?

 

[basses55]

I played a current BN5 recently at a dealer and the neck felt great to me. Its been so long since I had the 2003 BN5's, I can't say if it felt any different. But it sure felt GOOD. Tonally, the BN5 was immediately magical and compelling tonally. Loved it and miss mine too. I jumped ship from FBass years ago for Nordstrand VJ5's which have been great. Serving me well. But there is a magic to the BN5. Now I want one again, but I am aging and the 10lb threshold seems like it could be challenging. ...and I would have to flip one of my beloved Nordy VJ5's to make it happen.

On the other hand, while my Nordy's are different wood and PU's, it sort of makes sense to me to have a different sonic palette and feel. A BN5 would give me something I don't have.

I've played the Maccasar Ebony Fingeboard BN5's and they seem consistently great. I haven't compared to maple FB models however. Do you guys notice much of a different between Maple FB's versus Mac?

Hey Gary see my post last page in answer to your weight concern.
For me there is a significant tonal difference between mac and maple, maybe others won't feel that way. George and Marcel feel the same as I do so talk to them about that too.
Cheers.

 

[GRoberts]

Hey Gary see my post last page in answer to your weight concern.
For me there is a significant tonal difference between mac and maple, maybe others won't feel that way. George and Marcel feel the same as I do so talk to them about that too.
Cheers.

Thanks! been a while since I've chatted in this room. I miss my BN5 sound. The last two BN5's that I played that had Mac FB's sounded killer. I quickly dialed in a sound that was love at first pluck. LOL

Do you prefer mac or maple? How would you characterize the difference? I can certainly call F bass. That makes sense too. But just sort of doing some due diligence.

also, its been so long, I forget if you can dial back to the bridge, boost midrange and get a killer fingerstyle burpy growl that is almost 'fretless' sounding? I know I can get a killer slap tone for sure. Thanks!

 

[GRoberts]

Don't give up on that idea. Talk to Marcel or George as they can hand select a piece of ash, possibly swamp...or alder...or alder winged ash core body woods that could come in at 9 or thereabouts. I'm pretty sure about this.
The preference is 10ish but there is possibility for less.

This must be the post you mentioned. Cool idea. Maybe ordering exactly what I want makes the most sense instead of choosing an available stock bass from a dealer. But waiting ...the older I get is more painful. LOL

 

[J.Wolf]

I find the ebony board BN's to be surprisingly different from the maple. I like both, the ebony is a little more compressed and the maple I find to be a bit more open. Both sound great. Hard to go wrong with anything that has an F on the headstock I'm over the weight game. I played a 6.75lb 5 string the other day that blew my doors off.

 

[GRoberts]

I find the ebony board BN's to be surprisingly different from the maple. I like both, the ebony is a little more compressed and the maple I find to be a bit more open. Both sound great. Hard to go wrong with anything that has an F on the headstock I'm over the weight game. I played a 6.75lb 5 string the other day that blew my doors off.

I was really impressed with the Mac Ebony. It was still funky, sweet bright and clear. But was great for fingerstyle too.

You would get my attention more if you said you played a bass that was 10lbs (or more) and it was no sweat! ha! My aging back (at the end of a gig after performing and schlepping more gear than just bass and amp talks to me more than it used to. Sigh. Consquently making a 10lb bass purchase might be a 'wrong turn'? Dunno because sometimes weight distribution and how they hang on a strap can balance and alleviate matters to some degree.

 

[J.Wolf]

yeah I'm looking for that mac ebony board BN5 or BN6 from around the year 2000. Once I sell my Skjold.

Weight is an interesting thing. So much for me has to do with the overall balance/ergonomics than the actual weight. But my main 6 is 11 lbs, and I play 4 set gigs standing with it. It is not the most comfortable, but boy does it sound and play great. I'm willing to deal with it for what it is, but I sure wouldnt mind something in the 9 lb range

 

[basses55]

This must be the post you mentioned. Cool idea. Maybe ordering exactly what I want makes the most sense instead of choosing an available stock bass from a dealer. But waiting ...the older I get is more painful. LOL

I hear ya, but FBass is not too bad at about 4 months. Much better than many other builders time wise.
Mac is def more compressed than maple, especially in the highs , which can be a good thing if thats what you like. I know Marcel likes compression. The harder wood gives a its own kind of presence whereas the maple is more open and has a wider range IMO.
Mac also retains a kind of warmth as opposed to Gaboon Ebony, which is more pointed and very clear and compressed...which i also like for certain applications.... all depends on what you want/need.

BTW, everyone has their tastes when it comes to tone so IMO no matter what you read here....including from me....the best thing to do (if you can) is to compare with your own hands and ears what weight, or different woods, do or don't do for you. The next best thing IMO if you are spec ing out an FBass, is to talk to people around FBass who have experience with not just several... or a dozen...but *hundreds* of FBasses to get an idea of what these specs seem to do for this brand.

Cheers Mitch

 

[wellso74]

I like light weight basses- My BN6 is 9.3 and under 9 without the ramp. I love the sound and playability of these basses. the sound is just "right" - can't go wrong with them. If I order another one in the future- I will request that they build it as light as they can. I think 9Lbs is a reasonable weight. 9.8 is pushing it. IMHO

 

[zortation]

I hear ya, but FBass is not too bad at about 4 months. Much better than many other builders time wise.
Mac is def more compressed than maple, especially in the highs , which can be a good thing if thats what you like. I know Marcel likes compression. The harder wood gives a its own kind of presence whereas the maple is more open and has a wider range IMO.
Mac also retains a kind of warmth as opposed to Gaboon Ebony, which is more pointed and very clear and compressed...which i also like for certain applications.... all depends on what you want/need.

BTW, everyone has their tastes when it comes to tone so IMO no matter what you read here....including from me....the best thing to do (if you can) is to compare with your own hands and ears what weight, or different woods, do or don't do for you. The next best thing IMO if you are spec ing out an FBass, is to talk to people around FBass who have experience with not just several... or a dozen...but *hundreds* of FBasses to get an idea of what these specs seem to do for this brand.

Cheers Mitch

+1

All you have to do is describe to George EXACTLY what you're after and he'll nail it... every time.

 

[GRoberts]

+1

All you have to do is describe to George EXACTLY what you're after and he'll nail it... every time.

I sent a very detailed email to George and Marcel. Work obligations prohibited enough time to call.

 

[basses55]

Pm me also anytime if you need anything. Cheers.

 

[Dave Hill]

I sent a very detailed email to George and Marcel. Work obligations prohibited enough time to call.

You gonna pull the trigger?!
Wonder where your old quilt top is? That was a stunner!

 

[katonart]

It sure was good lookin though....

View attachment 1180518

I'm a sucker for orange things And F basses

That is an outrageously beautiful bass! Wow!

 

[wthompson007]

Hey gang.
I'm only a couple weeks until my first build is complete. I have a chance to pick up one of the old FBass cabs. It's a 2×10. I was just hoping anyone with experience with these cabs can give me some input on how they sound.
Also what configuration you think works best with VFs and BNs. 2×10, 4x10, 2×12 or whatever. Thanks

 

[J.Wolf]

That is an outrageously beautiful bass! Wow!

I'm such a sucker for orange. I was basically defenseless when this popped up

I was just surprised how different it felt and sounded from the BN's I was used to, that were a few years older. Hence my search for a pre 2002 BN.