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F Bass BN5 review!

Hi Guys!
I thought last time, that I hadn’t done as good pics for my F Bass BN5 as I did for my JP Basses, as well as a real “realistic” review. So here they are….

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You have above some samples, here are all the pics I did!
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/554804325eMwKaa

Specs:
-One Piece Ash Body
-3 piece maple Flamed maple neck
-Birdseye Maple Fingerboard
-Burl Maple Top
-Black line veneer
-Matching Headstock
-Matching Heel
-Maple leaf Inlay for serial Number
-3 Band preamp
-Single/Humbucking Mod

Let’s talk about the bass now:
Luthiery:
I ever said it, F Bass is to me one of the best finished bass. Nothing to say compared to all the others High End builders. It’s true that some don’t like the lacquer finish, some prefer satin, but as I’m very cautious with the bass, it has no ding and has been played. About ergonomy, When I had it, I switched from my Fender Jazz MM to it, so from 4 to 5 with no problems, no troubles, it feels so familiar at first! It’s Crazy!!
(As I did easily from 5 to 7!) I’m as I said before somebody who’s not taking care about string spacing, but more about feel with the bass when I play. But anyway, I have to admit the 19mm spacing thanks to the Hipshot bridge is really comfortable.
The woods used for that bass are also crazy, it sounds amazing! And the photos are not doing justice to them.
Concerning different tunings and settings, the last time I set it was in December 2005, still haven’t touched it yet! (I’m living into French Alps, so temperature is changing overday!!) But I perhaps should start thinking changing strings which are 10 months old now! Lol :eek:

Playability:
The playability is second to none for that bass, very easy to play, and you feel comfortable as soon as you have it in your hands. Some say it sounds like a Jazz Bass, But I’ll add “Which a terrific B!!”. Neck’s shape is a “narrow C shape”, thin but not too much, comfortable! It is an oiled one, which can perturbate some people who just left lacquered necks like Fenders. Concerning playing, whereas you’re playing on the neck like a contra, on the neck pickup or on the bridge pickup, it always feel good, and sounds good too. The pickups are so good, that when you keep the same settings, while moving the position of your right hand, it change the sounds, you can really get different sounds.

Sound:
For that particular point, it is really what I expected about it, what I was thinking about the “F” sound. It has a very low register, full of bass, with very good mids (due to wood comb and preamp IMO!) and a good load of trebles. It is a very intuitive electronic, but you quickly figure out that the tone control (which works while in passive and active mode!), just by changing the setting with it, you’re changing radically the sound you get!
What I love particularly with the F preamp, is the “natural” rendering of that preamp, it sounds woody, clear, not robotic. That’s one of the thing I love about F bass. I’m unpatient to try a Fretless F bass….It is so performant, that even with 10 months old strings, you’re getting the result you’re expecting. Some say it is a “Jazz Bass under steroids”, I’ll say yes, but I’ll also say that it is able to do a lot more, from Jazz to Metal music. Also it has a rounder, growlier tone (IMO!) and it is able to do others sounds a Jazz Bass cannot, but that’s only my point of view…

So as a conclusion, I have it for more than a Year and a Half, still not regretting my €s, it brings me all what I was expecting from a F Bass.
I hope you’ll appreciate my pictures, my review, and I’ll add to that post the soundclips I should do as soon as I buy the gear to do so.
Say you later for the review of the 6 fretless I’ll get next Saturday! :p

Vince
 
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Reactions: Mr.Ace
Very nice, Vince. Your BN5 looks really incredible and I can totally vouche for your review on the sound and playability of F bass. Mine is not a "fancy" looking as yours but I have to agree that it is so versitile and just makes me want to play it again every time I have to put it away!

Your pics are great. You obviously have a good nack for photography too!

Thanks for another glowing review of an F bass BN5.

-Al

:bassist:
 
You've made me a believer, Vince. I was never big on the F Bass aesthetic and the really over-the-top burst finishes, but that burl maple top really is one of the nicest I've ever seen.

The construction looks flawless as well. The matching headstock is such a nice touch.

Congrats on that bass!
 
wow, nice pics, that bass is buck nasty hot looking!!

I too have a "not as fancy" F, but your description of sound and playability are spot on for me. I love the preamp as well, and the natural sound is great, very articulate and blends well with all kinds of music.

I have to ask Marcus though, what constitutes an "over the top" sunburst? To me, its either burst or it aint.

Sweet looking F Vince, thats a keeper, and the old pics didn't do it justice compared to the new ones!!!!
 
Vince..very nice pics of a great bass...
I remember trying that one and it sticks out in my memory..special F bass ,my friend.

DONT SELL IT!

Nice review too.......

cheers,
Mitch
 
Earwigger said:
I bet it was some huge number. Those F basses are second only to Alembic in price. But with a gorgeous top like that.. I can see the cash being shelled out.

Thanks all for the comments, it's a terrific bass!!

Mitch, I won't sell it!

Mark you have a PM!

F Bass is not second behind alembic for prices. MTD and Fodera are more expensive for example....
But it was around 3 Grand of €s!
I'll PM price to those interested, considering it have 8 options, it is cheap...

Thanks for your interest,
Vince
 
they're really not second to alembics in terms of price. You can get new ash BN5 for about 2600 I think (give or take).

The one thing that is expensive is options and upgrades. Last time I checked, George was charging between 800-1000 for block inlays,and ceruse finish on ash is 500, maple tops are 500.

When you start adding little things like a one piece back, matching neck block, black hardware, stuff like that adds alot pretty quick. Good thing the standard bn5 sounds just as good!

But that fancy stuff is soooo nice!!
 
Hey Vince:
Very nice bass indeed. When I was thinking about ordering mine I almost went Burl maple top, but i decided to go buckeye and I don't regreat !
It's so easy to play, and only have to get used to play it without the dots on the fretboard.....The "B" sounds great, though I also have a Lakland Skyline and I would say that B string is damn huge....I heard that the B string is not as powerful in the Fbass in order to have more equilibrium in terms of sound and power compared to the other strings.
Even though I'm not a slap guy I have to say that slapping on a Fbass sounds so good that it makes wish I were Larry Graham... cheers
Here's some pics of mine::bassist:
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Here's my over-the-top burst F:
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;)

Not a bad deal at a few bucks over the price of a Metro. There's a lot of hand work in these things. A bargain IMO.
 
Wow.....great photos Vince! I think you deserve to have such a great bass because you really appreciate what you have!

I've had a nice (but stock) BN4 for about 5 years. Getting that bass has helped curb my GAS because it really does do everything I ever wanted a bass to do. Of course, I did need a couple of fretless basses, and few hollowbodies, and an acoustic etc....ha..... but as far as getting the "sound"...... my F bass does that in spades.

I would, however, love to get a 5 string fretless F bass.......my local dealer has one..... and it plays so easily..... man, that B string plays, feels, and sounds just like the other strings. Fantastic!

Thanks again for the great shots of your bass Vince, and the detailed review. Enjoy!