I agree about the BN. I could see owning one. The one I played at Bass Central was impressive. It seems that builders have to offer some sort of Jazz Bass due to customer demand.
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F Bass Reality Check
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
If you ever get a chance to try the Deluxe you definitely should. I was on the fence about the cost of the upgrade, and the sound differences. For me, it worked out and I love the pickup flexibility. I went back and forth on several demos talking myself into and out off the BN Standard sound. I was able to play a fretted BN Standard (I already had the fretless) and I liked it but I wasn't "bonding" with it. I decided to go big with the Deluxe and I'm glad I did. Could I have gotten a similar and super nice bass for less? Probably. Am I happy with my choice? Absolutely.
I would definitely try one given the chance. Any F Bass for that matter.If you ever get a chance to try the Deluxe you definitely should. I was on the fence about the cost of the upgrade, and the sound differences. For me, it worked out and I love the pickup flexibility. I went back and forth on several demos talking myself into and out off the BN Standard sound. I was able to play a fretted BN Standard (I already had the fretless) and I liked it but I wasn't "bonding" with it. I decided to go big with the Deluxe and I'm glad I did. Could I have gotten a similar and super nice bass for less? Probably. Am I happy with my choice? Absolutely.
Then there's that Turquoise Ceruse FN5 ebony board fretless from about 15 years back that still haunts my dreams... ...I went googling, couldn't find a picture of it again, but man... 
I know it could be considered blasphemy, but I’d call those twists improvements. Lol
Kudos to FBass for producing a bass that has a “familiar” tone, but doesn’t look exactly like a Fender. And being successful at it. Not an easy task.
Agreed. My personal preference would be for the VF or BN over most other FSO options in a “price is not a factor” choice. They’ve definitely found a solid place in the industry where they can command the premium pricing, and are recognizable without having extreme/exaggerated looks (I’m looking at you Ritter
). I can also see how some would dismiss the looks/feel/price etc as not their thing or not worth the price, but that’s true of “basses” in general.
I have a pic of a ceruse blonde BN5 saved that I think is one of the prettiest basses I've ever seen. However, the prices and some of the specs put me off. I'd like to try one though.
I'll play the video in post #1 when I get home and can listen to it on my speakers, not my phone.
I'll play the video in post #1 when I get home and can listen to it on my speakers, not my phone.
Got the job finished really fast and have listened. Sounds very nice, but not $8k+ nice. Not knocking anything as I'm sure it's beautifully made, and I've owned Alembics so not averse to exxy customs.
Thanks to Doc for posting and Lobster for the review. @LowEndLobster please grow the beard back.
Not to detract from the Lobster, but for reference, this YT vid of the BN5 helped me a ton. I definitely listed to it more times than I can count. I can say that my results weren't surprising based on what I heard here.
The guys over at Music Force in Korea put up quite a few F Bass demos for various models. Nice playing and production.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Donovan over at FretSpot also posts several F Bass videos related to inventory he has/had in stock.
The guys over at Music Force in Korea put up quite a few F Bass demos for various models. Nice playing and production.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Donovan over at FretSpot also posts several F Bass videos related to inventory he has/had in stock.
Like most of you, I'd dig an F bass (I'd also dig a dayjob with $47 per hour).
I know this is superficial, but I'm not crazy about the aesthetic with the pickups blending in with the top of the bass...
It's all blather because I can't afford one!
I know this is superficial, but I'm not crazy about the aesthetic with the pickups blending in with the top of the bass...
It's all blather because I can't afford one!
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Same experience with me at NAMM years back, along with, yes, Sadowsky. Meh.
But with Warrior, Mike Lull, and MTD USA...holy wow.
I have a Warrior that is an all time keeper. I've played all versions of Sadowsky and the Chinese are great for under $1k. As for metro vs NYC, I can totally justify the metros (I have one I really like right now actually), but that leaves me wondering why I'd get an NYC... I couldn't appreciate the difference.
Different strokes for different folks.
It’s funny how testing the basses can really be an eye opener. I went to a shop to check a BN5 Standard and I didn’t click with it (it was good but not great). I started to second guess my want for the BN5. The fretless version I owned made me think the fretted would fit like a glove. Maybe I had an off day, or the strings were oxidizing, or who knows what. I was semi seriously considering hopping on a plane to test the BN5 I did buy. I figured a weekend escape and test drive wouldn’t be a bad weekend.
I know guitarists used to talk about how some Les Pauls had mojo and some didn’t. When I bought my Ric 4003 I played several new and used models from vintage to modern and found quite the variety from like to hate (feel and sound).
My hunch is that every manufacturing process is subject to having variety in the final quality, and I’d like to believe that as the price of an instrument goes up the quality control reduces that variety. You also can’t please all of the people all of the time.
…I’m just glad I’m not in the market for a double bass
I know guitarists used to talk about how some Les Pauls had mojo and some didn’t. When I bought my Ric 4003 I played several new and used models from vintage to modern and found quite the variety from like to hate (feel and sound).
My hunch is that every manufacturing process is subject to having variety in the final quality, and I’d like to believe that as the price of an instrument goes up the quality control reduces that variety. You also can’t please all of the people all of the time.
…I’m just glad I’m not in the market for a double bass
This is the clip that pushed me over the edge to buying a used BN6 that was local to me a few years ago.
I’m having it re-fretted at the moment because the former owner might have been a sweat hog who didn’t ever wipe down the fretboard and all the gunk was pushing some frets out, that wouldn’t even allow them to be re-seated without completely ripping out the frets and cleaning out the slots… Wipe down your expensive instruments!
Also, just a note on how awesome the F Bass shop is. A couple of years ago I wanted some strings and they’re hard to get for me here in Aus. F Bass was updating their site and adding 3 sets of strings showed free shipping to me in Australia from Canada.
This couldn’t be right so I emailed Marcel. He said yep; that’s totally a mistake but since our site showed you that, we’ll honour that and ship them out free. I was also after two sets of black neck screws and bushings because my BN6 and AC6 with black hardware were made before they had the black hardware on the rear. He included them for nothing for no reason other than he wanted me to update my basses with the current stuff.
Marcel F & Mike Tobias have the best customer service I’ve experienced with any product, not just bass gear.
Can’t wait to get the BN6 back, the flamed/spalted maple top in the background here:
I’m having it re-fretted at the moment because the former owner might have been a sweat hog who didn’t ever wipe down the fretboard and all the gunk was pushing some frets out, that wouldn’t even allow them to be re-seated without completely ripping out the frets and cleaning out the slots… Wipe down your expensive instruments!
Also, just a note on how awesome the F Bass shop is. A couple of years ago I wanted some strings and they’re hard to get for me here in Aus. F Bass was updating their site and adding 3 sets of strings showed free shipping to me in Australia from Canada.
This couldn’t be right so I emailed Marcel. He said yep; that’s totally a mistake but since our site showed you that, we’ll honour that and ship them out free. I was also after two sets of black neck screws and bushings because my BN6 and AC6 with black hardware were made before they had the black hardware on the rear. He included them for nothing for no reason other than he wanted me to update my basses with the current stuff.
Marcel F & Mike Tobias have the best customer service I’ve experienced with any product, not just bass gear.
Can’t wait to get the BN6 back, the flamed/spalted maple top in the background here:
This is the clip that pushed me over the edge to buying a used BN6 that was local to me a few years ago.
I’m having it re-fretted at the moment because the former owner might have been a sweat hog who didn’t ever wipe down the fretboard and all the gunk was pushing some frets out, that wouldn’t even allow them to be re-seated without completely ripping out the frets and cleaning out the slots… Wipe down your expensive instruments!
Also, just a note on how awesome the F Bass shop is. A couple of years ago I wanted some strings and they’re hard to get for me here in Aus. F Bass was updating their site and adding 3 sets of strings showed free shipping to me in Australia from Canada.
This couldn’t be right so I emailed Marcel. He said yep; that’s totally a mistake but since our site showed you that, we’ll honour that and ship them out free. I was also after two sets of black neck screws and bushings because my BN6 and AC6 with black hardware were made before they had the black hardware on the rear. He included them for nothing for no reason other than he wanted me to update my basses with the current stuff.
Marcel F & Mike Tobias have the best customer service I’ve experienced with any product, not just bass gear.
Can’t wait to get the BN6 back, the flamed/spalted maple top in the background here:
View attachment 5140804
Marcel is definitely fantastic at communication. And that aqua fade in the video is lovely.
I have an F bass, two Warriors, and three sadowskys
I have an F Bass, two Warriors, three Sadowskys along with a Fodera. The F bass is at the very top of my do-not-sell list! It is INCREDIBLE when the band fires up and how it sits in the mix. I can't explain how the mids sit are better than anything I've owned.
However, with that being said, I'm a huge Warrior and Sadowsky guy as well. Someone made the comment about MetroLine versus NYC. In my opinion, the German Metroline is the best bass remotely for the money. The necks are incredible and the tone is pristine.
I have an F Bass, two Warriors, three Sadowskys along with a Fodera. The F bass is at the very top of my do-not-sell list! It is INCREDIBLE when the band fires up and how it sits in the mix. I can't explain how the mids sit are better than anything I've owned.
However, with that being said, I'm a huge Warrior and Sadowsky guy as well. Someone made the comment about MetroLine versus NYC. In my opinion, the German Metroline is the best bass remotely for the money. The necks are incredible and the tone is pristine.
I just snagged this BN5 yesterday.
It is incredibly well made and gorgeous. It helps that I was able to get a great deal on the bass but I am still acclimating to the feel and sound. It may need some new strings and a new 9v, but so far so good.
It is incredibly well made and gorgeous. It helps that I was able to get a great deal on the bass but I am still acclimating to the feel and sound. It may need some new strings and a new 9v, but so far so good.
Here is my old black and white ceruse with the dymondwood board that I never should have let go.Then there's that Turquoise Ceruse FN5 ebony board fretless from about 15 years back that still haunts my dreams... ...I went googling, couldn't find a picture of it again, but man...
And my current BN5 (with friends)
