No longer available FBB #043 5 String Fretted

FBB #043 UPDATED 6/16 TO FOR SALE ONLY, NO TRADES



This magnificent bass is FBB Bass Works #043, a fretted 5 string built as a Bass5 body prototype around 2001 or so by Matt Schmill. The bass has had several owners over these years (including me twice, I bought it used somewhere around ‘06, sold it, and then re-purchased it ‘17), but it’s in great condition for a heavily gigged bass. A few gig kisses here and there, but nothing major at all (see pics for details).

The first time I owned it the bass had a Bart pre-amp, but now it has an Aguilar OBP-1. Matt tells me he remembers the bass being passive originally and is not sure when (or who) added the pre-amp. Whoever put the Aguilar pre in left the wiring pretty messy, not what you would expect from something that Matt built. I was going to clean it up, but it’s effective so I’ve just left it alone.

Specs:

Body is lacewood/curly maple wave over butternut
7 piece maple/beech/jabota neck-thru
Bartolini J9 pickups with Aguilar OBP-1 pre-amp
Vol/Bal/Tone/Tone
35” scale
18mm spacing
Hipshot bridge
Gotoh tuners
Dunlop straplocks (I’ll include the males for your strap)

I have been an extremely biased FBB player for the past twenty years, with FBB ERBs always my main electric bass choice. My main gigging bass is FBB #020, a fretless 6 string and my main studio/writing bass is FBB #146, a fretless 7 string. I have owned several other FBBs over the years, including #030 (fretted 5) and #1112 (fretted 7). Every one of these instruments are pro-grade, top of the line basses that have served me very well in every situation.

Most FBBs I’ve owned are fairly “Smith-sounding”, more of a rounded, clean tone as compared to a hard bite. But this 5 has a real presence, it’s currently strung with pretty bright rounds with lots of life on them (maybe D’Addarios ??), and with the OBP-1 it’s definitely got the capability of being in-your-face. I only have 1 studio track recorded with it, track is on my web site linked here ... “Put It Where You Want It”, about 4 tracks down. View attachment 3858526 View attachment 3858531 The action is low and the neck is beautifully set. The bass is a slappers dream, if that’s your thing.

The only reason I’m selling this bass is to replace funds I used to purchase an acoustic bass that I can drag around with me when we travel (assuming the ‘Rona restrictions ease up eventually). I have re-priced this at a really affordable level to give someone the chance to own something like this for low coin, and truthfully, I don’t really need the money.

Shipping included, PayPal is no problem.

If you need any more information, reach out ...

 

Thanks! Glad the amp worked out ... and yes, this is a great bass!

 

Thanks, and yes, they’ll be very happy ... it’s a really nice instrument. I rescued it this last time even though I was pretty sure I’d rarely, if ever, use it. I’m almost entirely fretless and 6 or 7 strings when playing electric.