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fretless decision: Ken Smith BSR5TN or FBass AC5

wich fretless to buy?

  • smith bsr5tn

    Votes: 20 29.4%

  • fbass ac5

    Votes: 48 70.6%
  • Total voters
    68
#22
Here is the Man himself, Alain Caron talking about the AC6 Signature.

YouTube - FBassOfficial's Channel

You can really hear the quality of the instrument in this video. I know its in "His Hands" but he not playing anything difficult. He goes through the Tone of the Mag Pup and then talks about the Piezo.

Its a great instrument. Best sounding and playing fretless I have come accross. The F Bass Preamp is very, very musical and transparent. One of the best Pre's on the Market..hands down. 0 noise. Although I know the Smith pre is basically noise free too.
 
#27
#28
I have owned an Ac-6 for almost 3 years now. It is actually my main gigging bass. The bass is amazing! I would take it hands down over anything else. It is such a sensitive and expressive instrument. I don't touch my controls after I make my initial settings. There are so many different tones available depending on how and where you pluck the strings. With that said, here are a few things to keep in mind.
When I first got it I almost felt that I got in a little over my head. The strings tend to respond more like an upright would and the electronics translate everything you do to the amp. I prefer this, but this is not a forgiving bass. This bass will point out every flaw in your technique. I personally think that is a good thing because it makes me practice.
The other little pet peeve I had is that I don't like having every fret above the 12th marked with a dot. I would get totally lost up there. What I did was color them over with a sharpie and then seal that with a little drop of clear nail polish. Without the sharpie, the dot would show again after a gig or two.
As far as string go I have only tried two different sizes of LaBella's. You need to use the taper core strings that the bass is designed for or your action will be all wrong. I have had the same set of strings on this bass for more than two years and I can still play harmonics at between the second and third frets. I have never seen another bass that can do that with strings that are that old. I am also a dedicated new/bright string buy (Dean Markley Blue Steel) but this thing sounds so good I can't find a reason to change anything.
If a bass doesn't feel like the perfect fit, then you have two choices. Either you can pass it over or play it. If you play it enough, it will become the perfect fit. That is what happened to me with this bass. When I have tried to explain this bass to other people I put in terms of cars. This is not a Ferrari, this is a Rolls Royce. And when it comes time to steer it into the corner you better be prepared or it will kick your ass.
 
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#29
i am starting to make up my mind here...

Please tell me more about your experiences.. What have you liked the most in both basses and what didn t you like at all?

If you are lucky enough to own both, what are the main differences between them?

Regards
 
#35
Cmaranhao, I know you're only looking at these two particular basses but I can't help but throw another in the mix. Take a look at Tom Clement's basses. You could have one of his fully custom basses completed and shipped to you for about 1000 euros less than even the AC5. There are plenty of vids on youtube but here's me playing mine (which was recently sold to fund a custom). The fretless parts are at 1:46, 2:57, and 4:19.

YouTube - Fender American Deluxe Jazz FMT vs. Tom Clement Fretless Bass Comparison
 
#36
Marcus Miller plays a Ken Smith fretless. That being said, I'd go for the F-bass. I currently have a Hamer 2Tek Cruise Bass Fretless that I bought used on TB from Tdizzle. I've had the fingerboard planed and epoxied, and it rules. I just ordered some Q-Parts knobs and FretFX LEDs for it! SWEET! If I ever invest $$$ in a high end fretless, it will likely be an AC5, but the Hamer is killing so that seems highly unlikely.
 
#39
my decision is set. I will go against the majority and buy the smith. Slapinfunk made that video and that sound is what i am looking for.. I will not buy the fbass even if it is a fantastic bass. My initial idea was a smith so i will use the force, haha.



Thanks to all who replied but for me there are no doubts no more. Slapinfunk, i see i was not the only one to appreciatte your videos, if you can post some more with that awesome fretless.

Regarding fretlessboy youtube videos, they are awesome as well. Cheers
 

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