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NBD - FBB

BassJuju

BassJuju

Jul 9, 2016
2,860
7,985
Texas
#1
So, apparently I don't have the willpower to stand in the presence of a wonderfully made instrument. Especially, if it sounds as good as this one. I had not heard of them before, but I have heard that @FBB Custom frequents the forums and I am glad to learn that.

I went in to the local Music Go Round because a friend had sent me a photo of a Paul Beard Resonator that they had there. He knew I wanted to try one and teased me with it last Friday. I liked that one fine, but it didn't really call to me. It sounded really nice and I could see me with one in the future, but that isn't why I am here. When I was handing it back to the salesman, I saw this one and I knew I had just broke weak. Then I played it. It was all over after that.

I have been reading a bit more on the FBB web site and found my basses spec's. I would still like to learn more about the brand and get feedback from anyone else that has one. It is a beast, but I am looking forward to learning her nuances.

Specs:
model: 6 string fretted CS ESC
body: blackline spalted maple over swamp ash
neck: 5 piece wenge/jatoba neck-thru
fingerboard: 35" scale macassar ebony 18mm spacing
pickups: Bartolini M5
electronics: Bartolini NTMB
hardware: ABM bridge, Gotoh tuners

And photos of course

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#9
Enjoy your FBB! I owned #1095-04 for years. I originally bought it used because I knew it was something special... this from someone that is a very conservative spender and generally does not play fretless... it was light weight and had tone that can be described as similar to Entwistle's "spider" bass. I would occasionally take it out and noodle around with it, but eventually sold it because I did not gig with it.

FBB mastermind Matt Schmill is a pleasure to work with, and knows his stuff. He builds high-end boutique basses at a fraction of the cost of others that are more well known. I have never read a negative review about these basses, except maybe a couple comments on body shape. Consider yourself fortunate to have stumbled upon this quality brand bass.

One other TB member that comes to mind, "Pointbass" I believe, is a regular FBB player as well.
 
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#10
baileyboy said:
Enjoy your FBB! I owned #1095-04 for years. I originally bought it used because I knew it was something special... this from someone that is a very conservative spender and generally does not play fretless... it was light weight and had tone that can be described as similar to Entwistle's "spider" bass. I would occasionally take it out and noodle around with it, but eventually sold it because I did not gig with it.

FBB mastermind Matt Schmill is a pleasure to work with, and knows his stuff. He builds high-end boutique basses at a fraction of the cost of others that are more well known. I have never read a negative review about these basses, except maybe a couple comments on body shape. Consider yourself fortunate to have stumbled upon this quality brand bass.
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I appreciate the kind words and I agree totally. It isn't what I went in the store to see, but knew it was something special and couldn't put it down. I wold love to add another some day, but for now I feel lucky to have found this one.
 
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#12
saabfender said:
Looks tremendous yet not my cup of tea at all. Will be a great instrument. I’m very impressed by guys who can get their arms around something so different from what I like.

Yeah, looks killer.
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Yeah, I get that. My buddy that met me there, couldn't stand it all. He was like it sounds awesome but it looks ugly as... well you know. He would have bought a Fender shaped object of most any make before this one. Probably in sunburst with a tort shell. I am looking a sunburst with a tort shell on a Fender shape hanging next to me, so I like those too.

I do like unique things and looks are certainly important to me, but tone is king. This one has a unique tone to my ears and the wood and shape made me smile too.

If we all liked the same things, it would be a boring world.
 
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#19
I bought my first FBB in 2004, #020, a lined fretless 6 string. 14+ years later it is still my #1 player and works more than all the rest of them, combined. I also own #146, an unlined fretless 7 and #043, a fretted 5 string. I had #112 custom built for me, a fretted 7 string single cut, which I never should have sold and have an open offer for re-purchase to the current owner (the last pick is #112). I also owned #030 for a short time, but the body was very small and I’m very big (6’5” 240 pounds) so, while it sounded and played great, it just didn’t suit me.

These basses have been, collectively, on hundreds and hundreds of professional gigs and recordings, all with nothing but positive comments and reviews from fellow musicians, artists, producers and listeners. I believe that most “boutique” basses are well worth the cost, particularly when you see what a new MIA Fender, or Music Man, or Warwick, or Rickenbacker, etc costs now. In FBB’s case, whatever kind of bass mojo Matt injects into these things makes them even more extraordinary.

I’m very, very biased, of course, but the many years and many gigs don’t lie ... these are all great basses ...

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#20
Ed Goode said:
I bought my first FBB in 2004, #020, a lined fretless 6 string. 14+ years later it is still my #1 player and works more than all the rest of them, combined. I also own #146, an unlined fretless 7 and #043, a fretted 5 string. I had #112 custom built for me, a fretted 7 string single cut, which I never should have sold and have an open offer for re-purchase to the current owner (the last pick is #112). I also owned #030 for a short time, but the body was very small and I’m very big (6’5” 240 pounds) so, while it sounded and played great, it just didn’t suit me.

These basses have been, collectively, on hundreds and hundreds of professional gigs and recordings, all with nothing but positive comments and reviews from fellow musicians, artists, producers and listeners. I believe that most “boutique” basses are well worth the cost, particularly when you see what a new MIA Fender, or Music Man, or Warwick, or Rickenbacker, etc costs now. In FBB’s case, whatever kind of bass mojo Matt injects into these things makes them even more extraordinary.

I’m very, very biased, of course, but the many years and many gigs don’t lie ... these are all great basses ...

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All beautiful to look at and I bet they sound even better. I especially like the unlined fretless, but the SC is special too. I’ve played a few of the basses you list and my FBB is superior to all of the productions; hands down. Hopefully I get to add another one day.
 

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