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Show us your F-Bass

#56
Bass Viking said:
Very nice Roscoe. But they look similar. Are they?
Click to expand...

Hey Viking. Well, yes they are similar with small variations. I wanted a back-up bass for my Quilt Maple, and I found a drop dead gorgeous tobacco Burst that was all Ash Bodied. The difference is: My Quilt Maple jas a birdseye Maple Fingerboard versus standard Maple on the Tobacco. Also, the Quilt Maple top BN5 has a Master Volume/Blend control and the Tobacco BN5 has Dual Volumes (one for each pickup)

I recently answered the debate of which is better and more versatile; Master Vol/Blend Versus the two Volume controls? Master Vol/Blend is faster and easier to use. But I am now convinced that I can get more variations of tone by dialing in the amount of bridge and neck pickups. Crazy as it may seem, I think the all Ash Tobacco Burst BN5 has the edge in tone. Go figure.
 
#57
the edge in tone could come from the vol/ vol setup-
and i can see that there may be more balancevariations by dialing in different amounts of each pup- i surrendered to the practicality of a master vol -
HOWEVER, in my opinion, if i were to gamble... i'd say the edge comes from having a 100% Ash body vs one with a maple ( or other) top-
i definitely have noticed the edge on the 100% ash and topless :eek: models... ;)
having said that, i also succumbed to the maccassar ebony top for its beauty - and the tone will still kill...
I go-ron-teeeeeee!
 
#59
I find it hard to believe that a thin veneer of a top would make regular noticeable differences in tone. in terms of the 100% ash ones always being superior. It's not like having a maple top would be inferior would it? Maple is a tonewood, as is ebony, walnut etc etc. In fact I like quite a few more tonewoods than ash so who knows which one I would prefer for example.

Basically I'm just wondering if the variations in tone can always be attributed to the different tops? Not all ash is created equal for example...

Either way F's are great basses. If only I could deal with the finish. :crying:
 
#60
1. actually , F basses , when you think about it, are a bargain. They sell for less than many boutique basses and when you consider all the goodies, like matching pup covers and control cavity plates, etc... you realize that you are getting a lot or craftsmanship for the $ -
but the bottom line is the TONE and playability. I have yet to paly a bass that had tone i liked BETTER... as much but different? maybe... but not BETTER.. at any price.... ANY price.

2. Jared, the difference is very subtle, but i think i hear it. I have commented to myself about it when i pick a 100% ash F bass as opposed to one with a top-
yes, Maple is a tonewood, and i have played all maple basses.. not my thing. I know you are not a big Ash guy. That's one of the beautiful things about everyone being different. I seriously doubt i will ever own a fretted bass that is not Ash again--that is my voice. Also , the thinner the top, the less the difference, This is why George F has gone with ultra thin tops, so there is less interruption of HIS formula, which is obviously Ash and Maple ( neck ) - if he did not believe the top had an effect, i suspect he might not go thru the trouble since the tops are carved and it is much easier to carve a thick top than a thin one, because if you carve too far?
you expose the ash body.
 

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