Help! The possibility to get BFR SR5. Need your suggestions!

[Gravesend Black]

Hi guys!
Just checked the guy who sells used basses in my area. He will ship an SR5HH BFR soon. It is almost impossible to get BFR model here so I'm rly interested.
But unfortunately I do not have spare funds atm to buy it in addition to my lovely ceramic SR5H.

Can you tell me some details about BFR so I can consider is it worth to trade my own bass? I'm confused cuz I like my axe very very much but BFR is tempting me despite it is in natural finish that I do not really like.

Any info or suggestions will be appreciated! =)

 

[strummer]

What kind of BFR is it? If it's an all rosewood neck, I say go for it, my BFR Bongo is by far the best Bongo I've ever played.

 

[Gravesend Black]

It is all rosewood neck.

 

[Gravesend Black]

He said that he will think about my SR5 + some cash for trade. But my wife stated that she won't let me trade our Musicman.
But she offered me to delay her new PC purchase in try to get that rosewood baby. =)

 

[Gravesend Black]

BTW is that some kind of limited edition or EBMM produce BFR from time to time. And could it be ceramic or alnico only?

 

[toomanyslurpees]

Can't blame you for being tempted on an all rosewood neck, that's certianly a cool thing....

 

[nurnay]

There is (or at least was) a rosewood hanging in a local shop here. I've been tempted to go play it, but my wallet won't allow it.

 

[KevinM]

BTW is that some kind of limited edition or EBMM produce BFR from time to time. And could it be ceramic or alnico only?

Ball Family Reserve comes in limited runs but I don't know when they started, how often they've been made, or if there are any future runs planned (Not much help am I).
You would also have to decide between a single H or a double H.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Yeah. But in my latitudes any EBMM bass is a treasure. So when this BFR emerged it was like a god came down from heaven)
If I let it go I might not get another chance to have something like that for years. So I decided to close my eyes about finish and HH. BTW isn't HH's bridge pu placing the same as H's pu?
Sure I will see and even try it before I make the final decision. But now I'm really into that bass right now.

 

[laneline]

Yes the pickup is in the same position, only the Bongo H is in it's own spot. Since MM's are hard to come by where you live
the BFR makes much more sense as it was a very limited run. You have an H so you'll have a lot more tonal variation having both. I had one once, the neck is incredible. When you go to check it out I would recommend seeing if you can bring your own amp if the store doesn't have something similar so you can really know if it works for you. Good luck and hope you keep us in the loop. All the best, Rick

 

[Gravesend Black]

So guys, can someone tell me in what years this all rosewood neck BFR run was made? And how huge it was? Was it ceramics or alnico in case of Stingrays?

Maybe someone can link me some videos wish this kind of SR? Searched youtube but found only few crappy videos.

And how is the rosewood neck affects the sound compared to maple?

 

[laneline]

I got mine in April of '09, I don't think any of their special runs are more than 250, maybe if you Email Customer service you could get an estimate. The Rosewood neck is warmer than a maple neck with a rosewood board and of course warmer still than an all maple neck. I've had a Bongo 5HH, an SR5 HH and a Sterling 5HS from this run and and while all of them are a little warmer flat by no means would I consider any of them a "dark" sounding bass, the three band EQ still gives you plenty of tonal sweep. The pickups are Alnico on the SR5.

 

[Gravesend Black]

So this SR5HH will be parallel all the way, right? If so - it is great.

 

[laneline]

Yes, regular SR parallel wiring in every position. The package was just for the rosewood neck.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Thx a lot. Now I'm waiting for it's arrival for 2-3 weeks to see some picks and if we will deal with the owner I'll go to try it.

 

[Gravesend Black]

One more Q. How much was the price when this run went to the market?

 

[laneline]

I'm pretty sure the list price for a Natural with a black or white guard would be $2750 in the U.S. and $50 more a Tort or Pearl etc. guard.
I would think the list price would be higher in other Countries.

 

[Gravesend Black]

I'm pretty sure the list price for a Natural with a black or white guard would be $2750 in the U.S. and $50 more a Tort or Pearl etc. guard.
I would think the list price would be higher in other Countries.

For some reasons I do not know I thought that BFR was for USA market only. No? Thx for the price info. Can't wait to see that bass.

 

[tbonesullivan]

if you don't like the natural finish, why even bother? You've got a bass now that plays and looks great, and you really seem to like it. The grass is always greener, but I think you'd be better off avoiding the "wow" factor and sticking with what works. Sure I'd love to get a nice BFR or Limited run with some fancy pants options, but I just listened to a demo recording we did last week, and the sound I'm getting out of my SR5 HS is freakin awesome. So, why risk messing with what you like?

That, is what you have to really consider.

 

[Gravesend Black]

if you don't like the natural finish, why even bother? You've got a bass now that plays and looks great, and you really seem to like it. The grass is always greener, but I think you'd be better off avoiding the "wow" factor and sticking with what works. Sure I'd love to get a nice BFR or Limited run with some fancy pants options, but I just listened to a demo recording we did last week, and the sound I'm getting out of my SR5 HS is freakin awesome. So, why risk messing with what you like?

That, is what you have to really consider.

Now I'm interested in warmer sound. Also I always wanted all rosewood neck since I saw it. I did not consider yet to trade it or to buy it. First of all I need to see and to hear that bass. I did not trade my SR5 yet. But it could be an option.