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Home of the Faber PaddleBass^TM
"Freedom. Sound. Attitude."





FAQ
 
Allready in the developement-phase a lot of questions were asked by a small group of bassplayers who were asked by me to provide feedback. Right after the introduction there were al lot of questions too. Here you can find the most frequently asked questions and their answers:

 
 - I don't understand. What an ugly weird bass!
 I respect your opinion and taste.

- Does it suffer from "neckdive"?
 No! The design is made so that the bass will keep it's initial position if you don't hold it.
 
- Why this shape of headstock?
It's how I want it! Pigheaded, stubborn, simplistic, functional.

 - What kind of neck does it have?
 It feels between a P and a J-neck. It has more wood than a Jazz and is less heavy than a Precision. Also, check the "reviews"-section.
 
 - What does the PaddleBass sound like?
 It sounds great! It definetely has a voice of it's own. There are several recordings in the "reviews"-section, more will follow.
 
 - What makes it different from, say, a Steinberger or a Hohner B2A?
 These are active basses and have a very differtent character. I have owned the Hohner version, it's made entirely out of mahogany, including the neck. It's a good bass for reggae, but personally I couldn't get very different sounds out of it.
Also, it has a strong neckdive despite the fact that it's headless. And there is no place for your thumb to rest other than the pickups!
The PaddleBass is a totally different sounding bass, you can play it in sitting position easily without that clumsy leg-rest and it is much more versatile in use.
 
 - Will there be a lefty version?
 Yes, if there is a demand for lefties I will build them.
 
 - Why a rosewood fretboard instead of maple?
 Right now it sounds very bright and punchy if you want. Maybe I will offer a maple version if there is a serious demand.

- Fretless?
Maybe later. I love the idea and I think it would really sound great too.
 
 - Will you offer it in different colours?
 Sure! Right now, besides red, a vintage-white one is being built with a dark tortoise electronics-cover. And a purple one. I can probably make it the color you want, that's an advantage of building to otrder. A matching headstock is possible, too.
 
 - Singlecoil pickups are noisy. Have you shielded the bass against hum?
 Yes! It's quieter than any other bass I have, also because I picked shielded pickups and there's as little wiring as possible in it. If switched to humbucking-mode it's really very quiet.
 
 - Why do you offer a buffer pre-amp as an option?
 Because it's quite handy if you use long cables. It makes your signal less vulnerable. A buffer is for instance used by Brian May,
 he also had problems with his signal using long cables. But because it's not really neccessary, it's just an option. Because it's possible.

 - Is this a light-weight bass?
 No. It's solid mahogany and has a firm neck, so it's not much lighter than an average bass. But because of its shape it handles much easier, so it seems lighter anyway.
 
 - Why a Fender-type bridge??
 Because it works just fine! Of course, any other bridge can be fit. It's a pity these things are so expensive. I want to keep this bass affordable so the standard-version has this simple bridge and it sounds great as it is.
 
 - Why is it so affordable? A regular factory-made Fender is more expensive!
 Because only the body is completely handmade in The Netherlands. The neck, the pickups and hardware are purchased elsewhere. These parts have been developed and improved for more than 50 years now, so it's possible to buy very good quality for a reasonable price.
Also check the "reviews"-section.
I just want to offer a good bass for a good price.
 
 - There are two strapholders on the bottom. What's their use?
 First use is to put your bass upright to a wall or your amp without a guitarstand. But of course it's also to attach your strap!
If you use the upper one, it hangs just like a "regular" bass. Most plectrum- and fingerstyle players will like this.
If you use the downward one, you'll find it gives a totally different feel! You really should try it.
It really invites you to start slapping and tapping, and also for fingerstyle it's great.