Fury Tornado 4-String
Bass Player Magazine April 1999
Reviewed by Bill Leigh
Miller Freeman Inc.
Dating back to 1962, Fury Guitars is Canada's oldest electric guitar maker. The company has developed some unique homegrown designs over the years including its own custom pickups, nuts, and bridges. Last year Fury updated the sole bass in the product line, the Anthem.
Now called the Tornado, the small-bodied, medium-scale bass takes advantage of many of Fury's design innovations. At first glance, though, the Tornado looks like a beginner bass - which seems incompatible with its $1,599 list price. Closer examination reveals a pro-quality instrument that might be right for players who prefer smaller basses. The Tornado's small body has an interesting but not too daring shape that rests comfortably against your body. Its light weight and even balance are well suited for longer gigs. Several staffers immediately commented on the pointy headstock: some found it unattractive, especially in contrast with the rounded Hipshot Ultralite tuners. Except for these tuners and the pickup switches, all major components are custom-designed and manufactured at Fury's Saskatchewan plant. Our tester featured a transparent finish that adds $100 to the list price.
With a narrow neck and 31 5/8"scale length, the Tornado is easy on the hands, especially for smaller-handed players. One large-mittened tester never felt comfortable on the instrument, though, and many commented that the neck is too narrow. In fact, almost everyone at some With a narrow neck and 31 5/8"scale length, the Tornado is easy on the hands, especially for smaller-handed players. One large-mittened tester never felt comfortable on the instrument, though, and many commented that the neck is too narrow. In fact, almost everyone at some point inadvertently bent the G string over the edge of the fingerboard. (Fury responds: "We have been manufacturing our bass necks to this exact specification since 1967, and we have not received a single complaint about the G string pulling off.") The neck-pickup position leaves little room for slappers, but the two large double-coil pickups allow lots of right-hand playing positions. Fury claims its one-piece acrylic "Uninut" offers increased mass for better open/closed string balance" as well as easier repair-shop maintenance. Fury also says an additional .015" fret slot depth mitigates the effect of drastic climate and humidity changes. At the neck joint the Tornado's body inexplicably comes a full 3/16" short of the outside of the neck, leaving room for only a narrow neck plate. This makes the joint less stable, and a good tug on our tester resulted in a bit of movement. (Fury responds: "The relieved body cutaway was purposely designed this way for easier high-register access and a roomier feel. All Fury instruments have this special feature. The screws' spacing is longer than most brands to compensate for the narrower spacing of the neck screws. The contact between the base of the neck and the body is longer than most, offering an equal or greater area of friction contact.")
The Tornado's solid, high-mass bridge certainly inspires confidence. Locking height- adjustment screws keep the coupling of the bridge saddles to the tailpiece constant, even if they make changes take a little longer. Strings pass through the body but rest against the back of the tailpiece, never touching wood. An additional custom-made metal plate covers the entry holes on the back of the instrument body.
Fury's passive, double-coil ZP pickups have a fairly hot output. The 3-position pickup selector offers nine flavors when combined with the coil switch, which toggles between single- coil, full humbucking, and modified humbucking modes. This innovation increases the tone- producing possibilities of pickups that already sound good - but it's probably too many options for most players. It also makes the absence of independent pickup volume controls- which are much more intuitive than dual switches - a bit frustrating (the Anthem had separate volume knobs). Still, its fun to experiment. Mostly we found solid rock tones with potent bass voice and a gritty top when we wanted it. Most players liked the full humbucking-mode sounds best, and with the bridge pickup soloed the Tornado has a nice J-style bite. The Fury is sensitive to articulation, speaks well at low volumes, and can get very punchy, sitting nicely with the kick drum and cutting through guitars. The Tornado sounds like a pro - although it's somewhat lacking in upper-mid coloration options.
It's refreshing to see a company like Fury sticking to its innovative, in-house designs on such crucial components as pickups and bridges, even when such a practice keeps prices up. If the Tornado feels like a breeze in your hands, you'll be able to blow the roof off.
Bottom Line: A pro-sounding rock bass for smaller-handed players.
Reprinted with permission from Bass Player Magazine, April 1998 Miller Freeman Inc.