yybass

Yes I totally agree, top gentleman

[quote name='Marvin' post='753281' date='Feb 21 2010, 09:46 PM'](in game show host style) You're wrrrrrrong I'm afraid, so you don't win a prize. Also the analogy between expensive basses and why buy a Porsche when you can have a Fiesta, just doesn't stack up. At the risk of getting ripped apart by the rest of you, the difference between say a standard stock instrument of very good quality and reasonable price tag and these very expensive basses is just simply not that big. You argue about materials, craftsmenship, core tone, electronics and all the other bits, the gap is not that big. Why can Fodera charge that much, because we've all become self indulgent and selfish. 'Oh I couldn't possibly pay a little more tax so someone can have maybe the access to life saving cancer drugs' but I can indulge myself in very expensive well anything. It's crap just admit it. We're all hypocrites. Waits for the wrath of basschaters to ensue. [/quote] Everyone is entitled to their opinion and they don't necsessarily have to justufy it, which was succinctly stated in a previous response and I really don't understand why you should expect abuse. Anyway, I will continue to enjoy my Ken Smith & Fodera Basses

[quote name='budget bassist' post='753259' date='Feb 21 2010, 09:07 PM']I think because manufacturers such as squier etc are making such quality affordable basses that some of the stuff that fender and the like churn out just seems very very expensive for what it is, and i have to agree - to a point. At the end of the day, is £2000 fender really going to sound 100x better than a £200 or so squier VMJ?[/quote] Yes!

[quote name='paulie' post='753066' date='Feb 21 2010, 06:16 PM']Dont get me wrong, they look like gorgeous basses but why on earth are Fodera's as expensive as they are? Are they just the "in thing" at the moment or am I missing something. Your thoughts please[/quote] You could also ask why would some-one buy a Porsche when you can buy a Fiesta, well the answer lies in the scale between econmics & desire. Moreover you only you can decide that, all I can suggest is to try one it may not necessarily be something that you want. The other thing to consider is that they are handmade with a lot of exotic woods that are made to your specification, they are certainly not churned out like cars. Anyway this the an opinion of some-one that went from Music Man Stingrays>ken Smith>Fodera and utterly hooked, because of the sound, feel, workmanship & finally easy to play. That's my 2 scents

Hi there I am no expert on amps & cabs I just like what my ears translate. I had a Epifani 502 which was recently swapped with a Fender guitar. I found the sound too harsh @ high volumes and not warm. I now have a DB750 paired with MPP-2 pre-amp, connected to Epifani 4x10 & T-212, now that is warm & clean with lots of headroom.I can honestly say it is like playing a bass in a studio enviroment.It also shows up the quality of your bass. So, if you decide to buy an Agular DB750 you will not be making a mistake. yybass

That is a stunning bass I am not surprised that you are not parting with it. Try an iGig case, they are well built and built to last.

[quote name='Mokl' post='731034' date='Jan 31 2010, 08:25 PM']I've had my Monarch for about four years now, and I wouldn't part with it. It's taken me a long time to properly get into the instrument, I have never known a bass take so long to get "played in", but it is there now. It wasn't new when I got it, but only about a year old, I think. I love the sound, playability and look of it, I actually don't consider it too ostentatious looking, although others may disagree. It doesn't look as bling as the Sei I once owned, but these days I consider that a good thing. Frankly the bass delivers in all departments, sound, playability, balance and weight are all spot on. I have owned quite a few top notch basses (although not a Smith and am not keen on Alembics), and this, for me, is the best that I have played, Having said that I have had a few niggling issues with it, not least an annoying development of lacquer cracks over last winter (although we had some problems with damp and cold in the place we were living in at the time which probably didn't help). I know it is quite a valuable instrument but I take it to all my gigs - needs to justify what I have invested in it! Oh, and the case is crap. I believe my bass came to the UK through a basschat forum member, although I bought it from another. All I can say, whoever you are, is thanks![/quote]

Here's my '2 cents'.... I have owned played 15xStingray's, Yamaha JP6, Sadowsky Jazz 5(great B String), Sadowsky Fretless, Fender Marcus 4/5,2x Alembic Stanley Short scale, ken Smith 6's, Modulus & Fodera basses. IMHO Alembic's, Fodera & Ken Smith basses are in a different class to the aforementioned basses. I wondered what the fuss was about till I bought my 1st Ken Smith 4 years ago and believe me seeing, playing & hearing these high end basses is something else. The craftsmanship that is involved with basses is very painstaking and maticulous, take Fodera handmade, if the atmospheric conditions are not good at the time of rest during the build, they would have to throw the necks away.Ken Smith same again and finished off by the man himself. The sound of these basses is are characteristically noticeable in their own right. I bought 2 Stingrays 5's fret & fretless recently, I sold them both 4 weeks later (this does not mean that Stingrays are rubbish, if I could get my hands on a '76 or '77 i would be delighted). I could not go get on with them because I became spoilt with my Fodera's & Ken Smith basses.That said the sound of these high end basses is not every-ones 'cup of tea'. Living proof is that I sold a Fodera Monarch to another basschatter and he still has it to this day (Feb'09). To this end, try one I you may not leave your credit card in your wallet and yes you may have to sell 3 basses for just one.

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I had three iGig Cases from mikobass.com, sold 2 and bought a Double bag. They are very well made with good storage facilities, MP3 player, pens, cables and even a small amp. I doubt I will have to replace them for the next few years.

[quote name='jonthebass' post='701447' date='Jan 5 2010, 12:13 PM']I'm after a nice gig bag too and would like to hear people's user opinions on the above mentioned. Cheers, Jon[/quote]