molan Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 (edited) [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#282828]Picked this up a while ago as a backup for my regular gigging '86 Fodera Monarch and [/color]I've hung on to it for so long because it was a bit of a 'steal' given the build quality & sound. However,[color=#282828] I've since picked up another old '83 Fodera so don't really need this one any more.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]It was [color=#282828]made by Nikolai Goliaev, a Russian luthier who's been building professionally since 1989. [/color][url="http://ngguitars.narod.ru/index.html"]http://ngguitars.narod.ru/index.html[/url][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]He seems to specialise in PRS lookalikes but has also made basses that aim to replicate the look & feel of 'boutique' manufacturers at much lower prices.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#282828]This one is obviously based on a Fodera Monarch 4 bolt on. Compared to my originals the body is slightly deeper but it has a more pronounced cutaway to compensate for this. I'm pretty sure more recent Monarchs also have the deeper body so it's probably that this was based on something newer than my two. It was built in 2008 so that would bear this theory out as well. Overall dimensions are very similar but with a more rounded lower horn and a[/color][color=#282828] slightly smaller headstock. [/color][color=#282828]Given the pickup configuration I'd guess it was based on a Wooten signature.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#282828]It has active PJ EMG pick-ups (as per the Wooten basses & my '86). Body is mahogany and the top is quite a nice piece of flamed maple which is matched on the headstock. Neck is 3 piece (maple mahogany maple) and it has a really nice thick piece of rosewood for the fingerboard. It's got a lovely smooth satin finish & a nice rounded C shape - actually reminds me a lot of a roscoe I used to own. Bridge is by Schaller & tuners are Wilkinson. All round very good quality components & all nicely carved and put together [/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The only negative thing I have to say about it is that I don't like the cavity cover very much. It performs its basic function OK but wood colour doesn't match the mahogany body. There are some very tiny marks here and there but this really hasn't been played much or abused. A good test of this is that the EMG script on the pickups isn't marked at all - this normally fades or marks very quickly if a bass is used a fair bit.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]My bathroom scales are saying it weighs just under 9.5lbs and the small body shape is very comfortable to play.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The sound of the EMGs is nice and crisp and there's a lot of tonal variation simply by playing with pickup balance. Personally I really like the PJ configuration precisely because of this.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Comes with a fairly basic gig bag.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]So there you have it - something a bit different made with quality components that sounds like a much more expensive instrument and all for the price of a used mass produced USA Fender [/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I'm in this for about £750 but will take £700 for it, happy to ship anywhere & to consider trades for something that might be easy to sell on (I don't really need any more basses but I'm a, self-professed, gear whore so you never know what might interest me!).[/font][/size] Edited July 19, 2012 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Possible trade deal fallen through so the NG is still up for grabs Definitely up for interesting trades on this one if anyone fancies a change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 what are the controls on this Barrie?? just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-sad Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 This is passive i would say, with active pickups... So vol/vol/tone... I didn't know Fodera had deepened their body but my 89 emperor is also pretty slim ^^ Beautiful bass, if this had been a fiver, it would be gone already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 [quote name='k-sad' timestamp='1340144758' post='1700092'] This is passive i would say, with active pickups... So vol/vol/tone... I didn't know Fodera had deepened their body but my 89 emperor is also pretty slim ^^ Beautiful bass, if this had been a fiver, it would be gone already [/quote] You are entirely correct Apologies if my listing wasn't very clear! I think Fodera bodies have evolved slowly over the years and, as a custom builder, people can order whatever they want. My two old Foderas are definitely different body depths and I think the most recent ones are slightly deeper than both of mine. That isn't to say the new ones are particularly deep, just that some of the older ones are quite 'svelte' The NG is a surprisingly nice bass, especially the neck which is really nicely finished and very 'playable'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 New Fodera arrived in the house today so this one really needs to go type bump Make me an offer or a trade deal - you never know what I might say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Reduced to £700 - off on holiday on Friday so won't be around for a couple of weeks. Can arrange shipping whilst away though Interested in trades for US or Japanese Fenders, Laklands, Sandberg etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Very nice indeed! I'd just outline the cavity cover on some black perspex if it annoyed me much, half an hours work . That's got qiss easy to play written all over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks Schnozz - the cavity doesn't really annoy me, it's just not as 'perfect' as the rest of the aesthetics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 Trade deal fallen through type bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted July 14, 2012 Author Share Posted July 14, 2012 On holiday in the USA but flying home tomorrow and in a generous mood type price reduction How about £650? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted July 14, 2012 Author Share Posted July 14, 2012 On holiday in the USA but flying home tomorrow and in a generous mood type price reduction How about £650? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted July 14, 2012 Author Share Posted July 14, 2012 (edited) Trade now agreed Edited July 19, 2012 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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