Fodera basses

[peteb]

Does anyone here own or play a Fodera bass?

I always thought that they just way overpriced but I played one at a jam night a couple of nights ago and I'm converted - totally rigid necks with a superb action and generally great to play with the most powerful (and best) active electronics I've ever heard on a bass!

Still don't think that I would pay £4K for one, but I'm beginning to understand why someone might!

[bubinga5]

Would love to play one..cant help thinking that they are overpriced though (like you said)......cant imagine that they are £1000 better than a say NYC Sadowsky.....(but horses for courses and all that).i gotta say though i LOVE the emperor and NYC models, just beautiful instruments...

Edited January 30, 2010 by bubinga5

[purpleblob]

I'm afraid I've never tried one - I'd very much love to try one and see how it compares to my Wal and Sei (mind you I'd love to try an Alembic Stanley Clarke and compare also ).

EDIT: Actually maybe I'd be better off not trying either a Fodera or Alembic out - my bank account might not take the strain if I then felt the desperate need to have one

Edited January 30, 2010 by purpleblob

[yybass]

PM sent

Edited January 30, 2010 by yybass

[thodrik]

I would love to try out a Fodera but as stated by somebody earlier I have my doubts as to whether it would be worth the extra money over an NYC Sadowsky, unless you count that Fodera basses have a very unique design that is totally their own while the Sadowsky is pretty much Fender-based.

If you need a Fodera then paying all money is somewhat justified, (like owning a Wal I guess). If you need a great bass though, there are many other companies you could also consider that make top quality instruments, just without the price.

I probably would have to sell my 4 good basses and come up with some extra money to come close to getting a Fodera, which considering this list includes a Vigier and a Sadowsky Metro seems a bit extreme!

[Huw Foster]

It's all down to taste of course, but with that price tag they could've made them a bit less ugly.

(Just went on the website and was greeted with a barrage of singlecuts. My own personal bass hell.)

[Kiwi]

Fodera's prices are influenced mostly by demand, they have a 2-3 year waiting list. Maybe take what you value about Fodera and see if someone else offers the same but more reasonable price? Loads of contenders at least in the US. I can think of a couple of names in the UK too.

[yybass]

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.

Edited January 31, 2010 by yybass

[k-sad]

Hi there
I own 2 NYC's, definitely the best basse i've ever had (far away from our french luthiers, don't get me wrong i had great time playing all sorts of instruments but since i got my first Fodera, ebony and graphite, i just don't wanna play an other instrument, and i've tried a few ^^).
I've heard that some may be a bit "less sounding" than others, but i bought both of mine from the US without trying them, and had no troubles at all...
(think i should post them in the porn thread thing )

ps : what yybass just said is just so true

Edited January 31, 2010 by k-sad

[Nick Brown]

I have 2 right now, this one -



and a Monarch 4 string.

They are great basses and when I bought mine weren't quite so hideously priced.

Having said that there are other marques I like as much. Certainly the W&T basses are really getting close to
the same ball park as the Foderas, in fact they are probably up there right now. On the more traditional area
I feel the Alleva Coppolo basses have that kind of quality too.

[Kiwi]

[quote name='yybass' post='730859' date='Jan 31 2010, 05:50 PM']IMHO Alembic's, Fodera & Ken Smith basses are in a different class to the aforementioned basses.[/quote]
I've owned three Ken Smiths. Unlike the Foderas I liked them enough to own them but they've all been sold since. I still own an Alembic but I like the sound of my modified 600 quid '96 Czech made Spector to be honest. It's way better than all three Smiths ever were in every way. The Smiths and Alembics I've played are all idiosyncratic instruments, meaning if I took one to a gig I'd have to set my backline up around compensating for those idiosyncracies. So in my experience the distinction isn't so clear based on brand if it just comes down to sound and playability.

[Faithless]

I don't dig the comparison of Fodera and Sadowsky - yep, they're both based in NYC - that's probably the only similarity..

Sadowsky is pretty much all Fender-based, whereas Fodera has quite unique and non-traditional design style and sound.

I love the looks of Foderas, but I can't get with their sound [i]yet[/i].

But, then again, all I've heard yet was Matthew Garrison (soulless sound, but that's maybe because his music to me seems so soulless..) and Janek Gwizdala - his sound was pretty lovely sometimes..

Edited January 31, 2010 by Faithless

[Mokl]

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!

Edited January 31, 2010 by Mokl

[yybass]

[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]

[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.

[4000]

[quote name='Faithless' post='730960' date='Jan 31 2010, 06:56 PM']I don't dig the comparison of Fodera and Sadowsky - yep, they're both based in NYC - that's probably the only similarity..

Sadowsky is pretty much all Fender-based, whereas Fodera has quite unique and non-traditional design style and sound.

I love the looks of Foderas, but I can't get with their sound [i]yet[/i].

But, then again, all I've heard yet was Matthew Garrison (soulless sound, but that's maybe because his music to me seems so soulless..) and Janek Gwizdala - his sound was pretty lovely sometimes..[/quote]

I happen to love Matt and his sound (and his music, which personally I find anything but soulless). Not keen on Victor's sound though.

My favourite boutiques are probably the top-end Alembics with Sei Bass there or thereabouts; I haven't liked the Foderas I've tried as much as the Seis on average, but everyone is different, and I have to say I've never used a Fodera live. Its ultimately such a personal thing though and every single instrument differs so much.

Edited January 31, 2010 by 4000

[funkypenguin]

[quote name='Nick Brown' post='730912' date='Jan 31 2010, 06:23 PM']I have 2 right now, this one -



and a Monarch 4 string.

They are great basses and when I bought mine weren't quite so hideously priced.

Having said that there are other marques I like as much. Certainly the W&T basses are really getting close to
the same ball park as the Foderas, in fact they are probably up there right now. On the more traditional area
I feel the Alleva Coppolo basses have that kind of quality too.[/quote]

whoaaa.....thats a lovely (presentation?) bass there! whats she like to play? im assuming it has the same features as AJ's? (36" scale, 28 frets)

[Kiwi]

[quote name='Faithless' post='730960' date='Jan 31 2010, 06:56 PM']I don't dig the comparison of Fodera and Sadowsky - yep, they're both based in NYC - that's probably the only similarity..

Sadowsky is pretty much all Fender-based, whereas Fodera has quite unique and non-traditional design style and sound.[/quote]
What left me underwhelmed about Foderas was how close to a jazz bass they sounded (to my ears at least.) I guess I was just disappointed with them despite having high hopes. No question that they're well built though.

[Veils]

I've played one Fodera and I was blown away by it. Sounded gorgeous and possibly the easiest playing bass I've ever had the pleasure of trying. I'd love to be able to afford to own one!

[Nick Brown]

[quote name='funkypenguin' post='731265' date='Feb 1 2010, 01:18 AM']whoaaa.....thats a lovely (presentation?) bass there! whats she like to play? im assuming it has the same features as AJ's? (36" scale, 28 frets)[/quote]

It is 36" and has 28 frets.

It's surprisingly easy to play with a little adjustment. I wouldn't want to try playing it standing up on a strap but then it wasn't designed
to be played that way. It sounds really lovely too.

[Bilbo]

Is it just me? Is it my age but I grew up in a world where you lived within your means and made do with what you could afford.

I love the look of these basses and would love to own an Anthony Jackson model six-string but, despite earning a very good salary and living a fairly unostentatious lifestyle, I just can't justify the expense. Like others, I could sell my Gibson ES175, Ovation Adamus, Takamine CD132SC and Status Energy 5 - but, if I did, I still wouldn't have enough to get a Fodera unless I sold the Wal as well. To be blunt, its not worth it. I don't care how great they sound (and they do), as a mere mortal, I can't justify that level of sacrifice and expenditure for a bass. WIth absolute respect to some of you guys, I don't know where any of you get the money for these basses!

I did a latin gig last night with the Wal/Eden Metro and it sounded marvellous. I can live with denying myself the Fodera. And, as I always say, its the music that matters not the gear.

[davidmpires]

I really like Foderas, I believe them to be in the same league as a Ritter and oh boy I lust for one.

I just don't get the 3 year wait for a Fodera, I would hate to wait so much, but then again my wallet wouldn't hurt so much

[Flanker]

[quote]Is it just me? Is it my age but I grew up in a world where you lived within your means and made do with what you could afford.[/quote]

Are you over eighty years old?

Unless you are being tongue in cheek it's funny this comes from someone with the basses you have?

Ten grand on a bass can seem an outrageous amount or it can be pocket money.To the vast majority of the worlds population the cost of a MIM Fender Jazz would equate to a Bentley to most of us.

[Bilbo]

[quote name='Flanker' post='731488' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:32 AM']To the vast majority of the worlds population the cost of a MIM Fender Jazz would equate to a Bentley to most of us.[/quote]

Good point well made.

[mcgraham]

Very true about the 'cost is all relative comment'. For example, when a BC'er posted a comment in another thread with the (effective) message 'you've got nothing to moan about compared to those in Haiti', it struck me that you can cast almost any comment in a selfish light relative to something else. The MIM fender being a good example.

Back on topic, I've never tried a Fodera. I'd love to try one at some point, but I think CK raises a valid point that a lot of their cost is due to demand. Hence, I couldn't justify that amount of money on one.

Mark