Fodera Switch

keny46 · #1 07-17-2006, 10:50 AM

Janek,

Just out of curiosity I was wondering why you switched to Fodera basses from the Wals that you use to play? I was wondering what you liked and disliked about the Wal basses you had? Also are you going to get a Fodera fretless bass if you already don't have one, or have one on the way? I haven't gotten a chance to play either basses, although I have heard them played by quite a few people ( I saw a video of you playing your fretless Wal which was amazing btw) I hear both are very well made basses (Foderas are considered by many bass players to be the best). Just curious of your opinion.

Kenny

fretless Bob · #2 07-17-2006, 11:01 AM

well im not sure what Janek is gonna say but i think it might have a lot to do with where he was, if i was in NYC and looking for a new bass that would be the first place i would go.

also the tone diference between a Fodera and a wal is so different, that you cant really compare, and Fodera will do a lot more custom options that Wal wont (believe me i asked)

Dave

janekbass · #3 07-17-2006, 11:19 AM

I was hanging out in the Fodera workshop with some cats and had been checking out the basses for a while. I felt the shape and feel of the bass I ended up getting suited my playing for certain things better than the Wal. I loved and still love (for another two days before it leaves anyway...) the wal. It has been with me since the beginning. I've played it on over 100 recordings as a sideman and used it on all of my debut album as a leader. It's very sad that I have to sell it.

There are differences between the basses and I love them both for different reasons. I don't think I can even really talk about the differences between the basses with authority as I haven't had the fodera for that long. Only about 18 months.

What I will say about the Wal is that it is an amazing studio bass. I could get any sound out of it that I needed. I played on gospel, pop, R&B, country, rock, jazz, and blues records with that bass and kept every producer I worked with happy. As well as being happy with the sound myself.

But you know, people change. And I found something I felt I could work more with in the fodera. Something I could do something new on. We'll see how that goes.

Which video are you talking about with me playing a fretless wal? I did used to own a fretless wal, but I only played it in the studio except for a couple of gigs and sold it about 3 years ago. could you post a link to the video?

So yeah, Foderas are certainly one of the best crafted bass guitars in the world. The care and attention to detail and sound is like nothing else in the world of bass building. And they're not paying me to say this either, their basses are also some of the most expensive that exist too. I'm talking to them about doing a 6 string on the same size neck as my 5. I've always hated the width of the necks on 6 strings, they're like ironing boards. So if we can make it happen in the design, I'll go with another bass from them.

SEND ME A LINK TO THAT VIDEO! please.... i'm interested to see what it is.

Easy,

Janek

keny46 · #4 07-17-2006, 12:43 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TSKG...nek%20Gwizdala

Here you go. You can't really make out if it's you but it sure sounds like you, my apologizes if it isn't.

janekbass · #5 07-17-2006, 01:49 PM

Kenny,

thanks for the link. That was the bass I'm selling right now, the fretted Wal. no need to apologize at all dood, I see what you mean with the sound. I have a bit of a thing with making fretted basses sound a bit fretless. Something to do with the phrasing, I'm tryin to work it out for myself and maybe take it in a new direction.

Let me know if there are any more vidz posted anywhere....

Easy,

Janek

ArwinH · #6 07-17-2006, 05:16 PM

I just watched a video from namma t the epi/fodera booth, found it from the link posted earlier.

You have incredible melodic sense and great phrasing, makes me want to pick up a five string to tune e-c and explore those avenues.

fretless Bob · #7 07-17-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArwinH

.......You have incredible melodic sense and great phrasing, makes me want to pick up a five string to tune e-c.......

+1000

Dave

gkbass13 · #8 07-17-2006, 06:10 PM

im nto playign a wal or fodera yet, but i love having a 5 strung E-C. my chordal approach ahs deffinitely developed a great deal from makign that change. nice clip janek, i deffinitely dig what you're up to man.

Alun · #9 07-18-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArwinH

I just watched a video from namma t the epi/fodera booth, found it from the link posted earlier.

For anyone who hasn't seen it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG7Vf...nek%20Gwizdala

I really enjoyed the 5ths loop about 4 mins in.What looper were you using? I like the double speed option whatever it is.

Cheers,
Alun

janekbass · #10 07-18-2006, 05:35 PM

Alun,

thanks for checking out the vid. That was the line6 delay modeler that has a loop function in it. some pretty basic stuff. I dropped it from about four feet onto the concrete when I was on tour in Venezuela and smashed the **** out of it, so it totalled now. I'm looking at getting the Boss Loop station now, and checking into that.

Easy,

Janek

gkbass13 · #11 07-18-2006, 05:47 PM

what would hte best looping station witha mini drum machine built in be? ive been curious about this for awhile hoping to eventually get into doing some of that work..once again, nice clip janek if you ever venture up to the capital of our fine state drop me a pm, id love to hit up a gig or throw down a groove for a bit, haha. be easy kid.

janekbass · #12 07-18-2006, 05:50 PM

gkbass13,

I'm not sure about loop stations that have drum machines in them. I'm not that familiar with loop stations in genera, I've always tried to keep the effects and gadgets side of my playing very simple and not really use anything. I'm looking for the most basic thing I can find. when I work with drum loops and loops in general live, I will always use my laptop with Live, Pro-Tools, Battery, Reaktor, or Absynth.

As for playing near you.... I'm doing a trio gig with Mike Stern in Oswega which is upstate so I'm told. I haven't checked it out on a map, but it may be close to Albany. Maybe I'll see you there.

Peace,

Janek

gkbass13 · #13 07-18-2006, 06:10 PM

my girlfriend lives in oswego...its about 2 hours form albany. if you tell me the date/time and such i will defifnitely be there...it would deff be cool to meet you, first rounds on me after the show! stay up,
-grady

janekbass · #14 07-18-2006, 06:13 PM

grady,

the gig is Nov 11th, not sure of the time yet. But check my mmyspace page and all the info will be up there.

Easy,

JAnek

gkbass13 · #15 07-18-2006, 06:43 PM

good stuff janek, i'll probabaly be there.

on a slightly different note, do you have any video clips involving matt garrison and yourself? or links to anything else either of you have done online? thanks,

-grady

janekbass · #16 07-18-2006, 06:47 PM

I don't think anyone's ever been around with a camera when Matt and I have played together. We used to play at his place in Broolkyn all the time when I first moved to NY, and then we were on the road together when he was playing and I was opening for Herbie Hancock in 2001, so we did a lot of playing, but never anything recorded.

I'm sure there's tons of stuff out there with him if you search for it. And there are a couple of videos up on my myspace page of me doing some stuff. there's one with Hiram Bullock and kenwood Dennard which was a lot of fun doing.

Easy,

Janek

gkbass13 · #17 07-18-2006, 06:55 PM

yeah, im digging the clisp on your myspace, i dont have an acount, so im just listening, nice work though. ill have to check out some of matts stuff. peace,

-grady

Alun · #18 07-19-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

Alun,

thanks for checking out the vid. That was the line6 delay modeler that has a loop function in it. some pretty basic stuff. I dropped it from about four feet onto the concrete when I was on tour in Venezuela and smashed the **** out of it, so it totalled now. I'm looking at getting the Boss Loop station now, and checking into that.

Easy,

Janek

Thanks Janek. I've got a Loop Station (the original RC20) but am looking for a second looper as I want to be able to loop unrelated sections (eg a verse and chorus) but don't want to fork out for a Looperlative.

If you are going down the Boss route, the RC20XL is a much improved version of the RC20. There's also a new single pedal RC2 coming out which might be fun (and the much bigger RC-50).

Happy looping!
Cheers,
Alun