Quote:
Originally Posted by pn02  anthony--
do you think the average player can discern differences between a standard fodera and the artist model? |
Over the past two years, I've owned:
Yin Yang Standard (my first Fodera)
Yin Yang Deluxe
Monarch Deluxe 4
Monarch Deluxe 4
Emperor Deluxe 5
Matt Garrison Standard
Plus I've played examples of all of the standards. I still own the YYD and MGS. I have a pair of Monarch 5 Elites in production. There are four different "standards" right now - Ying Yang, Monarch 4, Emperor 5, and Matt Garrison. The first 3 are bolt-on necks, the MGS is neck-through. The first three have the standard Pope preamp, the MGS has the custom Pope - so the MGS is kind of a different beast (and the price reflects it).
imho the standards are 95+% of the customs without the wait or price. They really are that good - fit and finish is superb as is tone and playability. I call them a "gateway drug" though. Once you play one you start thinking bad thoughts about customs. In my case I wanted a chambered body and really like either the dovetail or neck-through, so I spent the $$$ on customs.
As for "average player" telling the difference - depends on the player. Some might be able to tell the difference but might not care (due to price differences), others might not be able to notice a difference beyond the obvious construction differences.
Personally, I've owned most every nice bass out there, and the only things I now own and regularly gig are Fodera and a Rob Allen fretless (plus I have a Lull for gigs that demand a "traditional" look). All the other ones are gone. ymmv
