Fclef Basses

[Latinferno]

So who owns one? Has anyone had the opportunity to play one? What's the price range? From this youtube clip they sound pretty amazing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nMrTj6o_6Q

Seems to really emulate that 70's/Marcus Miller tone to a tee. Of course the Walter Woods amp could also have a nice influence on the sound too! *drool*

Anyway, check it out if you haven't and listen to the clip and post your thoughts.

[Latinferno]

This video of this bass sounds KILLER (if you can ignore all the background noise).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foL6I...eature=related

Midway through the clip to the end is where it shines.

[Lorenzini]

Awesome.

However, keep in mind that everything I've ever heard Tamas play on smokes.

Still, that's amazing tone for an alder instrument with 60's spacing.

There are some ash/70's spacing clips on Youtube, too.

[Mark Wilson]

Great basses from what I've heard.
No intention on purchasing one though.

[Latinferno]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Great basses from what I've heard.
No intention on purchasing one though.

Yeah they sound good, but I find it interesting that nobody around here has played one/owns one. Especially since it gets the Marcus Miller slap tone perfectly.

[Latinferno]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Awesome.

However, keep in mind that everything I've ever heard Tamas play on smokes.

Still, that's amazing tone for an alder instrument with 60's spacing.

There are some ash/70's spacing clips on Youtube, too.

I'm assuming that there was different spacing between the pickups on a 60's bass and 70's? I obviously have no clue since I really haven't taken any time to check out vintage gear.

[Jon_West]

Originally Posted by Latinferno

Yeah they sound good, but I find it interesting that nobody around here has played one/owns one. Especially since it gets the Marcus Miller slap tone perfectly.

I remember one thread of someone ordering a custom f-clef bass. Long story short, he never got the bass and they screwed him out of 2000 dollars.

If someone remembers the thread, feel free to post the link.

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by Jon_West

I remember one thread of someone ordering a custom f-clef bass. Long story short, he never got the bass and they screwed him out of 2000 dollars.

If someone remembers the thread, feel free to post the link.

fclef bass cheating my money

Quick thread delivery brought to you by champbassist

Use the search function and you'll come to know how Fclef already had a bad rep on TB as reported by another user (not for instrument quality, mind you, IIRC it was something about customer service). Then the above thread came up and I haven't heard of the matter since.

[zeb_bass]

Originally Posted by champbassist

fclef bass cheating my money

Quick thread delivery brought to you by champbassist

Use the search function and you'll come to know how Fclef already had a bad rep on TB as reported by another user (not for instrument quality, mind you, IIRC it was something about customer service). Then the above thread came up and I haven't heard of the matter since.

Oh yeah IB4TL

+ Fclef inevitably opens again the can of worms of high priced basses with dubious origin.

Seems to be somehow connected also to the Fodera thugs.

The rumors about the NYC series Foderas dubious origin seems to fit the bill additionally.

If you are interested in such kind of a bass you might want to check the inovator

http://www.bottomwave.com/BWMB/BottomWave.htm

instead of going with the imitator.

+ I am sure the Japanese will serve you with flawless business ethics at a much better price.

[funkometer]

I have an fclef bass, and love it! So do all the musicians I play with. Fclef gets no love here on TB, but who cares! TB doesnt book my gigs!! If you ask me, getting ahold of any good bass or cab is a pain in the a$$. I have had a Sad NYC, in which Kevin at sad was a major pain to order a bass from, wont do that again. Had a Ken Smith for a while, he wasnt fun to deal with either. The price that these Alleva's sell for is ridiculous, if you ask me. If you like the bass, who cares if the person who made it isnt all youd hoped theyd be. I deal with aholes and shady characters everyday being a full time musician.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Awesome.

However, keep in mind that everything I've ever heard Tamas play on smokes.

Still, that's amazing tone for an alder instrument with 60's spacing.

There are some ash/70's spacing clips on Youtube, too.

so which was the wider spacing again...60's or 70's and isn't only one of the pickups moved and the other position identical on both?

[narud]

Originally Posted by funkometer

I deal with aholes and shady characters everyday being a full time musician.

[flypejose]

Originally Posted by funkometer

I have an fclef bass, and love it! So do all the musicians I play with. Fclef gets no love here on TB, but who cares! TB doesnt book my gigs!! If you ask me, getting ahold of any good bass or cab is a pain in the a$$. I have had a Sad NYC, in which Kevin at sad was a major pain to order a bass from, wont do that again. Had a Ken Smith for a while, he wasnt fun to deal with either. The price that these Alleva's sell for is ridiculous, if you ask me. If you like the bass, who cares if the person who made it isnt all youd hoped theyd be. I deal with aholes and shady characters everyday being a full time musician.

+1

The reality is that a discussion forum is in many points like a real community. FClef is being a victim of those who make the wheather here!

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by funkometer

If you ask me, getting ahold of any good bass or cab is a pain in the a$$.

Originally Posted by funkometer

I have had a Sad NYC, in which Kevin at sad was a major pain to order a bass from, wont do that again. Had a Ken Smith for a while, he wasnt fun to deal with either.

I can understand Ken Smith, but Sadowsky? I've heard over and over that their service is great!

[Just Thumpin']

FClef basses has been a Fodera Dealer for many years. They also have their own basses made for them that have nothing whatsoever to do with our NYC's.

"Thugs" is a very interesting choice of words to use for people that have dedicated their lives to building basses at the highest possible level (an instrument that you presumably love based on being part of this forum). I am very sorry that you feel this way about us. Not sure what we did to deserve this kind of remark...

In terms of the Fodera NYC's, there is nothing dubious about their origin whatsoever if you take the time to learn about them. I have posted EXTENSIVELY on the topic in the Fodera Club thread (a search on "Fodera NYC" should do the trick). Briefly...

1. We select the wood for them from our Brooklyn wood stash...
2. The wood is sent to a small shop in Japan where they are handmade by people that are experienced luthiers that we have been working with for almost 20 years.
3. These same people came to Brooklyn to train for six months BEFORE they started working on our NYC's.
4. The basses are carved, painted and fretted in the shop in Japan before being sent back to us in Brooklyn.
5. EVERY bass is assembled, final fretwork done, electronics installed and set-up by Joey, me and/or Vinny...

That is the real deal with the NYC....

BTW, in case you are not aware of the changes here at Fodera...since last October I have been a Partner at the Shop and am in charge of running the business side of things and can promise you that you will experience the very highest ethical standards. If something has been handled improperly in any way please feel free to let me know about it and it will be fixed. I can always be reached at:

jdesalvo@fodera.com

Jason

Originally Posted by zeb_bass

Seems to be somehow connected also to the Fodera thugs.

The rumors about the NYC series Foderas dubious origin seems to fit the bill additionally.

[funkometer]

I am ready to start seeing more of these Japanese built basses like bacchus and bottomwave over here, american boutique basses are way overpriced. I can go overseas and have a 6 string sadowsky made, but cant get it from the 'man in the US unless im Tal or Will......seems backwards to me.

[peterpalmieri]

Originally Posted by funkometer

I am ready to start seeing more of these Japanese built basses like bacchus and bottomwave over here, american boutique basses are way overpriced. I can go overseas and have a 6 string sadowsky made, but cant get it from the 'man in the US unless im Tal or Will......seems backwards to me.

Uumm...Neither Tal or Will play a 6 string bass and I don't think Sadowsky Japan makes a 6 string bass, although they did make one or a few as a test at some point I believe. Plenty of guys in and out of the US that will make you a six string just not Roger. I have no problem with that.

In any case buying a "boutique bass" from outside the US is an option that we have been seeing for quite some time now. There is nothing backwards about it. Labor in the US is much more expensive then it is in other parts of the world.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by funkometer

I am ready to start seeing more of these Japanese built basses like bacchus and bottomwave over here

I know this is a thread about FClef basses and turned into J basses made in Japan. And their quality and sound.


Here's another to ad to the list.

Xotic.

http://www.xotic.us/guitars/XJ1_johnPena/index.html


















And yes I'm an Xotic endorser.

[peterpalmieri]

Originally Posted by Just Thumpin'

FClef basses has been a Fodera Dealer for many years. They also have their own basses made for them that have nothing whatsoever to do with our NYC's.

"Thugs" is a very interesting choice of words to use for people that have dedicated their lives to building basses at the highest possible level (an instrument that you presumably love based on being part of this forum). I am very sorry that you feel this way about us. Not sure what we did to deserve this kind of remark...

In terms of the Fodera NYC's, there is nothing dubious about their origin whatsoever if you take the time to learn about them. I have posted EXTENSIVELY on the topic in the Fodera Club thread (a search on "Fodera NYC" should do the trick). Briefly...

1. We select the wood for them from our Brooklyn wood stash...
2. The wood is sent to a small shop in Japan where they are handmade by people that are experienced luthiers that we have been working with for almost 20 years.
3. These same people came to Brooklyn to train for six months BEFORE they started working on our NYC's.
4. The basses are carved, painted and fretted in the shop in Japan before being sent back to us in Brooklyn.
5. EVERY bass is assembled, final fretwork done, electronics installed and set-up by Joey, me and/or Vinny...

That is the real deal with the NYC....

BTW, in case you are not aware of the changes here at Fodera...since last October I have been a Partner at the Shop and am in charge of running the business side of things and can promise you that you will experience the very highest ethical standards. If something has been handled improperly in any way please feel free to let me know about it and it will be fixed. I can always be reached at:

jdesalvo@fodera.com

Jason

Jason,

I continue to appreciate your contributions here on TB.

There is a history of threads about Fodera NYC, Fclef and Bottomwave here where the similarities and differences were never well explained.

I am glad you have helped to clear that up.

Pete

[GM60466]

I have been playing bass for over 40 years and I have never had a dealer or manufacturer hold a gun to my head and make be buy something I didn't want no matter what the price is or where the bass was built. Has something changed in the last few months

G