Fodera Club Part XVI

[Lennard III.]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I wouldn't call walnut punchy and growly. My walnut Emperor is more like refined and slightly compressed. Ash is probably more along the lines of what you're looking for. My mahogany Viceroy is a little more throaty and barky.

I have an Emperor elite from 2006 with a Walnut body, Makassar Ebony top, 3 p. maple neck and Ebony fingerboard and this bass growls a lot when played on the bridge PU and the tone rolled off 80% (maybe it's also because of the Ebony top ? I don't know)

Also this bass has a very good portion of punch (of course not that much like a good Ash bass but nice too...)

And yes this Bass also has a touch of compression but I think this is because of the Ebony since this wood (to my ears) has this touch of compression in it's tonal atributes.

But that's all my impression of course

And you're right - Mahogany could also be an option

[andysvec]

Hi Jason - any timeframe on completion dates for E5Ss from the summer's order? I'm #63, I saw a TBr in the last thread was #65 and was thinking January?
Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Lennard III.

If I would like to play in a Rock/Metal band with my Fodera I would go with sth. like that :

Walnut Body (punchy & growly) or an Ash body

I would go without a top wood - maybe even better with a pickguard

A Bolt-On maple neck (for the attack, also great when playing with the pick)

Rosewood fretboard (adding some warmth)

Dual Coils with exposed magnets (but I'm sure Singlecoils would sound great too)

Originally Posted by andysvec

Hi Jason - any timeframe on completion dates for E5Ss from the summer's order? I'm #63, I saw a TBr in the last thread was #65 and was thinking January?
Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

I was recently told early-mid Jan from my retailer for #65 and Bass Central is also showing a delivery date of January for #64.

Hopefully Jason can confirm.

[andysvec]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

I was recently told early-mid Jan from my retailer for #65 and Bass Central is also showing a delivery date of January for #64.

Hopefully Jason can confirm.

cool, I've been patiently waiting since placing my order and haven't bugged them but am starting to get curious Also I thought that there maybe a setback in production with all the recent closures/weather issues

[nostatic]

Jason said they were going to work some weekends to make up for the Sandy issues. They've been on-time with most everything.

[Modern Growl]

Hey guys - I'm sorta considering a Fodera Monarch Standard 4... and wondering how these compare in tone to something like an MTD or Roscoe?

I know MTD and Roscoe offer tons of tonewood options... but say the builds are all the same tonewoods - any comparitive thoughts?

[nostatic]

I've owned 3 Roscoes and played a few MTDs, though my Roscoes were all 5-strings (as were the MTDs I played). To my ear the Monarch Std will have less baked-in tone than the other two. IME MTDs sound like MTDs and pretty much nothing else. Roscoe is a bit more flexible but they have that mid bias of the Bart soapbar/pre. The dual coils on the Monarch are somewhat in that ballpark, but being able to coil split gives you some other options.

Visually, I prefer the Monarch 4 to any of the Roscoe shapes or the MTD but that is totally personal.

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I've owned 3 Roscoes and played a few MTDs, though my Roscoes were all 5-strings (as were the MTDs I played). To my ear the Monarch Std will have less baked-in tone than the other two. IME MTDs sound like MTDs and pretty much nothing else. Roscoe is a bit more flexible but they have that mid bias of the Bart soapbar/pre. The dual coils on the Monarch are somewhat in that ballpark, but being able to coil split gives you some other options.

Visually, I prefer the Monarch 4 to any of the Roscoe shapes or the MTD but that is totally personal.

I've owned two roscoes and one MTD, played many more of each, and this is right on. The Fodera will likely have a much more traditional sound than the super scooped mids and bright highs of the MTD, as well as more bottom. and be a bit more open on the high end than the Roscoes with a bit more core to the sound at the same time.

Fodera's seem much more versatile overall.

[nuwavedc]

Originally Posted by Jason Wilson

Hi Fodera peeps

I was wondering, out of the Fodera range, which bass would have the more agressive (growl) sound that would suit Rock/metal?
I know people will say it's in your fingers and how you play blah blah, but basses do have different sounds regardless of how you play.

I know Foderas aren't 'normally' (although I'm quite sure they are by some people) involved in this style of music, but I'm sure they would be awesome.

Any suggestions, recommendations?

If you are adventurous I'd consider the different pickup locations offered by Fodera. You can talk to Jason about that, the TK spacing is interesting for instance.

A longer scale will produce more growl too.

[Modern Growl]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I've owned 3 Roscoes and played a few MTDs, though my Roscoes were all 5-strings (as were the MTDs I played). To my ear the Monarch Std will have less baked-in tone than the other two. IME MTDs sound like MTDs and pretty much nothing else. Roscoe is a bit more flexible but they have that mid bias of the Bart soapbar/pre. The dual coils on the Monarch are somewhat in that ballpark, but being able to coil split gives you some other options.

Visually, I prefer the Monarch 4 to any of the Roscoe shapes or the MTD but that is totally personal.

Thanks for the input. I narrowed my choices down to a Roscoe or Fodera. MTD's are very bright.

Im looking for a punchy bass above all. I tend to cut highs and depending on the material, high mids around 1k for a very fat/jazzy tone. But at the same time I would like the bass to be ultra responsive and quick... with the ability to dial out some upper mid grind.

Anyone?

Also, do you guys know where the midrange is centered on the new Monarch Standard? (Wish it had the 3 way switch)
And do you know if the pickups are in the 60' or 70's style position?

[nostatic]

I find MTDs to have way too much sizzle. I could never own one but I get why some guys like that tone. Both the Roscoe and Fodera will punch, but I prefer the Pope preamp over the Bart. It also depends on what amp/cab you're using as that will impact the tone as well. Not sure what mid freq the preamp is, but I remember from my YYS that it was useful for cutting through a mix when I needed it. As for 60's vs 70's, since they are dual coils not sure how well that will translate. I think when you split it is the outer coils but I could be wrong.

As for responsive and quick, those are two words that go with Fodera. They are brutally honest basses - they let you now immediately what you've played.

[Modern Growl]

Originally Posted by nostatic

As for responsive and quick, those are two words that go with Fodera. They are brutally honest basses - they let you now immediately what you've played.

Good stuff right there

[gkbass13]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

Good stuff right there

Good stuff and 100% true. Love how responsive these basses are!

[Modern Growl]

Originally Posted by gkbass13

Good stuff and 100% true. Love how responsive these basses are!

I play with a lot of ghost notes, stops, and other small nuances (very, very light touch with stainless steel strings (DR Lo-Riders).

I'm all about the nuances... if these basses let those shine through - they should be killer.

[mjac28]

Ok I don't have a Fodera Bass but I have a Fodera model 2011 preamp that Mr Mike Pope is going over for me I have to get in this club

[mjac28]

Just once I would like to be with the cool kids

[gkbass13]

Same here man. Lots of little nuances that can get lost on other instruments.

[iwearpumas]

I need some quick advice. I want a Fodera. Is it better for me to get the ES5, or just save up and wait, then order a Custom? Basically, are the customs THAT MUCH MORE superior than the ES5?

[gkbass13]

Go to the Sam Ash in midtown. They have a hugely overpriced ES5 hanging on the wall and Larry Hartke would be happy to let you play it. If you dig it, order one.

I think it mostly comes down to specs. If what you would order mirrors the ES5 for the most part, then I don't see much reason to go custom. But if you've always been jonesing for a chambered walnut body, ebony board and figured myrtle top...well....

[mjac28]

I would love to just play one nearest place I think is in Chicago for me unless someone knows a place in Ohio?