It sure is purdy and yes, he does need a reprimand 
I think that, in general, block inlays are a little over the top but that's just me. Lovely Ebony top on this one. My first Fodera was a 1989 Emperor Deluxe 4 with EMG PJs that I found at Corner Music in Nashville in 1996. It also had a Macassar Ebony top but it wasn't nearly as dramatic as this. It was played a lot and needed finish work and probably a refret but I just played it anyway. I really didn't get along with the EMGs and still don't to this day. I let it go after a few years but really wish I had kept it because I've never seen it again.
But then I did find another (truly vintage) 1988 Emperor 4 Deluxe JJ last year, this time with a Bubinga top and man is it something special. The necks on the early 4 strings are the absolute best necks I've ever felt by any builder. It apparently shipped with Bartolinis but at some point someone swapped in EMGs
Again, I tried to like them but they're really not my thing. I installed Aero Type 1s and just have a passive VVT circuit and now it sings.
There are some pretty nice vintage Foderas on the market right now, particularly in Japan, but asking prices are insane.
Case in point: https://reverb.com/item/94864978-us...kohama-price-included-shipping-import-tax-vat
I think that, in general, block inlays are a little over the top but that's just me. Lovely Ebony top on this one. My first Fodera was a 1989 Emperor Deluxe 4 with EMG PJs that I found at Corner Music in Nashville in 1996. It also had a Macassar Ebony top but it wasn't nearly as dramatic as this. It was played a lot and needed finish work and probably a refret but I just played it anyway. I really didn't get along with the EMGs and still don't to this day. I let it go after a few years but really wish I had kept it because I've never seen it again.But then I did find another (truly vintage) 1988 Emperor 4 Deluxe JJ last year, this time with a Bubinga top and man is it something special. The necks on the early 4 strings are the absolute best necks I've ever felt by any builder. It apparently shipped with Bartolinis but at some point someone swapped in EMGs
Again, I tried to like them but they're really not my thing. I installed Aero Type 1s and just have a passive VVT circuit and now it sings.There are some pretty nice vintage Foderas on the market right now, particularly in Japan, but asking prices are insane.
Case in point: https://reverb.com/item/94864978-us...kohama-price-included-shipping-import-tax-vat
