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CL find - prototype Fodera!

Bollenator

Bollenator

The Ersatz Haderach
Supporting Member
Jun 2, 2010
629
298
Western Washington
#1
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I find the logo explanation perfectly plausible. :rollno: I can't honestly say I'm not the least bit curious, though. :help:

EDIT: It's not real - you know it, I know it. This is just a silly post to display the unassailable quality of CL listings.
 
#8
When I saw the subject line I got all excited. In 1985 I went to NYC to find a 5 string bass and in the window of one of the 48th St. stores was a beautiful Fodera 5 that looked perfect. I went inside and asked the sales dude if I could check it out and his response was "Can I check out your wallet?" I had the money, but I was so pissed at his snotty attitude that I walked out. I've been wondering what happened to that bass ever since. It was one of the first 5s and it had pickups that looked like they were off a pedal steel guitar. The bass I got instead was a custom that was trouble from the start.
 
#9
Hmm, looks like the "rollno" didn't convey the correct level of sarcasm. I am most assuredly not taken in by this one; just thought it was a little amusing (and I don't follow the Fodera thread, so I didn't see it).

Nothing to see here, folks, except a fairly ridiculous attempt at forging one of the better known (non-Fender) electric bass bodies in existence thanks to Victor. I'm just proud it's in my own backyard. :p
 
#12
This is probably a sample made by an overseas factory who wanted to make imports for Fodera, so they made a few. Everyone here knows and remembers the infamous Kubicki Blaster and Extender, two copies that were actual "prototypes" sent to Fender when Fender was looking at potentially bringing in an import version. Phil nixed it, but the samples did find their way into the hands of players.

Very plausible, however its NOT a Fodera nor sanctioned by Fodera.
 
#13
heres the original description. this has been floating around wa.
"On a side not I should tell you about the history...
Originally the Monarch 4 was built by USA Custom Guitars... I worked there for 5 years... We built the original 60-70 Monarch Bodies and necks for Vinny Fodera... It was their first bolt on trying to keep it under 8 Grand.... I was the one in charge of sanding the bodies and doing the fretboard work... However, at some point our CNC operator Andy left and no one else knew how to run the necks and bodies on the CNC... So I built a custom one for myself... It doen't have the Fodera logo or a serial #.... It's completely custom, and I've had it for years but I'm between jobs and need the cash..."

heres just thumpin's response in the fodera club thread
Based on what I know, and it WAS before my time, there are a lot of liberties in taken in his description. There were 24-36 Monarch Standards that were machined at that shop, however, they were returned to Fodera for final carving, sanding, finishing, etc.

Vinny and Joey historically tried numerous things like this in an effort to help increase production and not be so far behind. At the end of the day none of them ever panned out. It is just impossible to get the same level of quality when you do not control EVERY step of production. That has been one of my main focuses...bringing ALL production in house so that we control everything. By way of example, the E5S will be COMPLETELY built here in Brooklyn and all YYS beginning with #91 on will also be completely Brooklyn born...

Calling a bass put together from parts pulled from a parts bin and calling it a Fodera when it was never even in the Brooklyn Shop and worked on by Joey and Vinny is a pretty large liberty IMHO...

considering what one of those monarch standards goes for when they turn up, i dont think this is too bad of a deal.
 

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