Club Fbass (thread 13)

[wthompson007]

It would seem to me that people ordering custom instruments would be so nerotic and impatient, especially on a 9-10-11 month wait. I definitely am. Charging an ungodly amount for a “rush fee” would seem like a great way to make a butt load more money...
but heck. I have no clue what I’m talking about

I know there are a lot of wealthy people on this thread that might consider paying a huge 'rush fee'. As for me, I'm just a regular guy that had to sell almost all my other bases, as well as break open a couple piggy banks to finance my Fbass arsenal. The thought of having to wait maybe twice as long while they built basses for the wealthy first would be pretty tough to stomach. But that's just me.

 

[BassJuju]

I know there are a lot of wealthy people on this thread that might consider paying a huge 'rush fee'. As for me, I'm just a regular guy that had to sell almost all my other bases, as well as break open a couple piggy banks to finance my Fbass arsenal. The thought of having to wait maybe twice as long while they built basses for the wealthy first would be pretty tough to stomach. But that's just me.

Besides... good things come to those who wait. Or, buy the ones that are in stock. I'm an only child and I know I could never stand the wait. So, I look for the ones in stock. Having said that, this green bass has got me drooling. It's so gorgeous. Then there are the blue ones... the red ones... well, all of them! I must wait for the AC6... I must wait for the AC6... I must wait for the AC6... I must wait for the AC6...

seriously, I doubt that they would ever do that even if they could. There are just somethings that can't be rushed and I think this is one of them.

 

[pbass6811]

I know there are a lot of wealthy people on this thread that might consider paying a huge 'rush fee'. As for me, I'm just a regular guy that had to sell almost all my other bases, as well as break open a couple piggy banks to finance my Fbass arsenal. The thought of having to wait maybe twice as long while they built basses for the wealthy first would be pretty tough to stomach. But that's just me.

Agreed. I probably made enough financial missteps to give Dave Ramsey a heart attack in order to finance my first FBass. LOL! My 2nd FBass was paid for by some gear sales, but #3 will probably get me tossed out of the Christmas Savers club. I'd probably be a bit salty if my build kept getting pushed back because the rich guys didn't wanna wait. OTOH, all of our builds probably take a backseat to any famous guy who calls up and says "Hey, I need this for an upcoming tour...", so I guess it's a matter of perspective.

It's also kind of amusing to think that Mr. Rich Guy paid a yacht's worth of money for something he could've got for a sailboat's worth of money, had he been more patient. Makes one wonder how he came to be rich in the first place...;-)

Besides... good things come to those who wait. Or, buy the ones that are in stock. I'm an only child and I know I could never stand the wait. So, I look for the ones in stock. Having said that, this green bass has got me drooling. It's so gorgeous. Then there are the blue ones... the red ones... well, all of them! I must wait for the AC6... I must wait for the AC6... I must wait for the AC6... I must wait for the AC6...

seriously, I doubt that they would ever do that even if they could. There are just somethings that can't be rushed and I think this is one of them.

I agree with this as well. FBass doesn't seem like the kind of company that would rush what they do just to make some rich guy happy. They have a process that results in a world-class piece of functional art, why rush it and take a chance on putting out something that might not meet their standards.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I know there are a lot of wealthy people on this thread that might consider paying a huge 'rush fee'. As for me, I'm just a regular guy that had to sell almost all my other bases, as well as break open a couple piggy banks to finance my Fbass arsenal. The thought of having to wait maybe twice as long while they built basses for the wealthy first would be pretty tough to stomach. But that's just me.

I'm in the same category. Upon placing an order, I try to budget the remainder of the payments but it's never easy. LOL Especially with my upcoming Fodera E6S since I'm sending USD, and the bank has really been enjoying charging transfer and currency exchange fees, which in turn reduces each payment sent.

Besides... good things come to those who wait...

This is the mindset I try to keep. I know the end product will be a high quality.

 

[TheMartianBassist]

excuse me if this is common knowledge, but this is pure genius to me!
Routed for both J and PJ! Just change pickguard accordingly and you can’t tell the difference!
Genius!

 

[nonohmic]

That matte black BN4 on reverb right now has me GASing hard.

 

[pbass6811]

That matte black BN4 on reverb right now has me GASing hard.

I know, right?! I was eyeing that one as well, but I gotta stay on task. They're gonna stop making BNF's at the end of the year, so I gotta focus on a BNF5 before a VF4/PJ...

Ok, so I really hate posting videos of myself because A) I'm old, fat, and not very pretty and B)I'm excessively mediocre when it comes to playing bass. I watch all the videos that other people have posted of my band and I feel like I don't deserve the gear I have. Having said that, and being a believer that you can use any bass for any style of music, I was curious about anyone using an FBass for rock. I saw, and completely dig, some of @Dave Hill stuff, but not a whole lot else. So, against my better judgement, I'm posting a video in case anyone else wonder's what an FBass sounds like in a rock setting. It's a live, raw video. The Zoom Q8 was just barely a couple of feet from my rig. Please ignore me and just focus on the sound. Might be best just to close your eyes and listen...

 

[Tom7]

I got this interesting email (spam) from Fodera today, which makes me wonder how other bass makers will respond:

An Important Message About CITES & Indian Rosewood
Dear Fodera friends and customers,

You are most likely familiar with CITES, and their relation to the instrument manufacturing world. If you are not, CITES is an international agreement that regulates the international trade of endangered and threatened animals and plants. Most specifically to Fodera, CITES has regulated the trade of Brazilian Rosewood, Amazon Rosewood, and Madagascar Kingwood for many years. As of January 2017, CITES has expanded its list of regulated Rosewoods to include Indian Rosewood as well, something which has caused a lot of issues in the guitar and bass industry, as well as other industries that deal in exotic woods.

Because CITES now encompasses Indian Rosewood, we can no longer offer it as a no-charge fingerboard option. Here is what you need to know:

• Beginning May 1st, 2018, Indian Rosewood will be a $150 option on any new instrument orders for both Custom and Standard instruments.
• Pau Ferro will now be the default option for our Standard Classic basses and guitars as well as our Monarch P. It will continue to be a no-charge fingerboard option on Custom instruments.
• This will NOT effect any pricing for instruments already ordered, or ordered BEFORE May 1st, 2018.

Since our new pricing for Indian Rosewood goes into effect on May 1st, April is the last chance to order instruments with Rosewood fingerboards before the pricing changes. Additionally, our dealers are currently taking orders for Standard instruments which will be shipping roughly between July and October 2018.

 

[Tom7]

I know, right?! I was eyeing that one as well, but I gotta stay on task. They're gonna stop making BNF's at the end of the year, so I gotta focus on a BNF5 before a VF4/PJ...

Ok, so I really hate posting videos of myself because A) I'm old, fat, and not very pretty and B)I'm excessively mediocre when it comes to playing bass. I watch all the videos that other people have posted of my band and I feel like I don't deserve the gear I have. Having said that, and being a believer that you can use any bass for any style of music, I was curious about anyone using an FBass for rock. I saw, and completely dig, some of @Dave Hill stuff, but not a whole lot else. So, against my better judgement, I'm posting a video in case anyone else wonder's what an FBass sounds like in a rock setting. It's a live, raw video. The Zoom Q8 was just barely a couple of feet from my rig. Please ignore me and just focus on the sound. Might be best just to close your eyes and listen...

Like you, I'm self conscience about posting myself playing as well, and for the same reasons you stated, but I *loved* this video!

I know your Zoom Q8 was close to your rig, but again, I like that too. I feel like I'm getting to enjoy that tone much more than I normally.

I like how you used chords to close out the first song; very tasty.

Am I seeing things correctly? It looks like most of the time you use the bridge pickup as a thumb rest, and tend to pluck in the space between the pickups, is that right?

Then you switch to pluck over the bridge pickup for a burpier tone, using the bridge pickup for a thumb rest.

Regardless, I like the tone you get has you pluck; you dig in and give the notes a really nice, dark grindy sound. And I like how you change it up mid song to be more expressive.

And of course that string stroking the second song... very cool.

I really like your playing, and I'm not just saying this. I'd say the same to friends if you would never heard it.

 

[bass08053]

I got this interesting email (spam) from Fodera today, which makes me wonder how other bass makers will respond:

An Important Message About CITES & Indian Rosewood
Dear Fodera friends and customers,

You are most likely familiar with CITES, and their relation to the instrument manufacturing world. If you are not, CITES is an international agreement that regulates the international trade of endangered and threatened animals and plants. Most specifically to Fodera, CITES has regulated the trade of Brazilian Rosewood, Amazon Rosewood, and Madagascar Kingwood for many years. As of January 2017, CITES has expanded its list of regulated Rosewoods to include Indian Rosewood as well, something which has caused a lot of issues in the guitar and bass industry, as well as other industries that deal in exotic woods.

Because CITES now encompasses Indian Rosewood, we can no longer offer it as a no-charge fingerboard option. Here is what you need to know:

• Beginning May 1st, 2018, Indian Rosewood will be a $150 option on any new instrument orders for both Custom and Standard instruments.
• Pau Ferro will now be the default option for our Standard Classic basses and guitars as well as our Monarch P. It will continue to be a no-charge fingerboard option on Custom instruments.
• This will NOT effect any pricing for instruments already ordered, or ordered BEFORE May 1st, 2018.

Since our new pricing for Indian Rosewood goes into effect on May 1st, April is the last chance to order instruments with Rosewood fingerboards before the pricing changes. Additionally, our dealers are currently taking orders for Standard instruments which will be shipping roughly between July and October 2018.

Watch the influx of orders coming in this week for $10,000 Foderas to save $150.

 

[Tom7]

Watch the influx of orders coming in this week for $10,000 Foderas to save $150.

Chuckle.

 

[TolerancEJ]

@Tom7 I got the same email from Fodera. It’s not spam; it’s their mailing list. You can opt out anytime.

I couldn’t afford any fully custom jobs at Fodera. I will just barely squeak by with my E6S which should be due soon (May?). I’m starting to think the E6S will arrive before my VF6.

 

[Dave Hill]

I know, right?! I was eyeing that one as well, but I gotta stay on task. They're gonna stop making BNF's at the end of the year, so I gotta focus on a BNF5 before a VF4/PJ...

Ok, so I really hate posting videos of myself because A) I'm old, fat, and not very pretty and B)I'm excessively mediocre when it comes to playing bass. I watch all the videos that other people have posted of my band and I feel like I don't deserve the gear I have. Having said that, and being a believer that you can use any bass for any style of music, I was curious about anyone using an FBass for rock. I saw, and completely dig, some of @Dave Hill stuff, but not a whole lot else. So, against my better judgement, I'm posting a video in case anyone else wonder's what an FBass sounds like in a rock setting. It's a live, raw video. The Zoom Q8 was just barely a couple of feet from my rig. Please ignore me and just focus on the sound. Might be best just to close your eyes and listen...

Nice vid! Glad my age and mediocre playing inspired you to post. Lol.

Tone is great...balanced, clear, and fits the mix. My Fbass has more of a “classic Fender” tone than my new Sadowsky that looks just like a Fender.

Seriously, I doubt anyone at Fbass wants my farty tone representing their bass in ANY type of music.

 

[pbass6811]

Like you, I'm self conscience about posting myself playing as well, and for the same reasons you stated, but I *loved* this video!

I know your Zoom Q8 was close to your rig, but again, I like that too. I feel like I'm getting to enjoy that tone much more than I normally.

I like how you used chords to close out the first song; very tasty.

Am I seeing things correctly? It looks like most of the time you use the bridge pickup as a thumb rest, and tend to pluck in the space between the pickups, is that right?

Then you switch to pluck over the bridge pickup for a burpier tone, using the bridge pickup for a thumb rest.

Regardless, I like the tone you get has you pluck; you dig in and give the notes a really nice, dark grindy sound. And I like how you change it up mid song to be more expressive.

And of course that string stroking the second song... very cool.

I really like your playing, and I'm not just saying this. I'd say the same to friends if you would never heard it.

I certainly appreciate the kind words. It means a lot, thank you. It's somewhat of an illusion, I usually rest my thumb on the edge of the neck pup, and sometimes my hand will curl and I'll pluck between the pups. If it's something that requires a bit more speed, I'll try to use the floating thumb as well. I usually try to move my playing position to change up my tone.

Again, thank you...

 

[BassJuju]

It’s easy to get wrapped up in Fodera, but the truth is, I’ll take another F Bass before I spend that much on anything else. They are pretty... not as pretty as an AC6.

 

[pbass6811]

Nice vid! Glad my age and mediocre playing inspired you to post. Lol.

Tone is great...balanced, clear, and fits the mix. My Fbass has more of a “classic Fender” tone than my new Sadowsky that looks just like a Fender.

Seriously, I doubt anyone at Fbass wants my farty tone representing their bass in ANY type of music.

Whatever, dude. I LOVE your band and I dig your sound! I appreciate the compliments.

We've set a timeframe to get together and start writing again. We play so much, and we're always trying to add new songs, that the original stuff gets pushed to the back burner. That's our problem, we like to eat and buy stuff, and Nickelback covers pay for food and stuff...it's a shame.

 

[pbass6811]

It’s easy to get wrapped in Fodera, but the truth is, I’ll take another F Bass before I spend that on anyth8ng else. They are pretty... not as pretty as an AC6.

It's funny you mentioned that. I just got a CLI on my Sweetwater card, and I was thinking that, maybe, I could swing a Yin-Yang Standard 4. It's already got the P/J setup, my favorite-black hardware, and my other favorite-ebony fretboard, but then I started comparing side-by-sides of the YYS and VF/BN and it quickly became apparent to me that the lines of the FBass were a bit more pleasing to me. Don't get me wrong, I think Foderas are amazing, and if I could get a Yin-Yang Emperor Standard instead of a Monarch, maybe we'd have something, but the lines on FBasses just seem to flow better, plus they are slightly less expensive...LOL!

 

[jim nolte]

Nice vid! Glad my age and mediocre playing inspired you to post. Lol.

Tone is great...balanced, clear, and fits the mix. My Fbass has more of a “classic Fender” tone than my new Sadowsky that looks just like a Fender.

Seriously, I doubt anyone at Fbass wants my farty tone representing their bass in ANY type of music.

Hey Dave question for you, is your Sadowsky a 5 string, if it is how would you compare the neck to your BN5 especially front to back thickness? I've been eying the Metro Express new line, would love to get a VF but no $, but I'm a little concerned about the wider nut on the Sad, I've had some tendonitis issues with wider than 1.75 on 5 string necks. Thanks, Jim

 

[Dave Hill]

Hey Dave question for you, is your Sadowsky a 5 string, if it is how would you compare the neck to your BN5 especially front to back thickness? I've been eying the Metro Express new line, would love to get a VF but no $, but I'm a little concerned about the wider nut on the Sad, I've had some tendonitis issues with wider than 1.75 on 5 string necks. Thanks, Jim

My Sadowsky is a 4.
When I bought my BN5, back in 2003, I bought a Metro MV5 at the same time in order to see which I’d like better (sold the metro). Anyway, the MV5 definitely had a fatter neck in every way. I remember it had more shoulder than the Fbass neck, which for me, is the perfect shape. That said, I believe the NYC basses have a more svelte neck carve than the Metros. I’m not sure about the Expresses.

 

[jim nolte]

My Sadowsky is a 4.
When I bought my BN5, back in 2003, I bought a Metro MV5 at the same time in order to see which I’d like better (sold the metro). Anyway, the MV5 definitely had a fatter neck in every way. I remember it had more shoulder than the Fbass neck, which for me, is the perfect shape. That said, I believe the NYC basses have a more svelte neck carve than the Metros. I’m not sure about the Expresses.

I think the Express has the same neck profile as the regular Metro, it's a just a more basic version of it with no options and limited colors. If it's wider at the nut and thicker than my BN5 it's not going to work for me, thanks