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Fbass vs Fodera?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by KingRazor, Apr 9, 2012.

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  1. Apr 9, 2012 #1
    KingRazor

    KingRazor

    Jun 4, 2010
    Beaverton, Oregon USA
    These two brands seem pretty similar. What would you say are the main differences between the two?
     
  2. Apr 9, 2012 #2
    nickbass79

    nickbass79

    Nov 11, 2009
    North Carolina
    I personally like the playability and tone way better on the Fodera.
     
  3. Apr 9, 2012 #3
    fivestringdan

    fivestringdan

    Dec 4, 2001
    Canada?
     
  4. Apr 9, 2012 #4
    Bryan R. Tyler

    Bryan R. Tyler TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002 Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    May 3, 2002
    Connecticut
    Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
    Where would you get the idea that they are similar? :eyebrow:

    F Basses, generally, are geared to be jazz basses on steroids, with almost all of them having ash bodies, maple necks and boards, the same body shape (for fretteds), and proprietary electronics/pickups. The cost of a "standard" F Bass is quite reasonable, but options that go out of the ordinary are usually very costly; this is likely to sway buyers into sticking with the known formula that works so well.

    Fodera offers a wide range of body shapes, pickups, electronics, spacings, woods, and just about everything else. There are multiple Fodera "sounds," and even then I wouldn't count on any particular Fodera having that sound as each bass is so customizable.

    Fodera is more about giving the customer exactly what they want. F Bass is more about doing one specific thing extremely well.
     
    lowendrachel likes this.
  5. Apr 9, 2012 #5
    nickbass79

    nickbass79

    Nov 11, 2009
    North Carolina
    Fbass=Ford
    Fodera=Rolls Royce
     
  6. Apr 9, 2012 #6
    smperry

    smperry Administrator Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 3, 2003
    Bay Area, CA
    Agreed 95%, I'm not sure if the cost of an F-Bass is "quite reasonable."


    Ford?!? Respectfully disagree.
     
    scubaduba and Archaeobass like this.
  7. Apr 9, 2012 #7
    nickbass79

    nickbass79

    Nov 11, 2009
    North Carolina
    Well, Ford Mustang Roush
     
  8. Apr 9, 2012 #8
    smperry

    smperry Administrator Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 3, 2003
    Bay Area, CA
    Haha! :)
     
  9. Apr 9, 2012 #9
    Bryan R. Tyler

    Bryan R. Tyler TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002 Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    May 3, 2002
    Connecticut
    Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
    Not sure what an unmodified 5-string F goes for nowadays, but they used to be at around high $2k/low $3k back when I was looking, which I consider reasonable for a handmade bass. They could be crazy amounts more now for all I know though.
     
  10. Apr 9, 2012 #10
    jim777

    jim777 Tarantula Lobbyist

    Aug 7, 2006
    South Jersey
    Yeah, I'm not seeing it honestly.
     
  11. Apr 9, 2012 #11
    KingRazor

    KingRazor

    Jun 4, 2010
    Beaverton, Oregon USA
    And I didn't know most of that, which is why I asked. Thanks!

    The reason I compared the two is because they're both "boutique", and because some of the Fodera models like kind of like F bass models.
     
  12. Apr 9, 2012 #12
    Means2nEnd

    Means2nEnd Supporting Member

    Jun 27, 2010
    Prana Custom Guitars - Mountville PA
    Never heard or played an FBass that I didn't love.

    Never heard or played a Fodera that moved me.

    I am not saying either isn't superbly crafted and yes Fodera offers many more options but the FBass always were almost impossible to put down IMO.
     
    Archaeobass likes this.
  13. Apr 9, 2012 #13
    zortation

    zortation

    Dec 26, 2011
    Toronto, ON
    An Fbass is something you would actually take to a gig.

    :D
     
    iwearpumas likes this.
  14. Apr 9, 2012 #14
    metalstorm

    metalstorm Supporting Member

    Oct 13, 2005
    Calgary, Canada
    The both start with F. Thats about as similar as they are.
     
  15. Apr 9, 2012 #15
    sps500

    sps500 In Memoriam

    May 19, 2008
    Nothing personal but IMHO i favor the F Bass just a tad more....
     
  16. Apr 9, 2012 #16
    Mystic Michael

    Mystic Michael Hip No Ties

    Apr 1, 2004
    New York, NY
    Whenever I think of FBass, I always automatically think of Alain Caron... :cool:

    MM
     
    gebass6 likes this.
  17. Apr 9, 2012 #17
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    Absurd. The F Bass build quality is equal to that of Fodera, and at a lower price point. They are, however, very different basses. F Basses typically have a more aggressive, throaty voice (ala a J on steroids as Bryan said), rich in the low mids. Certainly, wood choice will make a difference (if you're a believer in that) but, generally speaking, I would characterize Foderas as being a little more reserved, perhaps more even across the spectrum.

    More on this when I get my mahogany/koa/ebony Viceroy, which I'm thinking will be more mid-focused than my walnut/maple/ebony Emperor.

    Whichever brand you buy, you will have a first-rate, premium instrument.
     
    kevk, Groove Doctor and shotime like this.
  18. Apr 9, 2012 #18
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    My Fodera is the only bass I play in my trio.
     
  19. Apr 10, 2012 #19
    nostatic

    nostatic Supporting Member

    Jun 18, 2004
    central coast
    Endorsing Artist: FEA Labs
    umm...err...

    koa-hr1.jpg

    hr25.jpg

    hr23.jpg

    hr26.jpg

    hr24.jpg
     
    gebass6 likes this.
  20. Apr 10, 2012 #20
    sps500

    sps500 In Memoriam

    May 19, 2008
    Only because you have you have a matching cap to go with the bass! :)
     
    needlz likes this.
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