-woodyG3 I am looking for a bass with 2 single coils, I like 22-24 fret necks, and I am going to play mostly jazz/freeform jazz on it. I like mahogany, as well as rosewood and ebony for the fingerboard. I also like flamed/quilted maple as the top wood.
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fodera alteratives?
- Thread starter awesomesawyer
- Start date
As affordable alternatives, I'd suggest Valenti, Low End Jazz (the brand), and Stambaugh has done a few Fender type clones. If you really want to nail the sound, might want to consider a Mike Pope preamp.
I really like the finishes and I also like the JXB bass, they could be an option.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
If this is what you want and you say it will be a year before you buy, then you have time to pretty much check out every luthier that makes a bass that fits your above description.
Also, a Ritter Cora would be an option, but I am not sure how much they cost. They probably cost just as much as a fodera! But I really like the looks on them, and they probably sound great.
When considering an alternative to Fodera,,Rbasses are a name that always seem to pop up..
I own the Buckeye Burl 6'er that I obtained from Ottob,,,,
Great sounding and gorgeous bass,,!!
There are at least 2 available right now for sale here on TB,,,
I would've owned the walnut SC 6'er owned by Basskilla,,
But the vacation bills from my July travels are preventing me at this time,,
Check 'em out,,,,,,,Alan,,,,,
I own the Buckeye Burl 6'er that I obtained from Ottob,,,,
Great sounding and gorgeous bass,,!!
There are at least 2 available right now for sale here on TB,,,
I would've owned the walnut SC 6'er owned by Basskilla,,
But the vacation bills from my July travels are preventing me at this time,,
Check 'em out,,,,,,,Alan,,,,,
I own a custom fodera. Ill tell you this, I thought it wasn't worth the money before buying it, but when I played it and really got to learn and get comfortable with the instrument I realized that you really get what you pay for.
I don't know about the nyc line but I heard they are good too.
There is nothing I can complain about my fodera, its essentially the only bass you need (although I also have a P-bass). Of course the only downside the price but I think that if you have the money to spend on one of these basses then go for it.
You gotta be careful with peoples opinion here in TB, many will talk down on a fodera without even owning one. Its different to own one than to try one for 10 minutes, it took me about a week to get used to my fodera and to be comfortable with it and also to tweak with the controls to get the sounds I like.
I don't know about the nyc line but I heard they are good too.
There is nothing I can complain about my fodera, its essentially the only bass you need (although I also have a P-bass). Of course the only downside the price but I think that if you have the money to spend on one of these basses then go for it.
You gotta be careful with peoples opinion here in TB, many will talk down on a fodera without even owning one. Its different to own one than to try one for 10 minutes, it took me about a week to get used to my fodera and to be comfortable with it and also to tweak with the controls to get the sounds I like.
A Fodera is not worth the money if you have to sacrifice essentials to buy one. They definitely are worth the money if you can afford one. I can't think of a single company whose basses are "more well received" by a knowledgeable public than Fodera, although I'm pretty sure the average person who even thinks about basses will use Fender as their measuring stick. Foderas are considered by many to be the top of the heap. No one builds better basses.
Anyway, if you're looking for hand-made custom basses at a lower price point at a similar quality, a few you should consider are F Bass, MTD, Roscoe, Zon, LeCompte and a slew of others that I'm sure will be mentioned here. If you want a high-quality "parts bass," Sadowsky, Lakland, Lull, Valenti, Nordstrand, Alleva-Coppolo and another slew of others fall in that category.
And who decides what a bass is "legitimately worth"?
I don't know where you live or how close a Boutique bass shop is to you. My suggestion would be to go out and play these basses. The way the bass feels in your hands, the string spacing, neck shape, the tone and the look should be your guide. Find the bass that feels right to you and that should be your target bass. It may not be a $2K-$5K bass, it may be far less. Just my humble opinion.
^^^ what he said. You're not looking for a particularly odd build spec so there are a ton of shops that could make you a great instrument. If you really want a Fodera...well, only a Fodera is a Fodera. Some people though think they want one only to find it isn't for them. Really depends on what you want and where you are in your life, both musically and financially. No right or wrong answer. I *love* my Foderas after cycling through a lot of different instruments. But that is me. Everyone is different.
Easy, the TB Price Police
Thanks, munjibunga and jazzkuma, I guess foderas are still an option. So my list of options is currently:
Fodera NYC
Pedulla rapture
Brubaker JXB
Clement classic
Ritter Cora
Fodera NYC
Pedulla rapture
Brubaker JXB
Clement classic
Ritter Cora
If you want a Fodera NYC, you'll have to find a used one. They don't make 'em any more. The new Standard Series basses have sort of replaced them, and they're a step up in my opinion.
You've listed some basses each with its own unique characteristics and with few similarities between them. You should play any brand you plan to buy, because if one of those basses suits your fancy, there's a very good chance that several of the others won't.
You've listed some basses each with its own unique characteristics and with few similarities between them. You should play any brand you plan to buy, because if one of those basses suits your fancy, there's a very good chance that several of the others won't.
Don't worry, I have found one on the internets, from a reputable seller/store. The reason I don't like the new standard models is that th sonly one that comes with J pickups does not have a 4 string model.
If you're not buying it for a year, it's more than likely not going to be there when you're ready to buy...
None of the standards have J pups. The YYS is actually the closest with a PJ setup (4-string). The Emperor standard is dual coils which can cope some of the single coil vibe but don't quite sound like a typical J-bass to my ears.
There is a new Standard model that will be announced in Oct (at BPL I think). No one knows what that spec is though...except the Fodera crew. There was briefly a 4-string JJ Fodera "standard" on eBay from one of their dealers (GTR).
Isn't the Ritter even more expensive than the Fodera?
There is a new Standard model that will be announced in Oct (at BPL I think). No one knows what that spec is though...except the Fodera crew. There was briefly a 4-string JJ Fodera "standard" on eBay from one of their dealers (GTR).
Isn't the Ritter even more expensive than the Fodera?
This thread got me thinking that today there are so many good basses builders out there that you have to be super specific if you want to even get close to a managable number of choices.
- Jun 3, 2009
- 3,330
- 398
- Disclosures
- Bassgearu, Music Industry Consulting and Sales. Tech 21, NBE Corp, Sonosphere.
I'll be the first to defend Vinnie, Jason and the guys at Fodera. Worth every penny. They are basses built to your spec, and they have you to the shop at different stages to make sure you get what you want. You can buy "standard" models at several dealers online, and they are all exceptional basses.
In general, once you buy a boutique bass it normally becomes your regular, near only bass, and for good reason(s):
They do have a feel that is different then what you normally get off the shelf, and usually have exceptional weight and balance, great fretwork, etc.
You have invested in an instrument and you can't stand to see it not get played.
Of the custom makers who are out there, it depends on the body style you like. For example, there is a company called Utrera that debuted a bolt on bass at NAMM that has a very similar feel and shape to the Fodera. Also, there is a company/builder named Edward Mozina in Port St. Lucie who also builds similar.
For something a little more "standard" there is J. Backlund, Mike Lull, Joe Zon, Spector US, Mike Tobias and of course Alleva-Coppola and Roger Sadowsky, just to name a few.
Go with what you desire, and save, slave and die for it. Then, when you have it, you will cherish it even more.
tom
In general, once you buy a boutique bass it normally becomes your regular, near only bass, and for good reason(s):
They do have a feel that is different then what you normally get off the shelf, and usually have exceptional weight and balance, great fretwork, etc.
You have invested in an instrument and you can't stand to see it not get played.
Of the custom makers who are out there, it depends on the body style you like. For example, there is a company called Utrera that debuted a bolt on bass at NAMM that has a very similar feel and shape to the Fodera. Also, there is a company/builder named Edward Mozina in Port St. Lucie who also builds similar.
For something a little more "standard" there is J. Backlund, Mike Lull, Joe Zon, Spector US, Mike Tobias and of course Alleva-Coppola and Roger Sadowsky, just to name a few.
Go with what you desire, and save, slave and die for it. Then, when you have it, you will cherish it even more.
tom
But...do they need defending?
Who has been attacking them?
Is someone pointing at the fact that what you describe is not unique to Fodera being understood as critizism or an attack even?
