thats what I was worried about... I was not sure how much they costed, so I just put it on there in case. thanks for clarifying though.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
fodera alteratives?
- Thread starter awesomesawyer
- Start date
thats what I was worried about... I was not sure how much they costed, so I just put it on there in case. thanks for clarifying though.
No, they don't need defending. Their basses speak for themselves.
Plenty of people love to trot out the "can't be worth the money" horse for a few trips around the track. Search for any thread where Fodera is mentioned and you'll see it. Often the criticism is from people who have never played, let alone owned, a Fodera. Kind of a hobby for some on TB
Same price as Fodera?
If so, you should have a lot more money in your bank account Tom!
The number of luthiers that could build a bass to these specs is overwhelming. You could add Sadowsky, Valenti, FBass, Xotic, Low End Jazz, Sandberg, Alleva Coppolo and on and on and on. I think step one for you would be pinning down the rest of your spec. At the level you are talking about (Ritter, Fodera, Pedulla) they are all fantastic basses and it comes down to personal choice more than anything.
I was assuming that he wanted a jazz clone too. But when Ritter gets mentioned as a possibility then it REALLY expands the list of possibilities when a pair of single coils, mahogany body, rosewood or ebony fingerboard, flamed/quilted maple top and 22-24 frets are the only criteria. Almost all luthiers/custom bass builders will be able to build something to fit those specs.
The only person that should be concerned with whether your bass is worth what you paid for it is you. How many people who have OWNED Foderas say they aren't worth the money vs random people on the internet who have either not played them or have limited exposure to them? That's an important distinction. There is nothing wrong with someone feeling that any product is overpriced, but their opinion carries a lot more weight if they actually have significant experience with that product whether it's a phone, a car, a bass or anything else.
With the money you're talking about you should find a way to play the instruments on your list rather than looking for opinions online about what is the best because again that's highly subjective. The bass that feels and sounds best to you is the one that your money should be spent on.
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?
Defending against the notion (as articulated in the OP) that Fodera's are overpriced or not worth the money.
They are expensive basses. That is a fact. Whether they are overpriced is a matter of opinion and open for discussion/argument.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
OP... what are you playing now just out of curiosity?
I imagine you need to be already playing a killer bass in order to feel the need to take the next step up to boutique builder.
I imagine you need to be already playing a killer bass in order to feel the need to take the next step up to boutique builder.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
There are people out there who are experienced and have played their share of Fodera's and still think they are over priced. And that is their opinion.
To the OP, if you can pay a visit the the upcoming 2013 winter NAMM show in Aneheim Cali. There you will have the opportunity to play pretty much every bass you have heard of and many many more.
It all comes down to how a bass speaks to you.
To the OP, if you can pay a visit the the upcoming 2013 winter NAMM show in Aneheim Cali. There you will have the opportunity to play pretty much every bass you have heard of and many many more.
It all comes down to how a bass speaks to you.
Now Sir, you are stating the obvious.
Nothing's "right" for everyone.
Would you pay a lot of money for something you thought wasn't "right" for you?
I am currently playing a standard jazz bass, (nothing special) But I have played VERY many basses in stores and I hope for my next instrument to be a high end one.
woah, thanks for the opinions! i have had lots of great posts, and this has been really helpful so far. thanks!
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
Now Sir, you are stating the obvious.
Nothing's "right" for everyone.
Would you pay a lot of money for something you thought wasn't "right" for you?
Obvious yes. My comment was made because some people think that every one who doesn't like a Fodera for what ever reason just don't get it.
It's almost like people who play a Fodera should automatically like it because it's a Fodera.
And For the record I'm not bashing Fodera, I own a 5 string Imperial.
Fodera is a big name company with a few big time players, which increases the demand for the product. Simply put, there are a few really talented independent builders who simply have a much lower overhead that can afford to produce really nice basses for less dough.
I'm not bashing Fodera. I'd gladly order one if I had more $ and/or if I weren't such a gear whore.
I certainly don't think that. In fact I've sold a few Foderas that really didn't send me.
TB has two phenomenons that are constant. First are fanbois who will gladly proclaim that the brand they own rules and all else drools. The second are those that claim something "sux" or is over-price/over-rated, yet their opinion is based on something along the lines of "I once touched one that my cousin's friend had..."
After all it is the interwebs...where everyone is 6'4", brutally handsome, and plays like Jaco.
I'm 5'6", 120lbs, ugly as sin, and a little rusty at the moment due to the 4 years I wasn't in a band.
sounds like you are looking for a really good J bass. There are tons that are on par with a $3000 - $3500 Fodera NYC.
Sadowsky
Avella Coppolo
Rudy Pensa
Xotic
Lakland
Just to name a few. I guarantee you that none of these basses will let you down in any way, shape or form.
Sadowsky
Avella Coppolo
Rudy Pensa
Xotic
Lakland
Just to name a few. I guarantee you that none of these basses will let you down in any way, shape or form.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
Like I said some people. And I'm sure you can agree that some people really do feel about Fodera as I mentioned.
that is basically what I want except the body shape doesnt have to be exactly the same, and I really want some sort of flamed/quilted maple top. That would be my dream instrument, and some of these come very close to that.
