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Fodera announces 40th Anniversary basses

Oh yes, I know for certain that I'll never own one of these. I would just stress too much about the inevitable dings and dents I would put in it. I'm comfortable with mid-high tier workhorse instruments, nice to play but not so nice I can't enjoy them without worrying about damage.
I was patient and got one in perfect shape in the classifieds here for just over $3k, which is better than Fender Custom Shop prices. I can't spare change for a new one, but they're out there used and people seem to take good care of them.

Here's mine:
0057FC3A-355B-44EF-99B3-70BC5383147A.jpeg

I didn't gig it for a while, but it sounds and plays the best of all my basses, and I did get it to play, not just ogle, so it goes with me now.
 
I'm surprised they didn't commemorate the occasion by pricing them at $40,000. ;)

Beautiful basses, for the record. I also don't think the price is that out of line with industry standards. Honestly, Fodera just seems more affordable now that many other manufacturers have entered the $10,000~ range.
 
They've always looked like really expensive Ibanez's to me...
I've played a lot of Ibanez basses and a couple Foderas, and there's no question that the Foderas feel better in the hands, at least to me. Sound wise I don't think there's a big advantage either way, and there's no way in heck I would spend that much money on a bass, but Foderas have a huge waiting list for a reason.
 
My Tune wasn't shabby when played against a Fodera (not sure what series it was but it had a gorgeous top ) that an acquaintance had. Mine was just a plain ash body but the ebony on my mine looked tighter grain-wise. Of course my neck was played in

They both had Pope pre-amps. I had Delano quad coil on mine plus it was a 36 scale. My bragging rights and looks score was like a 2 versus the Fodera's 10, but like Jimmy said, it did not sound any better.

And yes I cannot afford them.
 
I was patient and got one in perfect shape in the classifieds here for just over $3k, which is better than Fender Custom Shop prices. I can't spare change for a new one, but they're out there used and people seem to take good care of them.

Here's mine:
View attachment 5005845
I didn't gig it for a while, but it sounds and plays the best of all my basses, and I did get it to play, not just ogle, so it goes with me now.
I have the same bass and it's amazing. I just got a stacked mid control from Trickfish and it's really cool to be able to just change a pot and have another band of EQ! And each frequency center has essentially 3 settings with the jumpers if you use zero, one, or two jumpers. A pretty cheap mod too, total with knobs is about fifty bucks.
 
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We made it 0 posts into this Fodera thread before money/worth came up.

Par for the course.

I agree with some others that they should be Monarchs. Emperor was a strange choice.
That's good old TB, for you.

For some reason, people seem to have the necessity to bash on premium brands. Some of the ones who do it, probably have 10 basses of 1k each. Go figure.
 
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Is the Emperor shape older than the Monarch?

The Monarch to me is synonymous with Fodera, so interesting they chose this body shape to celebrate an anniversary.
It seems like they've combined a lot of different shapes from the last 40 years. That big 4-string headstock is from early on while the Emperor body is more recent. Must be more of a representation of through the years. I really dig it… especially that 4.
 
That's good old TB, for you.

For some reason, people seem to have the necessity to bash on premium brands. Some of the ones who do it, probably have 10 basses of 1k each. Go figure.
OP here. My original intention wasn't to bash. I've owned 2 Foderas and they're amazing. Just starting a discussion. I secretly think I was hoping someone would talk me down, because knowing me, I'll probably end up with that 4-string. :rollno: