Fodera Anthony Jackson Presentation Model

[ardgedee]

I'm with you. I can't see or hear the appeal. But then again the video posted in this thread is also baffling to me. So I'm definitely not the audience for either the music or the bass.

I still don't understand what can possibly justify the $35,000...sorry, $35,200 price, lol. What's the 200 hundred bucks for?!

You could also ask why electric basses are so cheap. $35k isn't even entry level for a concert quality violin.

It could be a fair price for a bass with a similar level of fit and finish while allowing the luthier to make a living wage. Most custom guitar and bass builders are barely profitable at best.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

What has always appealed to me with regard to Fodera basses is the extremely precise articulation of the notes they produce.
The tone per se is not as distinctive as the tone of other basses, being them boutique instruments or not.
But, for sure, the build’s quality of these basses and their innate articulation make them special instruments.
Whether or not they may be considered overpriced is debatable.
The market makes the price in this case.

 

[gerryjazzman]

One thing to remember is that the presentation bass(s) was to Anthony’s requirements (feel, sound,etc.). I doubt he and Fodera ever cared about a bass that would appeal to the general public. I’m guessing most of the interest is because of its association with AJ as I expect with many other artist signature basses. It’s a one trick pony but in Anthony’s hands is a great trick IMHO.

On a side note, does anyone know what pickup is used? Obviously a dual coil but is it a custom?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Love the tone, appreciate the incredible workmanship, not a fan of the looks, would love to plug one in and play it for myself

 

[perfektspace6]

Sounds nice but man that thing is massive. Tone is also massive and one of the most of articulate sounding B strings I have heard.

 

[frankie5string]

Respectfully, it can’t. It can get a very wonderful tone and I’m sure it is a great bass. This notion runs around a lot and it’s just wrong.

Confirmation bias, much? Remember AJ had that bass designed to get a sound he wanted. It isn't the only bass he has owned over the years that sounded like that.

 

[frankie5string]

One thing to remember is that the presentation bass(s) was to Anthony’s requirements (feel, sound,etc.). I doubt he and Fodera ever cared about a bass that would appeal to the general public. I’m guessing most of the interest is because of its association with AJ as I expect with many other artist signature basses. It’s a one trick pony but in Anthony’s hands is a great trick IMHO.

On a side note, does anyone know what pickup is used? Obviously a dual coil but is it a custom?

Mike Bendy has actually commissioned a Mini-Presentation bass as his signature. It's kind of a mix of the Garrison bass with the Presentation ethos... He seems to like it but he sounds nothing like AJ.

 

[andare]

You could also ask why electric basses are so cheap. $35k isn't even entry level for a concert quality violin.

It could be a fair price for a bass with a similar level of fit and finish while allowing the luthier to make a living wage. Most custom guitar and bass builders are barely profitable at best.

Most boutique guitars retail for 3-6k though. Price of materials plus labor plus margin. I don't think that's crazy. 35k is. The Janek Gwizdala signature bass was "only" 16k. What's so special about the AJ bass to cost double that?

Violins are a totally different instrument, with a totally different market where many pros use ancient vintage instruments and have the money for them. I don't know why they are so expensive. A bow alone can cost several grand. An entry level bassoon is much more complicated to build but is around 6k iirc. It's not a good idea to compare them to guitars, where we have totally different established prices.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

You could also ask why electric basses are so cheap. $35k isn't even entry level for a concert quality violin.

It could be a fair price for a bass with a similar level of fit and finish while allowing the luthier to make a living wage. Most custom guitar and bass builders are barely profitable at best.

I agree.

 

[BassJuju]

Confirmation bias, much? Remember AJ had that bass designed to get a sound he wanted. It isn't the only bass he has owned over the years that sounded like that.

No… experience.

 

[ardgedee]

Most boutique guitars retail for 3-6k though. Price of materials plus labor plus margin. I don't think that's crazy. 35k is. The Janek Gwizdala signature bass was "only" 16k. What's so special about the AJ bass to cost double that?

Violins are a totally different instrument, with a totally different market where many pros use ancient vintage instruments and have the money for them. I don't know why they are so expensive. A bow alone can cost several grand. An entry level bassoon is much more complicated to build but is around 6k iirc. It's not a good idea to compare them to guitars, where we have totally different established prices.

A brand-new concert violin can also easily run into the six digits.

Labor is the biggest cost in luthiery. Many builders making $5k and $6k instruments are just getting by financially unless they're capable of producing maybe 30 instruments or more a year -- in the US, at least, an independent craftsperson is also financially responsible for all their own healthcare expenses and their own pension, so the majority of their take-home pay after shop expenses are to tax, health insurance and retirement, the remainder needing to cover personal expenses like residential rent/mortgage, food, etc. Which is why it's a part-time job for some, others are married to spouses whose employers provide healthcare, or have other ways of covering costs.

And if they're part-timers or personally making 30 instruments a year, they're not going to be going over each one with the detail that Fodera is putting into his presentation-grade basses. And highly unlikely to be doing so with the expertise that Vinny Fodera has.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Well, I didn’t know it costed that much.
If it’s the bass portrayed in the video, personally, I’d gladly pass on it.
But, who knows, I didn’t get a chance to put a finger on it …

 

[frankie5string]

No… experience.

Have you actually played an AJ Presentation? They are a bit of an odd duck, and I don't feel they fit into all styles easily. Dave Swift seemed to agree. Same with the Citron Swallow bass - Similar idea, fairly unique sound, not entirely universal. Don't forget, AJ isn't running them flat - he has used a few different preamps and even a couple different API EQ units with them over the years. Beautiful basses, but definitely in a lane of their own.

 

[BassJuju]

Have you actually played an AJ Presentation? They are a bit of an odd duck, and I don't feel they fit into all styles easily. Dave Swift seemed to agree. Same with the Citron Swallow bass - Similar idea, fairly unique sound, not entirely universal. Don't forget, AJ isn't running them flat - he has used a few different preamps and even a couple different API EQ units with them over the years. Beautiful basses, but definitely in a lane of their own.

Yes, I agree they are different and in a lane of their own. The notion to which I took issue was that a production slab bodied bass could sound the same. It can’t. No more than a fully hollow presentation2 will sound like a slab bass. There are simply things that are in the DNA of our instruments and we should play to each one not diminish the other. I have several slab basses… love their tone for what it is. I have fully hollow basses and love their tone for what it is too.

Lots of tools in the box… we should love them for what they are and enjoy them for the same.

 

[Flaked Beans]

That bass (Anhony Jackson Presentation) costs $20450. But "not available due to supply chain issues". The "hybrid" Anthony Jackson Presentation II costs $35200 but that's another animal.
A.J.Presentation II bass ($35200):

A.J. Presentation bass ($20450, bass on the YouTube video):

I love that signature Anthony Jackson tone and my GP custom contrabass 6 (played it yesterday) sounds pretty close to the OP YouTube bass ! And it is a fully passive 6 string bass as well!

Her it is:

Cheers Doc!

 

[maturanesa]

Its like the sustain is that great that it doesnt thump at all.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That bas (Anhony Jackson Presentation) costs $20450. But "not available due to supply chain issues". The "hybrid" Anthony Jackson Presentation II costs $35200 but that's another animal.
A.J.Presentation II bass ($35200):

A.J. Presentation bass ($20450, bass on the YouTube video):

I love that signature Anthony Jackson tone and my GP custom contrabass 6 (played it yesterday) sounds pretty close to the OP YouTube bass ! And it is a fully passive 6 string bass as well!

Her it is:

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View attachment 5431289

Cheers Doc!

That is one sweet bass!

 

[eottjake]

I honestly don't think it sounds any better than any other "P on steroids" bass. My Schecter Stiletto Studios can get this tone, and with phenomenal B-strings, too...for $700, max.

If the prestige of a Fodera, Alembic, Ritter, etc, sways you to think that it does sound better than the rest, then have at it, but please, at the very least, don't gig one in dive bars. Collect it or invest with it. Unless this is chump change to you. At this price, and for the customer base, it very well could be

I'd rather buy a car or make a down payment on a house.

This is such a bad attitude to have.
Your have a great bass, so you shouldn't share it with the common folks. You should only hold out for "better quality gigs"
Play the bass you have, if it's a 5 figure bass, go for it, don't limit yourself to expectations of other people. Just do your best.
Also, I pay a Ritter every weekend at dive bars. It's my main, and I only bring one bass to gigs. Telling people "don't play one in dive bars" is ignorant.

 

[BazzaBass]

I honestly don't think it sounds any better than any other "P on steroids" bass. My Schecter Stiletto Studios can get this tone, and with phenomenal B-strings, too...for $700, max.

If the prestige of a Fodera, Alembic, Ritter, etc, sways you to think that it does sound better than the rest, then have at it, but please, at the very least, don't gig one in dive bars. Collect it or invest with it. Unless this is chump change to you. At this price, and for the customer base, it very well could be

I'd rather buy a car or make a down payment on a house.

You don’t have to feel threatened and insecure. It’s OK for you to not want one and just be quiet and let those who appreciate these basses talk about them.

 

[Les Fret]

It sounds so much better in Anthony’s hands than in that video. But you can hear the piano like tone of the 36”.

Personally a 36” six string bass with that wide spacing is too much for me on a six string 34” with small spacing between is ideal for a six string for me. Otherwise a six strings becomes too bulky. I also need a volume and treble knob.

If you hear that 36” it’s hard to imagine the sound of 32” six string basses that you see more these days. I guess these will not have the full bodied sound of a 35 of 36” bass.