I don't want to cause anyone grief, but it's become clear that the time has come to defend a concept here. I refer to JoelC73's display of an "Anthony Jackson Presentation 6." This is the way of it: The instrument shown is, yes, a Fodera, and a fine one, as are all Foderas. But it is NOT A PRESENTATION. My concept of this instrument remains, after 21 years, essentially unchanged, allowing , of course, for improvements, of which there have been several. Nevertheless the original intent will not be changed unless and until I decide. Reflect: The Presentation came about as I planned the then-next prototype contrabass guitar, to be number 7, and unnamed. I had grown tired of "Chinese Menu" designs, where bunches of bells-and-whistles are hung onto instruments to appeal to the largest number of players. Same with design compromises: '64 or '71 Jazz pickup spacing? I like '64, but '71's are selling more...then make it '71. I only need one pickup...forget that. Nobody seems to like the 36"scale...but 34 will never do. Players will tolerate 35...not as good as 36, but ***--gotta sell, gotta sell. I decided on trying a design with no features at all, unless I wanted them. So: 36" scale. Period. 28 frets. Period. Six strings. Period. Wide spacing at both ends, including a very wide nut. Period. One pickup only, placed not by measurement, but by my ear alone. No circuit of any kind...passive or active. Nothing. Chambered body. I always sit, so provisions for straps--no. There are a few other feature issues (and a few very small compromises) but you get the point... Except for wood choice, there are NO OPTIONS. Could such an instrument "work" even if it didn't "sell"? The experiment was to see if an instrument could be a more neutral and productive platform if designed by and for only one person, and that was the only goal...which "worked." I expected total disregard from everyone ("nice bass AJ...when are you gonna finish it?"), so the Presentation's popularity has been rewarding...as has its influence ("I want my new bass to have no circuit and no controls, all passive...and singlecut!"). So, for those who desire one of these instruments, remember that the "personalist-minimalist" design concept is essential...and mandatory. Vinnie Fodera himself suggested that the instrument shown here could be called "Presentation-bodied Monarch (or Emperor, or whatever)". Sorry for having to be so anal, but all Foderaphiles understand, I'm sure, the need to respect this very small (total of 4 people) company's reputation for outstanding and forward-thinking work. Nobody else would have attempted such a seemingly irresponsible project...especially one from that flaky rocket designer Anthony Jackson. Remember, I gave Vinnie a potential problem to solve: the prototype necks were getting longer and wider. For stability-insurance I requested a siffer neck, without graphite. His solution was the extended single cutaway, coincidentally resulting in one of the most beautiful guitars in the instrument's very long history. There is no one else like him, and he will take his place alongside the great luthiers such as Torres and Ramirez. In the meantime please respect my own wishes, made possible only by this company, which was fully aware that it would never sell more than a very few of these instruments. I am first a performing artist, but after that somebody with a 43-year-old "instrument dream", now realized, that I will not willingly see compromised. Fodera fully supports this view.
I hope so, but as I've told you before, whatever it is you truly want, never give up what you want most for what you want now.
