Certainly a valid question. I have NOT spent extensive time comprehensively comparing other builders' basses to my Foderas. While many here on TB are still searching for their ultimate tone, I am not. I'm very, very fundamentally happy with my tone and the way my bass plays. Enough to have had the same bass as my only instrument for the last 9 years or so. My new one will be done fairly soon now and the changes I've made aren't earth shattering.
I've played a LOT of Foderas that I've just picked up and not spent a lot of time with. Same is true of other builders' basses. So the comparison is, in fact, apples to apples. The fact is, for me I regularly experience pleasure with almost every Fodera I pick up. And I sporadically experience that same pleasure with many other builders' basses. But there is not one other builder, whose basses consistently offer that experience. And that's what I'm talking about. With Fodera, every bass conveys the notion that it's builder really knew what he was doing, and no other builder's instruments that I've experienced do.
So I'm not just blowing wind. I think the playing field is pretty level here.
If you look at it like a marriage...you meet the right woman and you know it. If you meet a woman you like, but aren't immediately drawn to on some level, why would you feel the need to give here a fair "chance" if you already feel it's not right...unless she's your only option? If you're a grown up, you should know what you want and need. It's not about fairness. It's about a fundamental choice you're making to allow you to express yourself in easiest way possible.
On the other hand...if you do NOT know what you want or need, you should give everything/everyone a chance and see what resonates. But I think that's a much different discussion.
That's my take.
