Fodera Club Part II

[Just Thumpin']

First of all, we are fairly agnostic in terms of which PUPs people use on their basses as over the years, all of the designs that were co-developed with the major PUP makers have had positive attributes. We always want to be able to present a range of tonal options so that players can decide for themselves what sounds right to them...

Secondly, there are positive and negative aspects associated with sourcing from big shops and small shops. Over the years Fodera has worked with shops across the size spectrum and in several cases, with shops that started out small and then became large...

 

[Tom7]

Why?

You'll probably think my reasoning is silly and irrational, and I wouldn't argue otherwise, but I would want the Fodera pickups in my new Fodera bass because for me, that would be a HUGE part of what would make my Fodera a true Fordera.

For instance, when I bought a Nordy, I got it with the Audere preamp. Except for the control layout, I LOVE that preamp, but when Nordstrand came out with his own preamp, I wished my Nordy had it.

Likewise, when I bought my Alleva Coppolo, it had an Aguilar preamp which I had changed to the Coppolo preamp before it shipped to me.

And when I get a Sadwosky, I definitely want a Sadowsky preamp in it.

I wouldn't get an Fbass and put a Sadowsky preamp in it, because I'd want the F to sound like an F, an F the way George intended for it to sound.

Similarly, I would want my Fodera to have Fodera pickups, the pope preamp, etc., and be just what Fodera meant for a Fodera to sound like.

Again, that might not be all that rational given how great other pickup choices are as well, but I'm just the kind of guy who'd pass on Lindsay Lohan and hold out for the real Marilyn Monroe whenever possible.

For me, it would be Fodera all the way, just as Fodera intended their basses to sound and play.

 

[narud]

You'll probably thinking my reasoning is silly and irrational, and I wouldn't argue otherwise, but I would want the Fodera pickups in my new Fodera bass because for me, that would be a HUGE part of what would make my Fodera a true Fordera.

For instance, when I bought a Nordy, I got it with the Audere preamp. Except for the control layout, I LOVE that preamp, but when Nordstrand came out with his own preamp, I wished my Nordy had it.

Likewise, when I bought my Alleva Coppolo, it had an Aguilar preamp which I had changed to the Coppolo preamp before it shipped to me.

And when I get a Sadwosky, I definitely want a Sadowsky preamp in it.

I wouldn't get an Fbass and put a Sadowsky preamp in it, because I'd want the F to sound like an F, an F the way George intended for it to sound.

Similarly, I would want my Fodera to have Fodera pickups, the pope preamp, etc., and be just what Fodera meant for a Fodera to sound like.

Again, that might not be all that rational given how great other pickup choices are as well, but I'm just the kind of guy who'd pass on Lindsay Lohan and hold out for the real Marilyn Monroe whenever possible.

For me, it would be Fodera all the way, just as Fodera intended their basses to sound and play.

unless im understanding something wrong though, it sounds like theyre doing the same thing with these pickups that they did with duncan and aero. collaborate on a design and have the pickup builder make them. guys like carey,jimmy, and george wind their pickups in house.

 

[chris.gotfunk]

That is an interesting point you make. I like it. And I agree with it! For me, I cannot hear a Fodera and say.... "that is a Fodera!". To me, having their own pups and hopefully carving in their own sound will close the loop on one of the best bass building companies of this era.

When you hear an MTD, Smith, etc... you know what they are. To me, Fodera as a whole does not have their own sound. I will admit, you can pretty much pick out a Monarch 4 with EMG PJ's being slapped. Those are very distinct. The other stuff, not so much.

Anyway. I think this is a really great move on their part. Kudos to Fodera for making this step. I am sure the pups will probably sound very similar to the Duncan's or Aero's before them, but it is a good step. I trust Joey's ear and know they will make this a positive move on their part.

 

[chris.gotfunk]

Oh yeah, any update on the future of the NYC's?

 

[thepontif]

Off topic...anybody tried the Dyson Animal Ball vacuum? The thing freakin' rocks. Just got one for my wife and now all I want to do is vacuum the house all the time.

 

[J. Crawford]

Off topic...anybody tried the Dyson Animal Ball vacuum? The thing freakin' rocks. Just got one for my wife and now all I want to do is vacuum the house all the time.

I have the "unball" one.. I like it, but its not as cool as a ball.

 

[rb1]

Off topic...anybody tried the Dyson Animal Ball vacuum?

Wow, pontif! That is SO far off topic, you made my head spin!

 

[steubig]

That is an interesting point you make. I like it. And I agree with it! For me, I cannot hear a Fodera and say.... "that is a Fodera!". To me, having their own pups and hopefully carving in their own sound will close the loop on one of the best bass building companies of this era.

When you hear an MTD, Smith, etc... you know what they are. To me, Fodera as a whole does not have their own sound. I will admit, you can pretty much pick out a Monarch 4 with EMG PJ's being slapped. Those are very distinct. The other stuff, not so much.

this is sort of an interesting issue. in one way, basses having their "own signature sound" could be considered to be a liability.

conceivably one could say that a musicman sounds only like it does, as does a fender—and never shall the twain meet. (for what it's worth, i haven't really felt like the MTD stuff i heard had anything remarkable that set it apart from a lot of other basses—not to say it didn't sound good, it did. the older smith stuff did have a sound; don't know about the new stuff.)

my guess is that a lot of guys are happy with the way their foderas sound—despite them not having what you hear as a "signature sound." (not trying to be snide here.)

maybe their fodera basses allow them to sound the way *they want to*, without being forced into a cookie-cutter mold that a signature sound might imply . . . dunno.

if you consider the idea that fodera basses are supposed to be somewhat custom, being able to choose the pickups *you* want, as opposed to the pickups the maker exclusively uses, could be considered to be an advantage.

the last fodera i had made (received just two weeks ago) had two rick turner series one pickups in a reverse p configuration. further, none of my fodera basses have the proprietary duncan or aero stuff that most fodera basses of the last few years have. (they used to have barts or emg stuff from the 80/90s before.)

i see fodera having a new pickup on the menu to be an added custom choice, not a deal-maker or deal-breaker.

 

[jakkkk]

We rock it old school with the Animal DC14. I love emptying the canister...

 

[chris.gotfunk]

this is sort of an interesting issue. in one way, basses having their "own signature sound" could be considered to be a liability.

conceivably one could say that a musicman sounds only like it does, as does a fender—and never shall the twain meet. (for what it's worth, i haven't really felt like the MTD stuff i heard had anything remarkable that set it apart from a lot of other basses—not to say it didn't sound good, it did. the older smith stuff did have a sound; don't know about the new stuff.)

my guess is that a lot of guys are happy with the way their foderas sound—despite them not having what you hear as a "signature sound." (not trying to be snide here.)

Very good point. I guess I was assuming Fodera and their players want to have their own unique sound. You also make a very good point in it being a liability. I never thought of that angle either. (Good thing I don't build basses or consult for luthiers)

Of course, all of this is coming from a guy who bought a Sadowsky (signature sound.... I don't think so). So, what do I know?

I do think they should still give the option to have the Duncan's, Aero's, EMG's... I think it is worth a trip up to NY to see Joey and the crew and take the new pups for a test drive.

 

[steubig]

Very good point. I guess I was assuming Fodera and their players want to have their own unique sound. You also make a very good point in it being a liability. I never thought of that angle either. (Good thing I don't build basses or consult for luthiers)

Of course, all of this is coming from a guy who bought a Sadowsky (signature sound.... I don't think so). So, what do I know?

I do think they should still give the option to have the Duncan's, Aero's, EMG's... I think it is worth a trip up to NY to see Joey and the crew and take the new pups for a test drive.

mostly it was just musing. i don't really know other people's motivations or wants/needs. and one person's feature can be another person's flaw . . .

i guess my point is that the player supplies the unique sound, not necessarily the pickups. (can you have a uniquely personal sound with an instrument that has only *its* sound?)

i think the fodera dudes can give people pretty good advice about wood and electronics combos to get the sounds they want from their instruments.

and really, you change out pickups fairly easily these days, ya know?

i got my first fodera in 1985 and i've gone through four different sets of pickups as technology got better (in '85 who was making pickups for 6-string basses? basically no one) and i changed my mind about what i needed. we're kind of living in a golden age of this stuff, imho.

 

[emjazz]

I'm with Steuart on this one. Honestly, except for very identifiable sounding basses like AJ's Fodera or Steve Swallow's Citron, I consider most modern fretted electric basses to sound quite similar. How many people would have known that Bona had EMG's put into his bass to replace the Barts if you hadn't seen the change visually. You may have noticed a difference but it's not what you're listening for, you're listening to the player. As a player, I'm distracted when I have to play a bass that I'm not used to, that isn't a well made, great sounding instrument with an amazing setup. If I had three basses with different woods/pickups/preamps but with similar specs (scale length/string width, number of strings) than you'd hear me playing them, not necessarily the different sounds. For that matter, I'd probably find a way instinctly to get them all to sound similar with my hands. I as the player will notice the differences but the listener, even another musician, won't be listening for that. My point is, build me a really well built instrument in the general direction tonally that I want and I'll do the rest, regardless of the pickups/preamp etc.....and, I don't want a bass with a signature sound, I want one that I can discover my own sound with.

 

[Dinus]

Aging for 50years? Amazing..
IS it standard (no upcharge) or option (upcharge)?

Limba is sonically close to Mahogany, AFAIK. Its lightweight, and very resonant. I can't directly compare walnut vs Limba....the only Walnut bass I've had is an old Monarch, which is SO different. This piece of Limba in particular had been aging for 50 years when Joey bought it, 20 years ago! It resonates right through my body when I play...really nice. This Imperial has a HUGE sound...great punch and growl, but also a piano-like quality....with a wonderful timbre, amazing seperation of notes, and an ultra-wide frequency response. Its SO responsive to players touch and dynamics...and also, for me, one of the easiest playing basses I've had. Fits me perfect, I guess.

Aloha, Garey

 

[Munjibunga]

I guess I can join up now. This one's on order.

Emperor 5 Deluxe
Walnut body, chambered
Spalted maple top
Duncan dual coils with top-matching wood covers
Ebony fretboard, side dots only
Pope 18V preamp
35-inch scale
24 frets
and, of course, gold hardware.

Here's the top wood.

 

[thndrstk6]

I guess I can join up now. This one's on order.

Emperor 5 Deluxe
Walnut body, chambered
Spalted maple top
Duncan dual coils with top-matching wood covers
Ebony fretboard, side dots only
Pope 18V preamp
35-inch scale
24 frets
and, of course, gold hardware.

I love spalted maple and emperor 5s. Great choice!

 

[Munjibunga]

this is sort of an interesting issue. in one way, basses having their "own signature sound" could be considered to be a liability.

I see your point, but that's why you'd have a dozen other basses. I'm buying a Fodera to try to capture the sound I heard when I played a couple of them at Bass Central a few years ago. I hope it turns out like that. I've taken a risk by chambering the body, but I'm old, and walnut is heavy. I have to believe it's going to sound bitchen. We'll see.

 

[Munjibunga]

I love spalted maple and emperor 5s. Great choice!

I don't remember ever seeing a spalted maple Fodera. Maybe I should peruse the threads.

 

[steubig]

I see your point, but that's why you'd have a dozen other basses. I'm buying a Fodera to try to capture the sound I heard when I played a couple of them at Bass Central a few years ago. I hope it turns out like that. I've taken a risk by chambering the body, but I'm old, and walnut is heavy. I have to believe it's going to sound bitchen. We'll see.

first, congrats on the bass. this was a gift, right? pretty darned nice.

my point about a signature sound has more to do with (for example) a musicman probably only sounds like a musicman, neither good nor bad.

believe me when i say that i believe foderas have something that's a sound, but i don't consider it to be based on pickups (which was what started this particular segment of this thread). i think it's more dependent on whatever "secret sauce" (to quote michael pope) that they do.

trust me, if i didn't feel that they have a sound, etc., i wouldn't have spent the considerable amount of time and money i've invested in my foderas, which are the only electric basses i own.

 

[Munjibunga]

first, congrats on the bass. this was a gift, right? pretty darned nice.

my point about a signature sound has more to do with (for example) a musicman probably only sounds like a musicman, neither good nor bad.

believe me when i say that i believe foderas have something that's a sound, but i don't consider it to be based on pickups (which was what started this particular segment of this thread). i think it's more dependent on whatever "secret sauce" (to quote michael pope) that they do.

trust me, if i didn't feel that they have a sound, etc., i wouldn't have spent the considerable amount of time and money i've invested in my foderas, which are the only electric basses i own.

It's funny. Some of you may remember a couple months ago I was nosing around looking for a Fodera, then other expenses put it on the back burner. When I posted in this thread last month, I had no idea that the circumstance would arise enabling me to get one.

I met Vinnie at NAMM two years ago, and told him I would eventually own one of his basses. Thanks to the generosity of my partners, that's about to become true (although they mentioned Ritter). They had a picture of a Ritter there that night ... the "Flora Aurum." Remember that one? This was the one with big diamonds on the knobs and solid gold floral scrolling on the fretboard. It was on Jens' site for $100K!

Apparently some art dealer bought it and put in a gallery in Vegas for $250K. I told them how much it cost, and assured them I would save them a lot of money. Please forgive me for posting a Ritter in a Fodera thread, but I want to refresh your memories.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about this one. It will be the capstone of my collection. I have a few pretty decent basses, and this one will fit right in.

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