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Herman's Hermits...hhmmm
Are you referring to these guys?
http://www.hermanshermits.co.uk/
But more to the point... do you have any experience with these strings and would you be able and willing to comment?
Herman's Hermits...hhmmm
Are you referring to these guys?
http://www.hermanshermits.co.uk/
But more to the point... do you have any experience with these strings and would you be able and willing to comment?
What strings?
Fodera sell strings.
One of the sets is, if I remember correctly wound on round core wire whilst the others are wound on hex core wire.
That's the strings I am referring to.
I am now wondering in what way the round core influences the behavior tone and feel of the strings as opposed to the hex core wire.
I myself use exposed core strings wound on round cores but can't afford to have hex core strings wound for an A/B.-In case they don't do it for me.
So I was hoping that someone here might have recently experienced both kinds of strings and would for that reason be able to comment.
This is a picture from way back but I had to post it. I've always loved the Lincoln Goines signature model and this bass is right up my alley. This and the Garrison are my favorite models. Well outside of the Presentation but I'm trying to be realistic with what I may one day have. 
This is a picture from way back but I had to post it. I've always loved the Lincoln Goines signature model and this bass is right up my alley. This and the Garrison are my favorite models. Well outside of the Presentation but I'm trying to be realistic with what I may one day have.
I'm pretty sure that you and I have the same tastes in 6'ers.
Mo, I'm not Jason and I'm sure he'll chime in....but from what I understand they use the Fodera bridge (in the photo above) with their standard spacing. Anything more narrow and they use a Hipshot.
IIRC, those were the bridges that were adjustable in three ways and were able to be locked down with those set screws.
Is that what you're referring to?
Jason can answer with more detail but there's two versions of the Fodera bridge that look pretty similar (although I believe the logo is in script on one and not the other.) One is a better bridge than the other. I believe the difference may be that one is all brass - although I can't remember exactly.
I was never clear on how or when they would use the better bridge vs the cheaper one.
There is also the old style that looks similar to both the good and cheaper one - but also has locking saddles. That's the "best" one to have if you can find it. IMHO.
I was never clear on how or when they would use the better bridge vs the cheaper one.
There is also the old style that looks similar to both the good and cheaper one - but also has locking saddles. That's the "best" one to have if you can find it. IMHO.
I think for a short while there was also a Hipshot bridge made specially for Fodera, with Fodera written on it. Looked different to the standard bridge but still with wide spacing (not like now where it narrower spacing with no script on it). I think before they had their own bridges built for them they used off the shelf Schallers early on too.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Hi gang, sorry to have been so quiet for awhile, but Joey and I were in Japan all last week working with our team there that does the initial work on the NYC's. I continue to be amazed at how incredibly similar their work ethic, philosophy and building methods are to what we do here in Brooklyn...it was a GREAT trip.
Anyway, on to answering the bridge question.
As with many things about Fodera, historically there have been any number of different bridges used and at times decisions were made more due to which parts were on hand when a given bass was built than any kind of consistent formula . Over the past year we have brought consistency to what we use on various instruments and the discussion below explains where things stand today. I do not have pictures (because I am answering this from home on Saturday morning), but will do my very best to clearly describe things...
1. Fodera Standard Custom Shop Bridge. This is the one that says "Fodera" in script on it and has round, steel colored pins on which the strings sit in each saddle. The small allen head screws used to adjust these pins (which allow for side to side spacing adjustments) are also steel colored. The bridge comes in either gold or black finish. It is our proprietary design and is fashioned from solid, machined bell brass (or in Anthony Jackson's case, titanium). EVERY Custom Shop Fodera built in Brooklyn since at least last October (2009) comes with this bridge. Up until August of 2010, this was only available in 19.0 mm spacing. Since the spacing is adjustable, it can be used for roughly 18.5 - 20.0 mm setups.
2. Fodera Narrow Custom Shop Bridge. Beginning in August 2010, we have offered a 17.5 mm spaced version of our Custom Shop Bridge. All other specs are identical to number 1 above. We used to use Hipshot bridges for anything narrower than 18.5 mm spacing. All customers with 17.5 mm builds on order have been given the option of staying with the Hipshot bridge that their order was originally spec'd with or moving to the new Fodera Narrow Bridge (at no charge). All new 17.5 mm instruments will have this bridge.
3. Fodera NYC Bridge. This bridge also says "Fodera" in script on it and looks very similar to what is now the Fodera Standard Custom Shop Bridge. The specs are also remarkably similar. It is our own proprietary design, offers all of the same adjustments and is also fashioned from a single piece of machined bell brass. This bridge was historically used interchangeably with # 1 above and there are many Custom Shop instruments out there with them. I personally own a Yin Yang with one of these bridges. It is, in fact, made exclusively for us by Hipshot (which is where the term "Fodera Hipshot Bridge" comes from).
The way to distinguish this bridge from #1 above is by the pins on which the strings sit and the screws used to adjust the string spacing. The adjustment screws are inset into the saddle and the pins themselves are black in color (and a bit thicker than the ones used on the other bridge).
We have now made this bridge standard on all NYC's (it used to be an upgrade). This bridge only comes in 19.0 mm spacing.
4. Narrow Custom Shop Bridges. For those instruments requiring spacing narrower than 17.5 mm, we will continue to use Hipshot bridges.
I hope that all of this makes sense!
Regards,
Jason
Anyway, on to answering the bridge question.
As with many things about Fodera, historically there have been any number of different bridges used and at times decisions were made more due to which parts were on hand when a given bass was built than any kind of consistent formula . Over the past year we have brought consistency to what we use on various instruments and the discussion below explains where things stand today. I do not have pictures (because I am answering this from home on Saturday morning), but will do my very best to clearly describe things...
1. Fodera Standard Custom Shop Bridge. This is the one that says "Fodera" in script on it and has round, steel colored pins on which the strings sit in each saddle. The small allen head screws used to adjust these pins (which allow for side to side spacing adjustments) are also steel colored. The bridge comes in either gold or black finish. It is our proprietary design and is fashioned from solid, machined bell brass (or in Anthony Jackson's case, titanium). EVERY Custom Shop Fodera built in Brooklyn since at least last October (2009) comes with this bridge. Up until August of 2010, this was only available in 19.0 mm spacing. Since the spacing is adjustable, it can be used for roughly 18.5 - 20.0 mm setups.
2. Fodera Narrow Custom Shop Bridge. Beginning in August 2010, we have offered a 17.5 mm spaced version of our Custom Shop Bridge. All other specs are identical to number 1 above. We used to use Hipshot bridges for anything narrower than 18.5 mm spacing. All customers with 17.5 mm builds on order have been given the option of staying with the Hipshot bridge that their order was originally spec'd with or moving to the new Fodera Narrow Bridge (at no charge). All new 17.5 mm instruments will have this bridge.
3. Fodera NYC Bridge. This bridge also says "Fodera" in script on it and looks very similar to what is now the Fodera Standard Custom Shop Bridge. The specs are also remarkably similar. It is our own proprietary design, offers all of the same adjustments and is also fashioned from a single piece of machined bell brass. This bridge was historically used interchangeably with # 1 above and there are many Custom Shop instruments out there with them. I personally own a Yin Yang with one of these bridges. It is, in fact, made exclusively for us by Hipshot (which is where the term "Fodera Hipshot Bridge" comes from).
The way to distinguish this bridge from #1 above is by the pins on which the strings sit and the screws used to adjust the string spacing. The adjustment screws are inset into the saddle and the pins themselves are black in color (and a bit thicker than the ones used on the other bridge).
We have now made this bridge standard on all NYC's (it used to be an upgrade). This bridge only comes in 19.0 mm spacing.
4. Narrow Custom Shop Bridges. For those instruments requiring spacing narrower than 17.5 mm, we will continue to use Hipshot bridges.
I hope that all of this makes sense!
Regards,
Jason
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
My previous answer goes into more detail about what we currently offer, however Joel raises a few interesting points in his post that I'd like to clarify...
1. As per my previous post, there was no rhyme or reason to why one Fodera bridge was used vs. the other...whatever the parts bin was most full of is what got used. The decision to add a Hipshot-produced Fodera bridge was made exclusively to have a second source for a key proprietary component, NOT to save money. Early on the two different versions of the bridge were only several dollars apart in price (a very, very small fraction of their cost). I have A-B'd several basses whose owners wanted to "upgrade" their Fodera by replacing the Hipshot produced bridge with the other and my personal experience is that there is no audible difference between the two versions. I myself own a Yin Yang that has the Hipshot-produced Fodera bridge have never considered swapping it out...
2. The "old style" Locking Fodera bridge that Joel refers to was manufactured by the same people that make what is currently our Custom Shop Bridges. However, referring to it as the "best" one is more a matter of opinion. I have two basses with the locking version of the bridge on it.
The primary advantage (compared to the current bridges) was the ability to lock down each saddle (with two lock down screws per saddle) once all of the saddle height, string spacing and intonation adjustments had been made thereby creating a more solid unit from a tone-producing perspective. Although I have basses with the locking bridge on it, I have never A-B'd the SAME bass with the locking and non-locking versions of the bridge.
The decision to move away from the locking version to the current version was due to Fodera owners expressing their STRONG desire for a bridge that was easier to adjust and maintain. There were several small parts on the locking design that were prone to getting lost and/or fused if the bridge was not properly cared for and this became a maintenance headache that Joey and Vinny felt outweighed any potential sonic benefit...
We have actually toyed with the possibility of re-introducing the locking version of our bridge as an option for new builds and/or retrofits. As of this time we have not done so because we would need to run a fairly large number of them and charge $150-200 MORE per bridge...
1. As per my previous post, there was no rhyme or reason to why one Fodera bridge was used vs. the other...whatever the parts bin was most full of is what got used. The decision to add a Hipshot-produced Fodera bridge was made exclusively to have a second source for a key proprietary component, NOT to save money. Early on the two different versions of the bridge were only several dollars apart in price (a very, very small fraction of their cost). I have A-B'd several basses whose owners wanted to "upgrade" their Fodera by replacing the Hipshot produced bridge with the other and my personal experience is that there is no audible difference between the two versions. I myself own a Yin Yang that has the Hipshot-produced Fodera bridge have never considered swapping it out...
2. The "old style" Locking Fodera bridge that Joel refers to was manufactured by the same people that make what is currently our Custom Shop Bridges. However, referring to it as the "best" one is more a matter of opinion. I have two basses with the locking version of the bridge on it.
The primary advantage (compared to the current bridges) was the ability to lock down each saddle (with two lock down screws per saddle) once all of the saddle height, string spacing and intonation adjustments had been made thereby creating a more solid unit from a tone-producing perspective. Although I have basses with the locking bridge on it, I have never A-B'd the SAME bass with the locking and non-locking versions of the bridge.
The decision to move away from the locking version to the current version was due to Fodera owners expressing their STRONG desire for a bridge that was easier to adjust and maintain. There were several small parts on the locking design that were prone to getting lost and/or fused if the bridge was not properly cared for and this became a maintenance headache that Joey and Vinny felt outweighed any potential sonic benefit...
We have actually toyed with the possibility of re-introducing the locking version of our bridge as an option for new builds and/or retrofits. As of this time we have not done so because we would need to run a fairly large number of them and charge $150-200 MORE per bridge...
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Over the years, Joey and Vinny have experimented with many different "recipes" for our strings and I have personally had the opportunity to A-B round core and hex core versions of exactly the same strings.
Joey, Vinny and I are unanimous in our preference for both the sound and feel of the round core versions of our strings and the shop is in the process of going over to 100% round core. By New Year's, every Fodera string made will be round core.
In terms of what specific differences we have observed? Slightly improved resonance and sustain. More uniform and supple feel (especially if yo do any bends). Longer life.
To be clear, we spend a LOT of time here at Fodera trying to perfect things. So the last 1-2% benefit we can squeeze out of various aspects of our instruments' design gets a very large proportion of our attention. Playing the hex core and round core versions of the strings side by side, the differences are definitely there but they are not so earth shattering that you'd be disappointed with the hex cores.
Joey, Vinny and I are unanimous in our preference for both the sound and feel of the round core versions of our strings and the shop is in the process of going over to 100% round core. By New Year's, every Fodera string made will be round core.
In terms of what specific differences we have observed? Slightly improved resonance and sustain. More uniform and supple feel (especially if yo do any bends). Longer life.
To be clear, we spend a LOT of time here at Fodera trying to perfect things. So the last 1-2% benefit we can squeeze out of various aspects of our instruments' design gets a very large proportion of our attention. Playing the hex core and round core versions of the strings side by side, the differences are definitely there but they are not so earth shattering that you'd be disappointed with the hex cores.
A question regarding strings...to anyone that has experience with both types as offered by fodera.
I am wondering how you would describe the difference between round core strings and the hex core ones, in terms of tone ,feel and response to touch if given the same gauges and scale length with the only difference being the core on which the strings are wound.
Thanks
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