Fodera Club Part IV

[Just Thumpin']

Very narrowly...17.5 mm to 18.0 mm.

Jason, Can #2 of spacing be adjustable as well? if possible, I'd want to to know its range, Thanks

 

[cnltb]

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.

Thank you!
Also, will a extra long 5 string version of foderas' exposed round core strings become available (one that fits on a 36" bass that#s strung through the body)?
If not, how much apprx will this cost as custom order?

And-how do the exposed core ones compare to the others?

 

[Just Thumpin']

I am not sure as we have had precious few requests for this kind of set. That said, give Holly a shout and ask! Holly works on all of our string formulations with Tom and Rick (the guys that make them)...

[email protected]

In terms of how exposed core strings compare to the others...I have had so little personal experience with exposed core strings that an answer would be disingenuous...sorry!

Thank you!
Also, will a extra long 5 string version of foderas' exposed round core strings become available (one that fits on a 36" bass that#s strung through the body)?
If not, how much apprx will this cost as custom order?

And-how do the exposed core ones compare to the others?

 

[cnltb]

I am not sure as we have had precious few requests for this kind of set. That said, give Holly a shout and ask! Holly works on all of our string formulations with Tom and Rick (the guys that make them)...

[email protected]

In terms of how exposed core strings compare to the others...I have had so little personal experience with exposed core strings that an answer would be disingenuous...sorry!

Thanks again!

 

[Lennard III.]

ok, so what's the deal with the different types of bridges ?

I have two basses and they have two different bridges on it - both say Fodera in letters....

I guess the question in the past whiche bridge came on one Bass was which Bridge was laying around in the shop ?!?

my Empi 06 has this black and massive one

and the Imperial from 08 has this other one

 

[syw902]

I guess

#1

#2 No photo


#3

#4

Locking version

 

[se_jazman]

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...

Thanks for a very descriptive post. Just like to add that the Titanium bridges are made "old style" with locking saddles (as requested by Anthony Jackson).
The prototypes for Titanum bridges were made without the locking saddles, but to get most out of the bridge both from the sonic and stability perspective it has since been changed to the design with locking saddles. One such bridge is shown below. These bridges can also be coated in either black or 24K gold.

 

[Bernie Connors]

Thanks for a very descriptive post. Just like to add that the Titanium bridges are made "old style" with locking saddles (as requested by Anthony Jackson).
The prototypes for Titanum bridges were made without the locking saddles, but to get most out of the bridge both from the sonic and stability perspective it has since been changed to the design with locking saddles. One such bridge is shown below. These bridges can also be coated in either black or 24K gold.

Wow! That's a thing of beauty.

Can these be ordered on a bass other than the Presentation?

 

[emjazz]

How does the titanium bridge differ in tone from brass?

 

[Joelc73]

ok, so what's the deal with the different types of bridges ?

I have two basses and they have two different bridges on it - both say Fodera in letters....

I guess the question in the past whiche bridge came on one Bass was which Bridge was laying around in the shop ?!?

my Empi 06 has this black and massive one

and the Imperial from 08 has this other one

Your Imperial has the better (now standard) bridge.

 

[Joelc73]

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...

Good posts Jason - nice summary. It's great that the air is finally being cleared a bit in terms of a lot of Fodera's operation. So much of this was always a mystery...

I always hated when we placed a custom order for a guy and it showed up with the Hipshot bridge on it. We would always request the brass bridge but it didn't always happen.

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.

Agreed that it is a matter of taste but, all things being equal, it is the better bridge - at least in theory. Since it is, in essence, the equivalent of the now standard custom shop brass bridge, plus has the locking saddle ability, there is a theoretical advantage to having it.

I remember having a bunch of conversations with Joey about that bridge. He agreed it was better as well but, to your point, had way to much margin for user error.

"Better" here is clearly by small margin.

From a production standpoint though, I do think Fodera was right to remove the locking saddles though. I remember seeing way too many used Foderas come through the shop with missing (or stripped) set screws.

I hope that helps.

JC

 

[Lennard III.]

Your Imperial has the better (now standard) bridge.

ok thanks !

and why is it a better one ? for me it seems that there's the same "technique" inside

and I feel the "cheaper" one works smoother

 

[se_jazman]

How does the titanium bridge differ in tone from brass?

Having used a titanium bridge for a couple of years now and also having the possibility to A/B it with the identical brass version, my opinion is that it gives a richer sound of each note without compromising the fundamental, especially for the lower strings.
I have no scientific explanation of that (yet), but my guess is that more of the higher frequencies (overtones) created in the instrument are let through.

Of course this is an extremely subjective matter, and may also be infuenced by wood choices etc. The bass I have it on is a 36" scale, Emp II, with Walnut body and Kingwood fingerboard.

 

[Bernie Connors]

Having used a titanium bridge for a couple of years now and also having the possibility to A/B it with the identical brass version, my opinion is that it gives a richer sound of each note without compromising the fundamental, especially for the lower strings.
I have no scientific explanation of that (yet), but my guess is that more of the higher frequencies (overtones) created in the instrument are let through.

Of course this is an extremely subjective matter, and may also be infuenced by wood choices etc. The bass I have it on is a 36" scale, Emp II, with Walnut body and Kingwood fingerboard.

Thanks!

Do you have a pic of that bass with the bridge? Sounds awesome.

 

[se_jazman]

Thanks!

Do you have a pic of that bass with the bridge? Sounds awesome.

This is the bass. This is one of the protoype bridges, so it does not have locking saddles (and no Fodera engraving).

 

[Bernie Connors]

This is the bass. This is one of the protoype bridges, so it does not have locking saddles (and no Fodera engraving).

Incredible! I'm assuming it is available to the public and not just AJ, then?

 

[se_jazman]

Incredible! I'm assuming it is available to the public and not just AJ, then?

Thanks!
Yes, Titanium bridges are available to the public. Jason has more detailed info about that.

 

[cnltb]

Can one buy just the bridges also?
It would be a very interesting thing to try them on one or two of my instruments.

 

[Angus]

You might be disappointed. Titanium may be stiffer (and I say may because only some formulations are stiffer than brass) and has a high strength/weight ratio (which means nothing for a bridge), but it also is the rubber band of metals- it soaks up vibrations at various frequencies substantially more than brass.

I'm not convinced, and I've played an AJ with a titanium bridge in Japan. I think a lot of it is the appeal of the exotic.

 

[Bernie Connors]

You might be disappointed. Titanium may be stiffer (and I say may because only some formulations are stiffer than brass) and has a high strength/weight ratio (which means nothing for a bridge), but it also is the rubber band of metals- it soaks up vibrations at various frequencies substantially more than brass.

I'm not convinced, and I've played an AJ with a titanium bridge in Japan. I think a lot of it is the appeal of the exotic.

Interesting. Playing an AJ that is spec'd to the gills must have been quite an experience.

Maybe Jason can chime in with why AJ believes the titanium bridge and truss rod are worth the extra work and expense.