Fodera Club Part IX

[kamakiriad7]

+1
And the tonal differences, and those in terms of stability and durability?

I know from reading the newborn descriptions that Ash is a bit warmer and percussive sounding (maybe more front to the notes), which is appealing to me. I'm curious, then, whether an ash neck might also weigh less and thus balance easier - it might make me change the spec on the bass I'll be ordering soon.

 

[cnltb]

I know from reading the newborn descriptions that Ash is a bit warmer and percussive sounding (maybe more front to the notes), which is appealing to me. I'm curious, then, whether an ash neck might also weigh less and thus balance easier - it might make me change the spec on the bass I'll be ordering soon.

My guess is that the ash used on a neck might just be of equal weight to the maple used on necks.
It's just a guess tho.

 

[theNoseBleedKid]

Jason,I'll put up a little vid of this bass soon. I've got a good camera, you guys might dig hearing this bass.

 

[ian_s]

I'm in! Yin Yang Standard #28 has arrived. I posted a short preview over in the YYS thread. I am so glad to be a member.

 

[Andy Brown]

I'm in! Yin Yang Standard #28 has arrived. I posted a short preview over in the YYS thread. I am so glad to be a member.

Congrats! You're gonna love it!

 

[Tom7]

Gang --

Please remember that how a bass feels when you play it is not just about weight. I have played 8 pound Jazz basses with neck dive that are far more fatiguing to play than my main bass which is a Walnut Monarch (Yin Yang) that is around 10 pounds.

Great ergonomics very often trump weight. This is one of the things that allow our basses to sound special. Because they are well balanced, we can allow about more mass...which has a direct impact on Tone...

J

A big +1 to mass impacting tone. As you can see, my Emperor 5 is very Jazz bass like...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But there are some very important differences.

First, my Emperor 5 weighs more than the sins of the world. Time and time again I'm startled to put down the 6 string bass I've been playing and grab up my Emperor 5 off the stand and have it dip toward the floor because it weighs more than the 6er I just put on another stand. This bass has a lot of mass.

Second, but when I put the strap over my head and wear the bass, it is comfortable. It really is.

Third, all that mass, and the other Fodera appointments, create a MASSIVE, MEATY tone that literally turns heads when I start with it. I love that.

Imagine mixing Marcus with Shaq, and that's this bass.

 

[Steveman]

Imagine mixing Marcus with Shaq, and that's this bass.

Greatest analogy ever!

 

[Just Thumpin']

I am not sure that we actually have any digital copies of schematics for the old Pre's...Joey may have some in the binder that he keeps by his bench. I am not in the shop today, so an email to:

[email protected]

is probably the fastest way to get that nailed down today. If it can wait, I will take a look around tomorrow...

In terms of putting weights on the Newborn pages, we have consciously decided not not to...the reality is that our position about the weight of basses is decidedly in the minority and most Foderas weight between 9 and 10.5 pounds -- considered "too heavy" by some. However, having experimented extensively over the years with various weights for the instruments, we believe firmly that when weight gets too light, the richness and complexity of tone that we are trying to achieve suffers.

Cheers,

J

Jason,

I was completely floored by how perfectly balanced this Emperor II is. I will have to try it on a long gig and see how my shoulder fairs, but right now I'm believing what you just said. It also feels better in the lap.

Still, I concur weights would be good to know on the newborn page, and I was happy that this bass was on the lower end of 10 lbs which seemed more reasonable to me than those creeping towards 11.

I'm sure this has come up here before, but do you have schematics for older Pope pre's? Mine's 2008 and I'm not sure if it's changed much, it looks similar. Also, can I move those jumpers on my own or should that be done by a competent tech? The MFS is set to kill and I might like to make it do the usual mid select.

I'll put up a little vid of this bass soon. I've got a good camera, you guys might dig hearing this bass.

 

[Just Thumpin']

So, I have owed you all a couple of answers...

In terms of the Satinwood that we used on the top of the recent Yin Yang Deluxe that we built...Vinny would rather not divulge exactly what it is because it is hard to get and supplies are limited. What I will say is that it is not really a true Satinwood, but instead related to Yellowheart...

As for the weight of the materials that we use for necks (Ash and Maple), it really depends on the given pieces that we select for a given bass. Some of our Neck Ash is heavier than our Rock Maple and some less so...it will vary bass to bass depending on what we feel is needed for a particular instrument. So, a safe bet would be to say that on average they are similar...just tonally different.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

J

 

[nickbass79]

Jason
So what are the differences in tone between Ash and Maple and can the stringers still be an option on an ash neck?

Thanks

So, a safe bet would be to say that on average they are similar...just tonally different.

J

 

[basswalker2004]

Well my English is not first language, but that's what I've tried to say... It's not the weight that is a problem (what most of bass players are concern) it's how well balanced the bass is and whole ergonomic thing....

Thanks for clearing that out Jason!

Goran... I think your English is pretty darn good..

Unfortunately, for me, weight is a an issue because of neck/back problems. The fellas chambered my MG which helped considerably. Although it is not as light as my '83 monarch, which is a svelte 8.2 lbs, with the great balance, ergonomics and 33" scale I've been able to play 3 hour gigs with no real problem.

 

[basswalker2004]

So, I have owed you all a couple of answers...

In terms of the Satinwood that we used on the top of the recent Yin Yang Deluxe that we built...Vinny would rather not divulge exactly what it is because it is hard to get and supplies are limited. What I will say is that it is not really a true Satinwood, but instead related to Yellowheart...

As for the weight of the materials that we use for necks (Ash and Maple), it really depends on the given pieces that we select for a given bass. Some of our Neck Ash is heavier than our Rock Maple and some less so...it will vary bass to bass depending on what we feel is needed for a particular instrument. So, a safe bet would be to say that on average they are similar...just tonally different.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

J

To add to Jason's note.. I have Maple on the Monarch and Ash on the Garrison... both have proven to be incredibly stable.

 

[Just Thumpin']

We do stringers with either wood...

Tonally, I have covered the differences before in more detail, briefly, Ash tends to be a bit warmer and more percussive and Maple tends to be brighter and more ringing...

Cheers,

J

Jason
So what are the differences in tone between Ash and Maple and can the stringers still be an option on an ash neck?

Thanks

 

[warlock_black]

In terms of the Satinwood that we used on the top of the recent Yin Yang Deluxe that we built...Vinny would rather not divulge exactly what it is because it is hard to get and supplies are limited. What I will say is that it is not really a true Satinwood, but instead related to Yellowheart..

J

I understand. Thanks!

 

[BassSaxMan]

I am not sure that we actually have any digital copies of schematics for the old Pre's...Joey may have some in the binder that he keeps by his bench. I am not in the shop today, so an email to:

[email protected]

is probably the fastest way to get that nailed down today. If it can wait, I will take a look around tomorrow...

In terms of putting weights on the Newborn pages, we have consciously decided not not to...the reality is that our position about the weight of basses is decidedly in the minority and most Foderas weight between 9 and 10.5 pounds -- considered "too heavy" by some. However, having experimented extensively over the years with various weights for the instruments, we believe firmly that when weight gets too light, the richness and complexity of tone that we are trying to achieve suffers.

Cheers,

J

Dude, yes. I totally agree and my personal experience has borne this out. It's funny because I've talked to several other builders and explicitly requested heavier basses, over 10 pounds for sure and they are all hesitant.

My old Monarch 5 (which someone on this board now has), was quite weighty but sounded AWESOME. I also remember a macassar ebony topped Imperial 5 that belongs to Kevin Freeby that weighed something like 14 pounds, but man it just sounded ridiculous.

Again, I'll use my little example here. I'll never understand why people will scream bloody murder over 2 pounds or so on a bass, when there is a darn good chance the same person is 20-40+ pounds overweight.

 

[nostatic]

Again, I'll use my little example here. I'll never understand why people will scream bloody murder over 2 pounds or so on a bass, when there is a darn good chance the same person is 20-40+ pounds overweight.

Well, in my case, at 6'1" and 180 lbs, I'm 0 pounds overweight. However with two bad knees, rotator cuff damage in both shoulders, tendonitis from time to time, and on-again-off-again back problems, 2 pounds over 3 sets makes a *big* difference.

Has nothing to do with weight or "working out". It has to do with accumulated injuries from a variety of sources and playing long gigs. When I would swap between my Zons (which was about 9.5lbs) and my Rob Allen (which is 6.1lbs) it was literally night/day change in comfort.

The counterpoint to your prediction would be mine that people who don't complain about weight never play their basses outside of their bedroom However I know that isn't the case with at least some of the people on TB...

 

[curt basner]

@ Tom7 - You wrote, above: "If I were to get another Yin Yang, it would probably be a Standard, but if it were to be a Deluxe, I'd probably ask for a white or cream cover on the jazz pickup at the bridge." I wrote to Fodera to ask them that very question, if they would replace the bridge pickup cover with a cream or white cover. Jason wrote that they would be happy to do it, but that they'd tried it before, and it looked awful, which is why they don't offer that as a standard option.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I don't complain about weight and I gig frequently. And I've known builders who saw the same corelations that Jason mentioned re weight.

If I could find a lighter weight bass that sounded somewhere in the vicinity of my Contrabass or any of my main gigging basses I'd likely own it. I've looked at damn near everything available over the last 30 years and so far it just hasn't happened. I'll be the first to admit it should I ever come across it.


I'd guess the main thing that's missing IME is getting an instrument that's capable of extremely hard-hitting attack that's articulate but maintains well above average depth. When you hear it against most (actually just about "all" with a couple of unicorn type exceptions) lighter basses they pale in comparison. All IME, which is by most standards pretty extensive.

I understand physical conditions that drive people to need to deal with lighter instruments, I'm fortunate that it's not an issue for me after all these years.

 

[BassSaxMan]

Well, in my case, at 6'1" and 180 lbs, I'm 0 pounds overweight. However with two bad knees, rotator cuff damage in both shoulders, tendonitis from time to time, and on-again-off-again back problems, 2 pounds over 3 sets makes a *big* difference.

Has nothing to do with weight or "working out". It has to do with accumulated injuries from a variety of sources and playing long gigs. When I would swap between my Zons (which was about 9.5lbs) and my Rob Allen (which is 6.1lbs) it was literally night/day change in comfort.

The counterpoint to your prediction would be mine that people who don't complain about weight never play their basses outside of their bedroom However I know that isn't the case with at least some of the people on TB...

I have played many gigs that lasted several hours, all standing. I am 6'1" as well, about 200, but I'm fairly athletic. I know not everyone is the same of course, but speaking on average MOST people are overweight. It's just a general point, obviously it doesn't go for everyone.

 

[curt basner]

I have been thinking and pondering and agonizing, and thinking some more... Normally, I don't have issues with my financial situation, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to make decisions like this without a thought about the cost. That said, the cost of going Fodera won't change a thing in my life (like not being able to make a house payment, or sending my kid to school (tuition costs), or....)

There is a Yin Yang Deluxe available that should be ready in 3-4 weeks. From what EVERYONE has said in every thread that the YY Standards are discussed, there are no downsides, and even a few upsides, compared to the YY Deluxe. Except...for the even more amazing elegance and beauty of the woodwork on the Deluxe, the top, the neck, the headstock... One of the reasons I want a Fodera is the craftsmanship. While clearly present in the Standard, there is a different type in the Deluxe. Would I be happy with a Standard? No doubt! Would I appreciate the beauty of the Deluxe, at almost 2.5x the price? I would. So...I'll make my choice in a day or so...