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Fodera Club Part IX

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#482
There's not a 'signature" sound but there is a quality that all Fodera's I've heard possess.

There are some definitive characteristics I've noticed in Fodera's that are consistent from model to model are that they have an even tone from top to bottom, and especially on the G string, which sounds fuller than anything I've ever heard. I also think there's a type of cohesiveness to the tone and a responsiveness that is on a higher level than other makers. There's a nice fundamental core to tone yet a great amount of clarity, which is a hard thing to balance properly.

That said, you can go dark, bright, Jaco, slap, etc often with the same bass. I'm just getting to know mine and don't feel that I've even come up with all avenues of tone from the bass yet.

And I would totally be able to grind this thing out with a pick and a burly P style tone while vomiting on stage. It might look a little fancy for that, though. ;)
 
#484
Marcus has been a long time friend of the Joey and Vinny as well as an avid player of our basses. He mostly uses our gear for his fretless work and when he is in town he stops in to say hello. I, unfortunately, was in our New Jersey office that day so I didn't get to hang, but I do know that he was LOVING the NYC that we was playing in the pictures.

The gang in the shop that day got a heck of a treat as Marcus is just an INSANELY GREAT player and a really class gentleman to boot. He did what a lot of cats do when they come to the shop...hung out, talked music, tried some basses, talked music, hung out...talked music.

J

mhduffl said:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hi Jason,

Would you mind sharing us more info of the Marcus' visit to Fodera Factory??
Did he order or purchase new fodera bass/basses or just a normal visit???

Many Thanks!!!:hyper:
Click to expand...
 
#485
I really hope I get to visit that shop one day! Looks like a great sensory over load for a bass/exotic wood nut!

And Jason! I don't think I have seen a picture of you yet where you don't look like you are having a great time working with those guys!

(Maybe I should strive to become a Fodera Artist before I make my first appearance though) :cool: :bassist:
 
#488
thepontif said:
Personally, I don't have a clue what a "signature Fodera sound" would be. But I do know, that if you want a really big and warm fingerstyle sound, most Foderas will do it, except for the brightest woods. Mahogany and Ebony won't sound as warm as alder and rosewood. That said, my mahogany/ebony bass can be warmed up just fine. A lot of that is in your hands anyway, even if you don't realize it. If you have a warm touch, you'll get a warm sound, and most Foderas won't disagree with what you're trying to get from them (with only a minimum of tweaking)
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Never noticed a signature sound either. That's what I like about them. They tend to reflect you, for better or worse, except in extreme cases. IME of course.
 
#490
Brad Johnson said:
Never noticed a signature sound either. That's what I like about them. They tend to reflect you, for better or worse, except in extreme cases. IME of course.
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+1 (especially the for worse part :D). The YYS is what I'd considered to be a fairly voiced bass but I still don't sound like Victor when I play it. I *can* get some of the same tones - they're there for the taking, and I couldn't get them out of my Fender. But it is like a really clear mirror - it reflects every bit of what I do. And that can be a good thing or a bad thing. I think that there are some who play one and don't like it, in part because it is a brutally honest instrument. That is in contrast to for instance some other basses which you can pluck fairly indiscriminately and get a good tone. And that isn't to denigrate the player. It just can be a shock coming from other instruments.
 
#491
nostatic said:
+1 (especially the for worse part :D). The YYS is what I'd considered to be a fairly voiced bass but I still don't sound like Victor when I play it. I *can* get some of the same tones - they're there for the taking, and I couldn't get them out of my Fender. But it is like a really clear mirror - it reflects every bit of what I do. And that can be a good thing or a bad thing. I think that there are some who play one and don't like it, in part because it is a brutally honest instrument. That is in contrast to for instance some other basses which you can pluck fairly indiscriminately and get a good tone. And that isn't to denigrate the player. It just can be a shock coming from other instruments.
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i for one really like that as the resonant capabilities of the instruments allow for some really interesting and expressive possibilities.
 
#493
Haha, Brad if they do that I'll be broke for another two years instead of one! I guess in a way I hope they don't make that part of their standard line.

I still don't take delivery of my AJ6 until fall of next year. An AJ5 standard, if that is the new model would be delivered prior to my custom being finished...oh man!:help:


Brad Johnson said:
Pass it this way, Dan.
;)
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#494
steubig said:
i for one really like that as the resonant capabilities of the instruments allow for some really interesting and expressive possibilities.
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At this point I'm seriously digging the "stunt bass" angle. The 24 frets, sick-fast neck, perfect balance, and the light VW string set encourage me to try things that I wouldn't imagine on another instrument.

I remember the mini TB-tempest when Victor's bass was lost in transit in Europe and Jason put a call out for a Fodera owner in the area to possibly loan their bass. Some of the haters suggested that VW shouldn't need a special bass and should be able to use anything. The reality is that Victor certainly *could* make an SX sound sick, but his bass allows him to more easily realize his sonic vision. The tools can make a difference. They aren't going to turn you into something you're not, but they can point you in certain directions and inspire you to go places you haven't been.
 
#495
nostatic said:
They aren't going to turn you into something you're not, but they can point you in certain directions and inspire you to go places you haven't been.
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Absolutely agree. In fact, the inspiration part was my motivation to order the coming Fodera. I figure I need all the help I can get, and there is no doubt that a piece of art, in addition to a fabulous instrument, should combine to be just that!
 
#496
curt basner said:
Absolutely agree. In fact, the inspiration part was my motivation to order the coming Fodera. I figure I need all the help I can get, and there is no doubt that a piece of art, in addition to a fabulous instrument, should combine to be just that!
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if nothing else, the guilt of spending big cash on such a great instrument will make want to practice more ;-)

(i speak from personal experience here.)
 
#497
I've found the embarassment factor is a much stronger motivator than the pain of the expense- it hurts much worse to seen playing very poorly on a great instrument than it does just to know you paid for a great instrument!
 
#498
nostatic said:
At this point I'm seriously digging the "stunt bass" angle. The 24 frets, sick-fast neck, perfect balance, and the light VW string set encourage me to try things that I wouldn't imagine on another instrument.

I remember the mini TB-tempest when Victor's bass was lost in transit in Europe and Jason put a call out for a Fodera owner in the area to possibly loan their bass. Some of the haters suggested that VW shouldn't need a special bass and should be able to use anything. The reality is that Victor certainly *could* make an SX sound sick, but his bass allows him to more easily realize his sonic vision. The tools can make a difference. They aren't going to turn you into something you're not, but they can point you in certain directions and inspire you to go places you haven't been.
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Yep, I was talking to him about that after a show he did here a few months ago with The Flecktones. The hardest part, he told me, about it was that he also lost his effects pedal which allows him to do the looping (Boss RC 20XL or Boss RC50, not sure which).

"That's where your musicianship really shines," he said, "It's when you have to improvise with the different equipment that you're given that you learn the most." I cannot imagine what he did in place of the looping but I am betting it was a feast for the eyes and ears.
 
#499
AJ5 Standard... that would be cool also, I'm more into Imperial Standard, but ok I understand...

I remeber there was a AJ5 string bass that was made for my teacher Ed Lucie, I'll try to find a photo....

ok here it is....
Bassist Steve York has it.. looks great
AJnewblack.JPG
 
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