I have a question about neck stability. I know there are people who believe Fodera necks need more than the normal amount of adjustment to keep optimum playability. Also, I know there are people who believe their Fodera neck is extremely stable and needs little adjustment. I'm not trying to start an argument about Fodera vs. other makers necks, but I'm wondering if any particular style of Fodera (bolt on, deluxe, elite) is a generally more stable neck. My Emperor 5 and Monarch 6 are both elites, and the necks seem to be extremely stable (I live in northeast Ohio, pretty rough climate changes during the year). The necks on my basses need very little adjustment to maintain playability throughout the year. Am I just lucky, or is this the norm with elite models? Also, is neck stability the reason you can't get a deluxe 6? Apologies in advance if this has already been answered.
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KoaFodera
Commercial User
I don't believe anyone is allowed to answer your questions without picture proof that your basses exist.......
im new to the forums. ive been looking around a long time but i finally registered and soon ill be a supporting member. I just wanted to say hello and that i will get the pictures of my 83 classic up asap so that i can join the club.
I also am proud to say that me and my father are the ones that purchased the Vinnie Fodera bass listed earlier in this thread and im ecstatic to have such an interesting piece of Fodera history in my collection and as soon as it gets shipped to my dad and i get the chance ill be posting pictures of it.
I also am proud to say that me and my father are the ones that purchased the Vinnie Fodera bass listed earlier in this thread and im ecstatic to have such an interesting piece of Fodera history in my collection and as soon as it gets shipped to my dad and i get the chance ill be posting pictures of it.
I don't believe anyone is allowed to answer your questions without picture proof that your basses exist.......
Here they are. I'm no expert with file resizing, which is why I haven't posted pics before. Hope they come through.
Attachments
Thanks for the compliment. The Monarch 6 is the all-around best bass I have ever owned or played.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
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- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
I cannot discern any significant tonal difference purely attributable to the fret sizes. It does however affect the feel of the instrument with the smaller frets getting your fingers closer to the fingerboard material when fretting. Some people like that, others don't...
Hope this helps!
J
Hope this helps!
J
Jason,
what is the rough tonal difference between the large and the small frets `?
greetings from germany
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
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- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
I have not noticed any difference between build configurations (bolt-on, dovetail or neck-through) in terms of neck stability -- at least with our instruments.
The reason that we have not done a dovetail 6 string is that Vinny is worried about applying 6 strings worth of tension to a dovetail joint. I asked him this once and he said that he would build one, but that the top wood on the instrument would have to be extremely hard and stable. By way of example, he would never attempt a 6-string dovetail with a Buckeye or Spalted Maple Top...he worries that the tension from all 6 strings could rip the neck right off of the top...
Back to neck stability...I personally own many Foderas (the exact number must remain a secret for fear that my wife might read this) and every one of them have extremely stable necks. They range in vintage from 1984 right through 2010 and every one of them is very stable. That said, twice a year when the seasons change I do have to tweak the truss rod 1/8th of a turn or so to keep the neck exactly the way I want it. But that has more to do with the very low action that I like to play with (3/64ths of an inch above the last fret on the G-string) than the way the instruments are designed.
The reason that we have not done a dovetail 6 string is that Vinny is worried about applying 6 strings worth of tension to a dovetail joint. I asked him this once and he said that he would build one, but that the top wood on the instrument would have to be extremely hard and stable. By way of example, he would never attempt a 6-string dovetail with a Buckeye or Spalted Maple Top...he worries that the tension from all 6 strings could rip the neck right off of the top...
Back to neck stability...I personally own many Foderas (the exact number must remain a secret for fear that my wife might read this) and every one of them have extremely stable necks. They range in vintage from 1984 right through 2010 and every one of them is very stable. That said, twice a year when the seasons change I do have to tweak the truss rod 1/8th of a turn or so to keep the neck exactly the way I want it. But that has more to do with the very low action that I like to play with (3/64ths of an inch above the last fret on the G-string) than the way the instruments are designed.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
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- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Looking forward to seeing your 83 Classic! Are you planning on coming to Vic's Fodera Camp in 2011?
We'll get the Spector out to you on the 29th. It is an incredibly special instrument. Please cherish it and keep it safe. It was not easy for Vinny to decide to part with it...
We'll get the Spector out to you on the 29th. It is an incredibly special instrument. Please cherish it and keep it safe. It was not easy for Vinny to decide to part with it...
Could you fill me in more on what the camp is like? How do i sign up? and about how much does it cost? (I need to know so i can start working and saving haha) I would really love to go to Vics Camp as i am already in Nashville, and i moved here to play bass! I recieved my 83 classic from my mother and my bass teacher for 9 years(David Stanley), as a 21st birthday/ audio-engineering graduation gift, after i moved up here. Best birthday possible.... hands down.
Im rediculously excited about the Spector, honestly i dont know how i talked my dad into bidding on it. He is very supportive of me collecting instruments, especially true pieces of artwork, but this one just takes the cake, the history behind it is awesome. Im already itching to play it but because my father lives in Texas, and I live in Tennessee, it may b closer to christmas when i get to spend some time with it. He actually asked me the other day how i wanted it strung and set up. Would that be you setting it up? If so id much rather talk directly to you guys as my dad isnt really a player hes just a great appreciater, and im not sure how well he works as a mediator on this subject
haha.
sorry bout the lengthy responce, just enjoy the company of other enthusiast!
Im rediculously excited about the Spector, honestly i dont know how i talked my dad into bidding on it. He is very supportive of me collecting instruments, especially true pieces of artwork, but this one just takes the cake, the history behind it is awesome. Im already itching to play it but because my father lives in Texas, and I live in Tennessee, it may b closer to christmas when i get to spend some time with it. He actually asked me the other day how i wanted it strung and set up. Would that be you setting it up? If so id much rather talk directly to you guys as my dad isnt really a player hes just a great appreciater, and im not sure how well he works as a mediator on this subject
haha. sorry bout the lengthy responce, just enjoy the company of other enthusiast!
a word about neck stability:
i have a 12-string (6-string in double courses) fodera bass (made in 2003). as you can imagine the string tension is a little bit more than a standard 6-string bass, yet the neck is not appreciably thicker or wider than any of the 6-string basses i have and is incredibly stable.
so . . . factor in that any piece of wood is going to have its own characteristics, but i think fodera's necks are very stable.
i have a 12-string (6-string in double courses) fodera bass (made in 2003). as you can imagine the string tension is a little bit more than a standard 6-string bass, yet the neck is not appreciably thicker or wider than any of the 6-string basses i have and is incredibly stable.
so . . . factor in that any piece of wood is going to have its own characteristics, but i think fodera's necks are very stable.
I appreciate all the responses about neck stability. It was just something I have been curious about. As I said, my 2 Foderas are very stable and have required very little in the way of adjustment. In fairness, my Emperor 5 is a relatively new acquisition but it has been very stable from late summer until now. Thanks again for the feedback.
- Apr 24, 2004
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- Designer Fodera Guitars/Michael Pope Design, Inc., Trickfish Amplification
I personally have never had an issue with neck stability on any Fodera I've ever owned. My current bass has a ONE piece neck, and it needs a little tweak about twice a year as seasons change.
My '86 Monarch survived the recent weather change without needing any adjustment at all.
Which is more than can be said of my Alembic & Sei through-neck basses which sit right next to it in the rack.
They were literally unplayable when the weather turned and needed a lot of neck relief adjustment to get them usable again!
My Celinder and Alleva Coppolo were both fine as well
- Oct 29, 2005
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- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amp Gruv Gear and Mono Cases
My neck is solid as a rock. I barely have to retune my instrument from home to the gig. I had it for a year and half before i had Joey take a look at it. he said the neck has a little bow to it. but the truss rod was all the way off. so he flipped the truss rod and turned it just a little. and last week, another year and half later, i had too much relief in the neck so i flipped the rod back, and now its straight.
its a beautiful thing
its a beautiful thing
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
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- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Check our website here:
http://www.fodera.com/Main/EmailFormTypeGoingsOn.aspx
From there there is a link to Vic's Camp site...
In terms of the Spector, yes, I will be setting up your bass this morning. I am planning to use our Nickel 45-105's with very low action unless I hear otherwise. If you want anything different, just drop us a line at the shop at:
[email protected]
Cheers!
http://www.fodera.com/Main/EmailFormTypeGoingsOn.aspx
From there there is a link to Vic's Camp site...
In terms of the Spector, yes, I will be setting up your bass this morning. I am planning to use our Nickel 45-105's with very low action unless I hear otherwise. If you want anything different, just drop us a line at the shop at:
[email protected]
Cheers!
Could you fill me in more on what the camp is like? How do i sign up? and about how much does it cost? (I need to know so i can start working and saving haha) I would really love to go to Vics Camp as i am already in Nashville, and i moved here to play bass! I recieved my 83 classic from my mother and my bass teacher for 9 years(David Stanley), as a 21st birthday/ audio-engineering graduation gift, after i moved up here. Best birthday possible.... hands down.
Im rediculously excited about the Spector, honestly i dont know how i talked my dad into bidding on it. He is very supportive of me collecting instruments, especially true pieces of artwork, but this one just takes the cake, the history behind it is awesome. Im already itching to play it but because my father lives in Texas, and I live in Tennessee, it may b closer to christmas when i get to spend some time with it. He actually asked me the other day how i wanted it strung and set up. Would that be you setting it up? If so id much rather talk directly to you guys as my dad isnt really a player hes just a great appreciater, and im not sure how well he works as a mediator on this subject
sorry bout the lengthy responce, just enjoy the company of other enthusiast!
I agree with the Pontif and Jason... The neck on number 11 is incredibly stable I've gone on vacation for 2 weeks, come back and it is in tune. amazing. New Mexico has a very dry stable climate which I am sure helps but, I have found that even going out to Vic's camp to some serious Nashville humidity doesn't seem to affect it much.
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