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TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
Steuart, I've gotta say man, I used to feel that way. I've learned that, as far as music is concerned, working on my playing and continuing to play with better and better players, that's where I find my happiness now. It used to be gear. Turns out that was just a distraction. I still like thinking about attaining the sound that I imagine, but I'm learning to work with what I have until I can afford that search again. Buying a new bass would mean finding gigs I either don't want to play or even taking a part time job. One way or the other that takes away from working on furthering my musicianship. My sound is good as it is. I'm not completely happy (as you know) but it's something I can work with. My bass plays unbelievably well so that I'm very thankful for. In the end I'll have to have a new bass built though. Our personal sound is so important. All of my favorite players have "a sound" and I know them as soon as I hear them. Part of that is the actual sound of the instrument. In that regard I agree, it's only money.
Is Bernie still following this thread? Seems like he had a production slot for a Fodera and I was wondering if there were any updates on that.
A Bass = "A lifetime of happiness"??
well, i admit to being somewhat flip in my original statement, but i stand by the basic premise.
it's not about the gear, per se (andy, this gets to what you're saying, which i totally get), it's about the musical bond that one gets with one's instrument.
ya know, people probably blanched when i bought my fodera for $1,800 back in 1985, but i've had it since then and it's been my companion and muse for many, many musical endeavors.
that's the longhand version of what i'm trying to say.
Perfectly said Steuart. In my case I've very much bonded with my bass, but it'll never achieve the sound that I ultimately want. I'm happy for now until I can afford the correct bass.
Sounds like a good balance all around.
Sometimes I almost feel guilty with the luck I've had with the instruments I own. I have bonded with so many more than I thought possible years ago.
Sometimes I almost feel guilty with the luck I've had with the instruments I own. I have bonded with so many more than I thought possible years ago.
Sometimes I almost feel guilty with the luck I've had with the instruments I own. I have bonded with so many more than I thought possible years ago.
Hi Rich,
I've been laying low when it comes to posting on TB these days but I have been keeping up with my favorite threads and was pleasantly surprised to see my name come up when I was reading through the thread. I appreciate the thought.
I have talked to Jason about a bass but I have not yet made the jump in securing a slot. When I do, it will be a great day. Not completely sure when that'll be yet but I certainly look forward to it. I'm preaching to the choir but a Fodera is a rare instrument; a true hallmark of the craft. I'll be extremely honored to one day own such a work of functional and inspirational art.
As I type this, I'm listening to Anthony Jackson play with Hiromi Uehara and Simon Phillips on Hiromi's new 'Voice' album. Anthony has and always will be Anthony but what a voice his Contrabass has given him. Incredible.
So, in short, no slot yet but I'm working towards one. I'll be sure to update when that time finally arrives.
Tom7
I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)
A Bass = "A lifetime of happiness"??
A lot of wisdom right there in those 3 comments.
Part of it hearkens back to that age-old debate: Is happiness a destination? Or a journey? I'm with emjazz in that I believe the journey counts more.
I'm also with steubig in that I believe that, while you may pay much more for top quality, at least you pay only once. If you buy something substandard, you pay for it every time you use it.
But you also have to add to the price of a Fodera the opportunity cost before you can really decide if it is worth it. If what you are looking for in your Fodera is worth the price of the bass, plus worth not having the other great basses you could have bought with that money, THEN you know you are buying what you really want.
Some guys want a signature sound from one great bass, some guys want several basses so they can play to several tonal goals. Both sides seem right to me. The important thing is that each bassist is buying and doing what HE wants, and not what they feel pressured to do.
But ultimately cnltb is right: money can't buy happiness. So I'd never cry over not having any material possession, bass or not.
It's like the great philosopher, Marilyn Monroe once said, "Never cry over anything that can't cry over you."
+1 to above. I have owned a long list of good basses before my fodera. My friends think im crazy for buying basses then selling them, but i feel like it was a journey to figure out what i like and dont like. My fodera seems to be the summary of that process. In fact im thinking of getting a second fodera.
for what it's worth, i tend to be pretty processed-based, as opposed to results-based. that is, i get decent at what i'm doing and get bored and want to go onto something else . . . it's all about the striving. so, yeah, gear is NOT the end-all, be-all, but it's nice to have some constants in the journey.
i have a friend who has a 85 fodera 5-string, a gibson ripper and a few teisco del rey basses, but spends most of his time he plays a 60 p-bass . . . wouldn't work for me, but it's brilliant for him.
Quick question on Fodera body shape: of the Imperial, Imperial 2, and Matt Garrison Imperial shapes, which is the most compact? thanks in advance!
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
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- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Matt Garrison Imperial is our most compact shape in its standard form, however, since the are all custom instruments, we can make any body more (or less) compact...
J
J
the playing focus is so much more rewarding. the guys with some visibility right now have much stronger harmonic and rhythmic recognizability than tone imo. you hear the guys with the uber-expensive foderas doing bad janek and garrison impressions and you dont even notice the tone because youre too busy noticing ..........uh.....other stuff
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