Fodera Club Part X

[ian_s]

Dunno, Tom Clement seems to do them very nicely. Nothing inherently neck-thru about a single-cut.

I need to turn off the web browser when NAMM starts. The 15 should be gone in a week and it'll be safe to read TB again.

 

[curt basner]

Thanks to those who answered by extender tuner question. What I forgot to mention is that I'm getting a 34" scale, in case that perks up any additional replies.

 

[nostatic]

My Deep 5 is a single-cut bolt-on. My hunch is that it takes a bit more care to get it just right if you're hand shaping everything.

Curt, no experience with a drop tuner on a B-string. I really don't like them as my brain gets mushy just pondering having to rethink my notes/positions and whether it is down or not. I'm just a simple country doctor

 

[steubig]

Thanks to those who answered by extender tuner question. What I forgot to mention is that I'm getting a 34" scale, in case that perks up any additional replies.

for what it's worth, i think anthony jackson uses a drop A on his low B. i know that's probably on a 36 (though i heard he's going back to 34??is that right?)

also, i recall talking to matthew garrison and him saying that he had his low E dropping to a low C.

 

[TapyTap]

for what it's worth, i think anthony jackson uses a drop A on his low B. i know that's probably on a 36 (though i heard he's going back to 34??is that right?)

Where did you hear that Anthony Jackson is going back to a 34" scale?

 

[steubig]

Where did you hear that Anthony Jackson is going back to a 34" scale?

don't recall.somewhere here on tb? probably bs.

 

[TapyTap]

don't recall.somewhere here on tb? probably bs.

Well, I'm sure we'll find out in time...this definitely seems like the right place to ask. Interesting.

 

[Lennard III.]

Thanks to those who answered by extender tuner question. What I forgot to mention is that I'm getting a 34" scale, in case that perks up any additional replies.

Both of mine are/were 34" !

Both do/did very fine low tuned down B's

 

[Just Thumpin']

For better or worse, you will never again see a $1,500 (or $3,000) bass coming out of Fodera. Now that we have moved the building of everything here to the shop in Brooklyn, those price points just cannot economically happen. When you are building with all custom parts (except for our tuners), using all NY Metro Area, skilled artisan labor, providing health and retirement benefits and doing almost everything by hand with the very finest scarce materials, your ability to serve even the middle market really goes out the window.

That said, for better or worse, our Mission is to build the very highest quality stringed instruments that we are capable of. No compromises, no meeting price points...just getting things as perfect form, feel and tone-wise as we can.

Even the Standards started from asking the question, "if we build these using these techniques and in this volume, what would they cost?" We did not start them by saying "we have to build a bass for $X, how do we do it?"

It is a subtle, but profoundly different approach and one that suits the perfectionist, nut-job mentality that all of us here share (and cherish). Frankly there are a huge number of good builders that through both knowledge of automation and volume of sales will always be able to make (and service) a playable bass for far, far less money than we could ever hope to. We cannot beat them so why even try to join them?

Besides, none of us are personally interested in a making 1,000's of $1,000 basses. We greatly prefer having the time to view every instrument as special and associating it with the many extended members of the Fodera Family that are our customers and friends.

It is a decidedly anachronistic way of doing things, but its one that we hold dear and that we feel the World desperately needs to hold on to. Hopefully we will be able to for a very long time. Certainly all of you are a big part of that.

 

[Lennard III.]

For better or worse, you will never again see a $1,500 (or $3,000) bass coming out of Fodera. Now that we have moved the building of everything here to the shop in Brooklyn, those price points just cannot economically happen. When you are building with all custom parts (except for our tuners), using all NY Metro Area, skilled artisan labor, providing health and retirement benefits and doing almost everything by hand with the very finest scarce materials, your ability to serve even the middle market really goes out the window.

That said, for better or worse, our Mission is to build the very highest quality stringed instruments that we are capable of. No compromises, no meeting price points...just getting things as perfect form, feel and tone-wise as we can.

Even the Standards started from asking the question, "if we build these using these techniques and in this volume, what would they cost?" We did not start them by saying "we have to build a bass for $X, how do we do it?"

It is a subtle, but profoundly different approach and one that suits the perfectionist, nut-job mentality that all of us here share (and cherish). Frankly there are a huge number of good builders that through both knowledge of automation and volume of sales will always be able to make (and service) a playable bass for far, far less money than we could ever hope to. We cannot beat them so why even try to join them?

Besides, none of us are personally interested in a making 1,000's of $1,000 basses. We greatly prefer having the time to view every instrument as special and associating it with the many extended members of the Fodera Family that are our customers and friends.

It is a decidedly anarchistic way of doing things, but its one that we hold dear and that we feel the World desperately needs to hold on to. Hopefully we will be able to for a very long time. Certainly all of you are a big part of that.

1+ on that !

 

[KoaFodera]

For better or worse, you will never again see a $1,500 (or $3,000) bass coming out of Fodera. Now that we have moved the building of everything here to the shop in Brooklyn, those price points just cannot economically happen. When you are building with all custom parts (except for our tuners), using all NY Metro Area, skilled artisan labor, providing health and retirement benefits and doing almost everything by hand with the very finest scarce materials, your ability to serve even the middle market really goes out the window.

That said, for better or worse, our Mission is to build the very highest quality stringed instruments that we are capable of. No compromises, no meeting price points...just getting things as perfect form, feel and tone-wise as we can.

Even the Standards started from asking the question, "if we build these using these techniques and in this volume, what would they cost?" We did not start them by saying "we have to build a bass for $X, how do we do it?"

It is a subtle, but profoundly different approach and one that suits the perfectionist, nut-job mentality that all of us here share (and cherish). Frankly there are a huge number of good builders that through both knowledge of automation and volume of sales will always be able to make (and service) a playable bass for far, far less money than we could ever hope to. We cannot beat them so why even try to join them?

Besides, none of us are personally interested in a making 1,000's of $1,000 basses. We greatly prefer having the time to view every instrument as special and associating it with the many extended members of the Fodera Family that are our customers and friends.

It is a decidedly anarchistic way of doing things, but its one that we hold dear and that we feel the World desperately needs to hold on to. Hopefully we will be able to for a very long time. Certainly all of you are a big part of that.

Hey, I subscribe to that too. Well spoken Jason. We're behind you 100%.

 

[Just Thumpin']

Thanks, BTW, peppering my prose with big words got the better of me...the last paragraph had the word anarchistic by mistake instead of anachronistic...sorry! That's what happens when you use SAT words before breakfast. LOL!!

Hey, I subscribe to that too. Well spoken Jason. We're behind you 100%.

 

[CH Design]

Up to now there was always the opportunity to buy a NYC Fodera which was the lower cost Fodera, albeit partly made in Japan. They even had tops for less money. Why didnt you go for that?

How low do we want Brooklyn made Foderas to go, $1500-$2000? I for one would NOT like to see Foderas made wholly at the custom shop in Brooklyn to go to basement "hang on the wall en mass at Guitar Center" prices(even if they could do that and not go out of buisness). It lowers the real value of the brand and cheapens it. Not good for the thousands of owners, for people in line to own, and for the company. Plus they dont seem to have to do that and God bless them for having the demand. Probebly a reflection of the level of work, designs, and quality they produce along with other factors.

The idea , I think, is to offer a better price ( not a cheap one ) on existing custom models to help people who can get into the elite bass market, really want one of the Fodera custom models, but dont need the customization. They now can benefit from the shop not having to customize. I think its a win- win for everyone who does not expect Fodera to make a bass in the $1500-$2500 price point. I'm glad they are making another Standard thats based on a more expensive custom model.

For better or worse, you will never again see a $1,500 (or $3,000) bass coming out of Fodera. Now that we have moved the building of everything here to the shop in Brooklyn, those price points just cannot economically happen. When you are building with all custom parts (except for our tuners), using all NY Metro Area, skilled artisan labor, providing health and retirement benefits and doing almost everything by hand with the very finest scarce materials, your ability to serve even the middle market really goes out the window.

That said, for better or worse, our Mission is to build the very highest quality stringed instruments that we are capable of. No compromises, no meeting price points...just getting things as perfect form, feel and tone-wise as we can.

Even the Standards started from asking the question, "if we build these using these techniques and in this volume, what would they cost?" We did not start them by saying "we have to build a bass for $X, how do we do it?"

It is a subtle, but profoundly different approach and one that suits the perfectionist, nut-job mentality that all of us here share (and cherish). Frankly there are a huge number of good builders that through both knowledge of automation and volume of sales will always be able to make (and service) a playable bass for far, far less money than we could ever hope to. We cannot beat them so why even try to join them?

Besides, none of us are personally interested in a making 1,000's of $1,000 basses. We greatly prefer having the time to view every instrument as special and associating it with the many extended members of the Fodera Family that are our customers and friends.

It is a decidedly anarchistic way of doing things, but its one that we hold dear and that we feel the World desperately needs to hold on to. Hopefully we will be able to for a very long time. Certainly all of you are a big part of that.

I'm not sure why you jumped to the conclusion that I was implying I wanted to see Fodera's hanging on the wall at GC selling for the same price point as mass produced basses. If that's how my post read, I appologize.

I was just commenting that I think they could make a slightly lower cost addition to the Standard series of basses. I didn't mean in the $1500 - $2000 range. I know that the Fodera team has put a lot of work and thought into make the Standard basses at a lower price point without sacraficing on quality. Quality, in my opinion is what makes a Fodera a Fodera. It's more than a shape or a butterfly on the headstock. It just seemed like if they offered the same basses (YYS, ES5) without the fancy tops (and paint in the case of the the YYS) the prices could be reduced a little further while still keeping in line with the Mission of Fodera and the Standard series.

In any case, it really doesn't matter. Even if they offered a Standard that was closer to $4K it would still be overkill for my needs but may be more accessable for others.

 

[Just Thumpin']

Please don't take my response personally. Your question was a very good one and one that should be asked! We ask it of ourselves every time we sit down to talk strategy. I just wanted to (publicly) share how we answer it every time we ask it.

I will say that down the road there will be one more Standard that will retail for less than the YYS, but it will not be introduced until either later 2012 or at NAMM in 2013...

Kindest regards,

J

I'm not sure why you jumped to the conclusion that I was implying I wanted to see Fodera's hanging on the wall at GC selling for the same price point as mass produced basses. If that's how my post read, I appologize.

I was just commenting that I think they could make a slightly lower cost addition to the Standard series of basses. I didn't mean in the $1500 - $2000 range. I know that the Fodera team has put a lot of work and thought into make the Standard basses at a lower price point without sacraficing on quality. Quality, in my opinion is what makes a Fodera a Fodera. It's more than a shape or a butterfly on the headstock. It just seemed like if they offered the same basses (YYS, ES5) without the fancy tops (and paint in the case of the the YYS) the prices could be reduced a little further while still keeping in line with the Mission of Fodera and the Standard series.

In any case, it really doesn't matter. Even if they offered a Standard that was closer to $4K it would still be overkill for my needs but may be more accessable for others.

 

[nostatic]

It is a subtle, but profoundly different approach and one that suits the perfectionist, nut-job mentality that all of us here share (and cherish).

Hey, who you callin' a nut-job?

Oh wait, my therapist is on the phone...brb.

 

[Just Thumpin']

LOL...all it takes is one hang at Fodera to know that it can apply to any of us!!!

J

Hey, who you callin' a nut-job?

Oh wait, my therapist is on the phone...brb.

 

[jumbodbassman]

not the cat

 

[steubig]

LOL...all it takes is one hang at Fodera to know that it can apply to any of us!!!

J

huh. when i visited, i thought you guys were all extremely norbal.




not a typo.

 

[tomika]

Woooww, what a beauty... I think it's the most worse copy in the world. Sorry guys, but I'm shocked....

Link Removed

 

[Andy Brown]

Actually it will go live on the website at EXACTLY the same moment that we announce it at NAMM so no one has any disadvantage. This go around, however, there will only be 15 of the new Standard model released...

Are you announcing at the booth? I'll have to make it over at 5PM on Thursday.

BTW - if indeed you are announcing a Garrison standard, I'll have cash in hand.