Was at their booth today at NAMM. Most basses had a big SOLD sign on them. And it was so mobbed most of the time you couldn't actually get in there to try one out!
I'll try again tomorrow.
I'll try again tomorrow.
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Me too.. the thought of a Garrison Standard was initially tempting but on reflection didn't make sense, as I have an MG6 on the way. As you say "don't want to ruin any surprises" but it would be great if they went for an AJ contrabass (the original) double cutaway, wouldn't it?
BTW, I saw the last in the Sherlock series last Sunday and I won't blow it for anyone but I was a bit gutted about the ending, but apparently all is not as it seems. Discussions are in the process for series 3...Nuff said.
Tom7
I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)
Kudos to Fodera for MGS. First standard model that tempted me. If I didn't have one in the pipeline that is very similar, I'd have bought one immediately!
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
They should not be impacted. Our decisions about how to grow our production have assumed that most of growth comes from the Standard models and not a vast increase in the number of our Custom Shop instruments that we build. The sequence of introducing each Standard was determined two years ago, but the timing of releasing each model has been left to the collective thinking of all of us here to ensure that we can continue to hit the Production dates promised to our customers for Custom instruments when they placed their orders. All of this said, I'd like to clarify a few points...
1. You could certainly make the argument that if we had never introduced the Standards, we could actually accelerate the production of the Custom instruments and get them to customers sooner than we promised. However, one of my big jobs here at Fodera is to work to balance everything and while using our increased capacity to do this would have been pleasing to individual custom shop customers, it would be collectively bad as we would have either had to significantly increase custom model pricing or face an unsustainable business model.
2. Since the original schedule that we made back in July of 2009, we have collectively lost roughly 2 - 2.5 months compared to our original projected delivery dates. That is to say, on average we are delivering custom instruments roughly 2 - 2.5 months later than we promised that we would back in July 2009. While this is NOT something we are happy with (we'd rather be on or ahead of schedule), it is pretty phenomenal in the world of high-end custom building and certainly compared to the black hole that we were before 2009.
3. Most of the delay in the Custom Shop's builds comes from the sheer complexity of some of the orders and the fact that as a Company that went from having no scheduling of builds to one that religiously follows a linear schedule, we just didn't correctly anticipate all of the time it would take for each bass. And, when you are committed to being as nearly perfect as humanly possible, shortening build times on complex instruments just DOES NOT HAPPEN.
4. As a counter-point to point number 3, we released the YYS at last year's NAMM and, since they are a completely predictable build that does not vary, we are ahead of schedule on those and have been since delivering the first one roughly two week early -- a probably first in Fodera history.
So, this was a long winded answer, but I thought that some background and insight into our thinking made more sense than just saying "the Standards should not have a material impact on the delivery dates of our custom orders."
Hope this all makes sense!
Regards,
J
1. You could certainly make the argument that if we had never introduced the Standards, we could actually accelerate the production of the Custom instruments and get them to customers sooner than we promised. However, one of my big jobs here at Fodera is to work to balance everything and while using our increased capacity to do this would have been pleasing to individual custom shop customers, it would be collectively bad as we would have either had to significantly increase custom model pricing or face an unsustainable business model.
2. Since the original schedule that we made back in July of 2009, we have collectively lost roughly 2 - 2.5 months compared to our original projected delivery dates. That is to say, on average we are delivering custom instruments roughly 2 - 2.5 months later than we promised that we would back in July 2009. While this is NOT something we are happy with (we'd rather be on or ahead of schedule), it is pretty phenomenal in the world of high-end custom building and certainly compared to the black hole that we were before 2009.
3. Most of the delay in the Custom Shop's builds comes from the sheer complexity of some of the orders and the fact that as a Company that went from having no scheduling of builds to one that religiously follows a linear schedule, we just didn't correctly anticipate all of the time it would take for each bass. And, when you are committed to being as nearly perfect as humanly possible, shortening build times on complex instruments just DOES NOT HAPPEN.
4. As a counter-point to point number 3, we released the YYS at last year's NAMM and, since they are a completely predictable build that does not vary, we are ahead of schedule on those and have been since delivering the first one roughly two week early -- a probably first in Fodera history.
So, this was a long winded answer, but I thought that some background and insight into our thinking made more sense than just saying "the Standards should not have a material impact on the delivery dates of our custom orders."
Hope this all makes sense!
Regards,
J
Jason,
I'm wondering with the additional 31 MGS coming into the delivery schedule in 2012 what will happen to the delivery schedules of the vast amounts of customs already on order?
Will they be pushed back and if so what will be the impact?
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
We definitely have limits and, most importantly, we have spent serious time figuring out what they are and have no plans to try to exceed them. The Custom Shop volume is self-limiting as we know the number of builds that we can do annually and as we add each new order to the end of the schedule, if orders are outpacing deliveries, the wait times will increase and become a self-limiting feedback loop. Right now we are running at roughly 17-18 months for delivering a new custom order. This is down from the 24-27 months that we were at when we first formed our partnership in October of 2010.
For the Standards, this is why we chose to build them in finite batches rather than just introducing them as "stock instruments." The build of each one has been placed into our overall production schedule to ensure that, barring things outside of our control, we can meet our delivery targets for ALL of our instruments.
As a person I am fanatical about deadlines and, hopefully, a lot of this has been infused into our culture. That said, I remain a craftsman at heart and we will ALWAYS delay a delivery rather than deliver something that's not as close to perfect as we can make it...so there will be times where delays happen. That's just the nature of the beast when building at this level...
J
For the Standards, this is why we chose to build them in finite batches rather than just introducing them as "stock instruments." The build of each one has been placed into our overall production schedule to ensure that, barring things outside of our control, we can meet our delivery targets for ALL of our instruments.
As a person I am fanatical about deadlines and, hopefully, a lot of this has been infused into our culture. That said, I remain a craftsman at heart and we will ALWAYS delay a delivery rather than deliver something that's not as close to perfect as we can make it...so there will be times where delays happen. That's just the nature of the beast when building at this level...
J
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Every Standard sold has been at List Price. The only way the economic model works is for the Street Price to be the same as the List price on the Standards...these are not high margin instruments for us...
- Aug 21, 2008
- 1,168
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- Endorsing Artist : Fodera Guitars , Harvest fine leather bags & straps
Jason, I'm glad I waited 15 years to order an instrument from Vinny and Joey. Just glad you are involved with the business.
Todd,
I laughed at your 'pure sex' comment about your YYD neck joint! I have to say that that was THE first thing I noticed when I got mine! The joinery was (is) flawless, like one piece of wood, and it just flows into your hand like nothing else I have ever tried (not that I have a huge experience bass). But I would agree 100% with your assessment of the neck joint. Your YYD, with that top, is just over the top, sir! Best of health in playing it.
And wow, with the new standard being announced, ANOTHER bass that's competing with my on-order custom. Oh well, I'm happy knowing mine will be just THAT much more special to me, 'cause it's MINE!
Oh, Todd...with this last little blip in your personal bass scene, what is your stable of Fodera's (and others, for that matter) going to look like when all the dust settles?
I laughed at your 'pure sex' comment about your YYD neck joint! I have to say that that was THE first thing I noticed when I got mine! The joinery was (is) flawless, like one piece of wood, and it just flows into your hand like nothing else I have ever tried (not that I have a huge experience bass). But I would agree 100% with your assessment of the neck joint. Your YYD, with that top, is just over the top, sir! Best of health in playing it.
And wow, with the new standard being announced, ANOTHER bass that's competing with my on-order custom. Oh well, I'm happy knowing mine will be just THAT much more special to me, 'cause it's MINE!
Oh, Todd...with this last little blip in your personal bass scene, what is your stable of Fodera's (and others, for that matter) going to look like when all the dust settles?
AMEN, Jason. As a Fodera custom bass owner and customer with another custom bass on order, I am 110% behind this thinking. Of course, as the days get closer to a promised delivery date, if the date slips, even a little, there will be disappointment. But not NEARLY the disappointment that would be present were the instrument to be one whisker less than that expected of a Fodera. I know that feeling well, given my YYD was a week or so later than anticipated due to a few extra coats of clear. A problem...NO. Don't EVER supplant due dates with a reduction in quality. It's the hallmark of Fodera. If I have to wait an extra 2-3 or more months, so be it. It's not like I'm going anywhere...
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Curt and 5stringdan...thanks so much for the kind words. We really have a wonderful team of people here and I never feel like my work at Fodera is "work." Being involved here and helping to make positive change each and every day is a very special gift that I have been given and it always makes me smile when people notice that we are, indeed, improving.
It should go like this:
On Sunday I bring home the YYD and Monarch 4 (curly walnut CPO). They will join the YYS which is currently up for sale (hey, a guy's gotta eat). I have a Rob Allen Deep 5 and Rob is finishing a Deep 4 this month.
I've got a custom shop Monarch on order, but that's a long way out.
I ordered the MGS so that should show up this summer.
The plan long term is to have the YYD and a 4-string Monarch along with the MGS for doing certain things.
I must add the kudos to everyone at Fodera, and say that Jason is flat out awesome to deal with. There really is a "family feel" to the whole experience that is rare in today's world.
These are points that one really doesn't "get" until they play one imho. I've never been a fan of EMG pups either, though I am a total PJ guy. I also have never liked 1.5" nut necks, and was also not much of a slap player. Right before I got the YYS I had a *really* nice Fender AmDlxP. As in boutique-quality nice (and had owned Sadowsky, Nordstrand, Roscoe, Lull, etc). And I was quite happy with it. Then I played the YYS. Suddenly the Fender was up for sale and my gear search lurched in a direction I had not predicted. The Pope/EMG combination is quite incredible. Frankly when I went to check out the YYS I did not want to like it. I had talked myself out of the bass multiple times and was totally ready to pick it up, play it, say, "meh" and go about my life. The bass had other ideas...
So now I own 3 Foderas and have 2 on order. I guess things didn't go according to plan. Well, maybe according to Jason's plan
Exciting stuff going on at Fodera these days!
I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm seriously considering ordering another Fodera. I've always said I wouldn't deal with the black hole/drama of the ordering process -- but Jason seems to have a legit process wrapped around it now.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm seriously considering ordering another Fodera. I've always said I wouldn't deal with the black hole/drama of the ordering process -- but Jason seems to have a legit process wrapped around it now.
So now I own 3 Foderas and have 2 on order. I guess things didn't go according to plan. Well, maybe according to Jason's plan
Todd,
I guess I consider it an honor, and a pleasure, to have watched your 'conversion' to Fodera-hood, particularly given that it corresponded exactly to mine. While nowhere near your level, either in terms of basses or talent/skill, it's cool to watch someone else go through the same kind of thing.
I have a big B-day coming up in about 18 months. My wife suggested ordering a "nice" bass (like I need another one of those!)
I would order a 34" scale Imperial 5 w/ single coils. I'd have to think about the body/fingerboard woods a bit.
It would be a nice compliment to my other three Foderas.
I'm also thinking either a Smith or another Alleva would make nice B-day gifts as well... Interestingly enough, my wife actually spoke to Jimmy already -- so that could be promising!
I would order a 34" scale Imperial 5 w/ single coils. I'd have to think about the body/fingerboard woods a bit.
It would be a nice compliment to my other three Foderas.
I'm also thinking either a Smith or another Alleva would make nice B-day gifts as well... Interestingly enough, my wife actually spoke to Jimmy already -- so that could be promising!
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