Fodera Club Part XI

[Lugzy]

I've used iGig bags for the last couple years and have been as happy as I can imagine. I've flown with them a number of times, too (onto plane, putting it in the coat closet; not checked in!). Couldn't be happier. I like Mono cases, too- I just happened to get iGig first.

I'm not so much into the leather bags. Not enough protection for me.

Wow - Until now I've never gassed for a gig bag but these leather bags are killing me. That LM19 isn't a bad price either (at least the black one isn't.)

Any other finish apart from the Black LM19, and your looking at a considerable price hike, but it's a great bag.

Angus, I'm inclined to agree with you, I think the issue is about the padding; it may not be as thick as I'd like, plus I wonder how good is protection for the heel. Sometimes the bass gets a bump on the rear and It's reassuring knowing there's a little more protection in that area.

 

[curt basner]

Since I mentioned the SKB molded case (3i-5014) earlier in this thread, now I"m wondering if anyone has ever gotten one for a Fodera. As I also already wrote, I got one of these cases that was specifically made for a Stratocaster, and it's a GREAT case! I know they make one of these specially for a Fender Jazz/Precision Bass, and I would feel 100% confident that such a case would be perfect for a Fender. However, not sure how secure of a fit (either too loose, or potentially too tight and causing excessive rubbing) with a 'generic fit' version that I'm sure I would need to get for a Fodera. Anybody have any experience?

 

[nostatic]

I had the SKB molded case that came with the Fender AmDlxP. It is the rectangular one with TSA locks. I flew my Rob Allen in that with no issues (it has an angled headstock). It was a little loose but I packed some of my shirts in there so no issues. I likely will pick one up when I have to fly in a few months.

My biggest issue is with the angled headstock in the gig bag. With a flat headstock (like the YYS or most other bolt-on basses) it doesn't really matter. But with the angled the tip of the headstock ends up being a contact point unless the neck block padding is thick enough. So then you have one end of the body and the tip of the headstock taking the hit is something gets whacked - not good imho.

The Mono doesn't have very stiff siding, and even though it has a neck block the headstock grounds on the base of the gig bag. With the double and two angled headstock basses they both are touching. The Portabag has a stiffer side and iirc a taller neck block. I don't recall the RA headstock touching. The thing I didn't like about the Portabag was the neck retaining piece was a tad short for a 5-string. And for probably 90% of my gigs I'm taking two instruments so I'd rather have a double.

Going to try and get a look at an Undercover and if that doesn't work iGig will likely be the next target. Since I load in/out myself I don't feel the need to use cases (especially since I'm doing it 100+ times a year) - gig bags are just so much easier to deal with around town. I just want to not have my CDO spinning on thoughts of the neck snapping when it gets accidentally dropped

 

[Lincoln]

Anyone have an idea what a walnut core bass with Mahogany sandwiching it might sound like? Given those two tonewoods properties, could they equate to ash?
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[jumbodbassman]

FWIW since 83 my brazilian rosewood monarch has taken a few nose dives off stands and the necks held true each time. nothing like an old gibson.....
i wouldn't advise testing it out but the headstock joint(forgot what it is called right now...) is very strong. 50/50 with gig bags cases thru the years...

 

[Robin Ruscio]

I picked up the Mono double case last year and was just thinking on my way into my gig this morning how much I appreciate it being light and comfy. I have some complaints as well, like no handle on the front. I do like being able to get to each bass separately.

Unrelated, I had long chat with Glenn from Austin bass traders yesterday- talk about a knowledgable guy about Foderas and basses in general. I've been considering a bass made for me since the Fodera I own currently I bought used and while it's close to what I want it's not exactly the perfect tone woods for me, though it sounds really amazing. I'd like something very versatile and with some sweet highs and deep lows, open, and grounded in the traditional bass guitar tones of Fender.

Here were some specs I was considering:
Imperial Elite 5
Walnut Top (Crotch most likely)
Ash Body/ Maple tone block
Brazilian Rosewood board, 3 piece maple neck
35"
Duncan duals

Any thoughts on the this spec or anyone played one close to this? I thought the fingerboard with ash body should be a really a nice combo.

I'm having a Callowhill Junk 5 made with this ash/brazilian rosewood combo as we speak, minus the walnut, but it's a bolt on and with Nordstrand Big Singles and for gigs that would require a more vintage tone. I told Glenn I would want to wait and see how this other bass works and maybe it would be fun to have another instrument with the same woods from opposite ends of the bass world.

 

[Kwesi]

Going to try and get a look at an Undercover and if that doesn't work iGig will likely be the next target. Since I load in/out myself I don't feel the need to use cases (especially since I'm doing it 100+ times a year) - gig bags are just so much easier to deal with around town. I just want to not have my CDO spinning on thoughts of the neck snapping when it gets accidentally dropped

I know I'm going to sound like a raving fanboy here but I've got to do it, lol.

iGig bags have a pillow for the neck to do exactly what you're trying to do. It allows the headstock to "float" so that during any sort of impact, it's less likely to take any damage. Of course there's tons of padding around it as well.

Link Removed

Link Removed

 

[Angus]

Although what you don't see in the pictures is that most singlecut basses don't fit very well onto the neck pillow. My MG5 and my Benavente have to have the pillow angled so that the body isn't touching it. It's just a bit too long, honestly- since most necks have some backward angle to them, the long flat pillow actually causes the end of the body to pick up a bit.

I've never actually had any problems with it, but a neck pillow that was about 2/3 that length would work just as well.

 

[gai113]

Reunion blues has best gig bags.. they threw it off the top of a building and bass didn't get scratched

 

[Angus]

Reunion blues has best gig bags.. they threw it off the top of a building and bass didn't get scratched

...which is a perfectly realistic scenario- part of the usual gig travel experience.

I think there are more important criteria to assess "best bag" that hucking a bagged bass off a building.

 

[gai113]

...which is a perfectly realistic scenario, part of the usual gig travel experience.

I think there are more important criteria to assess "best bag" that hucking a bagged bass off a building.

if it can withstand that chances are it will survive a "perfectly realistic or unrealistic scenario"...

Reunion Blues Continential Cases for Musical Instruments
some more info from their website...

Anthony turned me onto them he uses them as well....

I have loved mine .. i have the RB continental.. was under $200 also...!

oh best is subjective btw

 

[metallutca]

Check this out. Seems pretty cool but I'm not sure if it can hold an angled headstock properly tough...

The Perfect Bass Direct from NAMM 2012 - New for 2012 from MONO Cases: The Vertigo - YouTube

 

[Just Thumpin']

This combination would sound a lot warmer than Ash and be more pronounced in the mids...There is no "sandwich" that I can think of that would approriately mimic Ash...

Sorry.

J

Anyone have an idea what a walnut core bass with Mahogany sandwiching it might sound like? Given those two tonewoods properties, could they equate to ash?
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[Angus]

Check this out. Seems pretty cool but I'm not sure if it can hold an angled headstock properly tough...

The Perfect Bass Direct from NAMM 2012 - New for 2012 from MONO Cases: The Vertigo - YouTube

That kind of setup actually holds an angled headstock away from the faces of the bag, so it's better. But their standard case (with the pillow and strap) is a much more universally-useful setup because it can hold most reasonably sized basses. The molded support setup in the bag you linked to looks like it could only really fit the neck of a 4 string bass.

 

[Lincoln]

This combination would sound a lot warmer than Ash and be more pronounced in the mids...There is no "sandwich" that I can think of that would approriately mimic Ash...

Sorry.

J

Thanks! that's great info!

 

[Robin Ruscio]

This combination would sound a lot warmer than Ash and be more pronounced in the mids...There is no "sandwich" that I can think of that would approriately mimic Ash...

Sorry.

J

Jason,

Dou find basses with back get more compressed sounding in general as you add layers?

Also, what did you think of my build specs I was considering? Braz. Rosewood board, maple neck, walnut top, ash body, maple block.

 

[Phil Smith]

I had the SKB molded case that came with the Fender AmDlxP. It is the rectangular one with TSA locks. I flew my Rob Allen in that with no issues (it has an angled headstock). It was a little loose but I packed some of my shirts in there so no issues. I likely will pick one up when I have to fly in a few months.

My biggest issue is with the angled headstock in the gig bag. With a flat headstock (like the YYS or most other bolt-on basses) it doesn't really matter. But with the angled the tip of the headstock ends up being a contact point unless the neck block padding is thick enough. So then you have one end of the body and the tip of the headstock taking the hit is something gets whacked - not good imho.

The Mono doesn't have very stiff siding, and even though it has a neck block the headstock grounds on the base of the gig bag. With the double and two angled headstock basses they both are touching. The Portabag has a stiffer side and iirc a taller neck block. I don't recall the RA headstock touching. The thing I didn't like about the Portabag was the neck retaining piece was a tad short for a 5-string. And for probably 90% of my gigs I'm taking two instruments so I'd rather have a double.

Going to try and get a look at an Undercover and if that doesn't work iGig will likely be the next target. Since I load in/out myself I don't feel the need to use cases (especially since I'm doing it 100+ times a year) - gig bags are just so much easier to deal with around town. I just want to not have my CDO spinning on thoughts of the neck snapping when it gets accidentally dropped

From my own practical experience, the thing you want to worry about when a bag falls is a tuner breaking. This happened to me while using the Portabag. My AtelierZ 6 was in it at the time and the backpack strap malfunctioned. The bag hit the ground as I was pulling it out of my car and one of the tuners broke. We're not talking about a huge impact here but it may be a common type of impact that you will encounter.

 

[lamarjones]

My issue with iGigs is the front pocket, not as large as I like them and papers ended up being cramped. I think it should be standard to always compensate for 8.5x11 in a comfy manner.

 

[Just Thumpin']

We are of the firm opinion here at Fodera that the less glue (in general), the better. I am not really sure that I would call the change in the tone "compression" as much as just a loss in the overall open resonance of the instrument and the speed with which it excites when the string is played.

As far as the spec that you listed...I think it sounds great but would personally substitute an Alder or Mahogany Tone block for the Maple. Although Flamed Maple is BEAUTIFUL, it does not add as much tonal complexity to the instruments as the other materials that I mentioned. Remember, you already have the Maple neck...why add more Maple when you can add greater complexity with another material...just a thought.

Jason,

Dou find basses with back get more compressed sounding in general as you add layers?

Also, what did you think of my build specs I was considering? Braz. Rosewood board, maple neck, walnut top, ash body, maple block.

 

[Robin Ruscio]

We are of the firm opinion here at Fodera that the less glue (in general), the better. I am not really sure that I would call the change in the tone "compression" as much as just a loss in the overall open resonance of the instrument and the speed with which it excites when the string is played.

As far as the spec that you listed...I think it sounds great but would personally substitute an Alder or Mahogany Tone block for the Maple. Although Flamed Maple is BEAUTIFUL, it does not add as much tonal complexity to the instruments as the other materials that I mentioned. Remember, you already have the Maple neck...why add more Maple when you can add greater complexity with another material...just a thought.

I actually was less sure about the maple tone block and agree that a little more complexity would be good. The maple block was Glenn's suggestion.

I like both mahogany and alder and had thought about those two as well. That would be a tough choice as they both might help mellow out the ash a little further since I don't want the bass to get too bright. I could see alder giving the bass a really nice vintage vibe and kind of splitting the difference with the two basic Fender wood configurations. On the other hand, my current bass has a mahogany body and it does have a nice neutral kind of sound as well. I'm sure the difference between the two would be subtle.

I can see what you're saying about basses with too many layers loosing their openness. (I'm thinking of my experiences with lots of Ken Smiths that I owned.) Do you find a similar thing happening a Fodera with a 5 piece neck (i.e maple/purpleheart) ? I appreciate the increased stability and appearance, but have thought it might inhibit it from vibrating as freely.

One other option I was talking with Glenn about that he thought might not be too crazy would be to do a 26 fret (or even 28) board with the Pope removable fingerboard. Mike really is on too something there with the slap tones, IMHO, and solve the 21 fret slap/24 fret finger style preference I certainly share with him. I would love to have the extended range but hate to give up the slap options. I'm sure it's not cheap but it could really make a the instrument that much more versatile.