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by the way, todd. saw you there. was gonna say hi, but i turned around and you were gone.
took me a while to know it was you cause you don't look a thing like harpo marx.
took me a while to know it was you cause you don't look a thing like harpo marx.
True, but we have similar singing voices...
Ok, I've been spending some quality time with the YYD and have a few thoughts. I'll get it in a mix tomorrow now (and a dense one at that) and I always hesitate to get too detailed until after a bass gets gigged a couple of times.
Probably the biggest question on the mind of some is, "so, is the YYD worth 2.5X the price of the YYS?" And channeling my attorney ex-wife, my answer is, "it depends."
The differences range from significant to subtle to non-existent depending on what you're looking for. The short answer is unless you really need/want extra sublime then the YYS is a killer instrument. If I'd never touched a Deluxe, the YYS would remain my favorite fretted bass I've owned/played.
So the differences. First is the neck joint. Fodera has a very elegant bolt-on joint with the YYS. But the dovetail on the Deluxe? Pure sex. One thing that just slays me on the YYD is the Craftsman (eg Greene and Greene) vibe of the joint. I love that kind of detail. It gives a bit easier access up high on the fretboard which is something I'm working on these days so that also makes me happy.
Second difference is the preamp. I loved the PJ setup with the Pope/NYC 3-band preamp. Great set of tones you can get and the eq is very usable. The Deluxe has the Pope custom shop preamp. It has one extra bit of control (a mid shift switch) and a slightly different sound. It is a bit more open (with a caveat that I'll talk about next) and the eq is a bit more subtle in application.
When comparing the tone, you have to take the woods into account. The main differences are the 3-piece neck vs 1-piece and chambered walnut vs solid alder body. Comparing the two back to back the YYD has a bit more air in the notes and a bit more booty. The YYS is a tad more mid-focused. The good thing is that the Pope preamp will let you eq much of those differences between the two with the exception of the bit of air in the YYD. Hard to describe.
Neck profile is just a tad more svelte on the YYD. Fretwork, etc is superb on both. And of course both come from the same shop with the same great group of people that I'm happy to be associated with. To me the people behind the bass are an important factor and the whole crew at Fodera is as good as it gets.
So for me, since I'm nuts, the YYD is totally worth it. The YYS is an amazing bass. The YYD is sublime. For sane people, no reason to upgrade or be anything but thrilled with the YYS. It really is that good. I just put a fresh set of strings on mine and it kills. But the YYD got into my psyche, and sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
The walnut Monarch should be here Tue
Ok, I've been spending some quality time with the YYD and have a few thoughts. I'll get it in a mix tomorrow now (and a dense one at that) and I always hesitate to get too detailed until after a bass gets gigged a couple of times.
Probably the biggest question on the mind of some is, "so, is the YYD worth 2.5X the price of the YYS?" And channeling my attorney ex-wife, my answer is, "it depends."
The differences range from significant to subtle to non-existent depending on what you're looking for. The short answer is unless you really need/want extra sublime then the YYS is a killer instrument. If I'd never touched a Deluxe, the YYS would remain my favorite fretted bass I've owned/played.
So the differences. First is the neck joint. Fodera has a very elegant bolt-on joint with the YYS. But the dovetail on the Deluxe? Pure sex. One thing that just slays me on the YYD is the Craftsman (eg Greene and Greene) vibe of the joint. I love that kind of detail. It gives a bit easier access up high on the fretboard which is something I'm working on these days so that also makes me happy.
Second difference is the preamp. I loved the PJ setup with the Pope/NYC 3-band preamp. Great set of tones you can get and the eq is very usable. The Deluxe has the Pope custom shop preamp. It has one extra bit of control (a mid shift switch) and a slightly different sound. It is a bit more open (with a caveat that I'll talk about next) and the eq is a bit more subtle in application.
When comparing the tone, you have to take the woods into account. The main differences are the 3-piece neck vs 1-piece and chambered walnut vs solid alder body. Comparing the two back to back the YYD has a bit more air in the notes and a bit more booty. The YYS is a tad more mid-focused. The good thing is that the Pope preamp will let you eq much of those differences between the two with the exception of the bit of air in the YYD. Hard to describe.
Neck profile is just a tad more svelte on the YYD. Fretwork, etc is superb on both. And of course both come from the same shop with the same great group of people that I'm happy to be associated with. To me the people behind the bass are an important factor and the whole crew at Fodera is as good as it gets.
So for me, since I'm nuts, the YYD is totally worth it. The YYS is an amazing bass. The YYD is sublime. For sane people, no reason to upgrade or be anything but thrilled with the YYS. It really is that good. I just put a fresh set of strings on mine and it kills. But the YYD got into my psyche, and sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
The walnut Monarch should be here Tue
KoaFodera
Commercial User
Curt, a few pics below. My personal thoughts on the bass - if you feel at all stretched at 34" scale, then imho this bass with 35" scale and 19mm spacing is not for you. That is a spec I personally won't play these days. That said the numbers only tell part of the story. How "long" a bass plays depends on many factors. Of all the basses I've owned/played, my Rob Allen feels the shortest. The Fodera tends to feel fairly short as well. It has to do with bridge placement, body contours, horn lengths, etc. With all of that it wasn't a bass that I'd buy as a regular player - just too much for me. When I put it down and picked up the Garrison it was night/day.
That said, if you want one to collect or hang on the wall as a piece of art - fire away. Or if you're a 35" scale/19mm spacing guy, get this bass and have the Bosendorfer of B-strings.
Todd,
A great many thanks for the ebony beast impressions. I think it's very clear that it's not the bass for me. I hadn't even considered the string spacing, and I'm quite sure that 19mm on a 5 string is not my bag. Of course, if I was still REALLY pondering it after your post, I'd probably ask Jason if they could swap out the 19mm for a 17.5mm bridge...I have NO IDEA how much, or if, there is a difference between the mounting holes for the two. I'm guessing that with what you had to say, the bass would be too much for me, too. and just so Jason doesn't think he lost a sale because of your 'review', I want him to know that that's not at all the case. In addition to the 'issues' with it, I simply don't have a spare $12K lying around (damn the bad luck!) Regardless, I owe you one for the help in making a decision, here. Thank you!
I loved all the pictures you took of you playing it, and the MGS. I think it's a great help to many to see the basses in the hands of an actual player, to get a better sense of the layout, size, etc. I think you did both myself, and others, a huge favor in that regard.
Lastly, I appreciate your comparison between the YYS and YYD. I guess I'm not surprised with your thoughts at all. I love your use of the language...amazing versus sublime! Outstanding! Being that I am of the over the top in terms just wanting the best of the best, I'm glad to see that you think the D is worth it to those of us who think, well, differently.
I think the "air" you describe is due to the chambered body...I do know that chambering does produce that quality. The bass is gorgeous...I was able to see it on Thursday. Congrats!!
Here is a really quick and dirty comparison. They are more alike than the are different imho. First is the YYS, second is the YYD. Cycling through neck, blend, bridge. The YYS has totally brand new strings with zero time on them. The YYD has been worked over a bit
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I'll have gig recordings next weekend as I have 5 shows in 4 days. Tomorrow night is a rehearsal where I'm fighting with two guitars, keys, and two saxes so that is a good litmus test. I have no fear...
And Curt, I'm pretty sure that Jason will have no problem finding a home for the ebony top bass. I also know he expects me to be pretty open and honest about instruments I play. That is one reason I try to be up front about my biases and preferences as when you get to a certain level of instrument it really becomes about pretty minute details that are almost totally subjective (other than specific specs).
Fwiw I wouldn't think about putting a 17.5mm bridge on that bass either. That thing really doesn't need any changes - just a player that wants that spec and there are plenty of those. I think instruments are best approached as a system, so if you want a 17.5mm bridge, then neck and body should be adjusted accordingly. That's one reason that the MGS feels so damn good. They didn't just make a single change and call it good - instead they consider the goals of the player and then sweat every possible change that can achieve it.
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I'll have gig recordings next weekend as I have 5 shows in 4 days. Tomorrow night is a rehearsal where I'm fighting with two guitars, keys, and two saxes so that is a good litmus test. I have no fear...
And Curt, I'm pretty sure that Jason will have no problem finding a home for the ebony top bass. I also know he expects me to be pretty open and honest about instruments I play. That is one reason I try to be up front about my biases and preferences as when you get to a certain level of instrument it really becomes about pretty minute details that are almost totally subjective (other than specific specs).
Fwiw I wouldn't think about putting a 17.5mm bridge on that bass either. That thing really doesn't need any changes - just a player that wants that spec and there are plenty of those. I think instruments are best approached as a system, so if you want a 17.5mm bridge, then neck and body should be adjusted accordingly. That's one reason that the MGS feels so damn good. They didn't just make a single change and call it good - instead they consider the goals of the player and then sweat every possible change that can achieve it.
Here is a really quick and dirty comparison. They are more alike than the are different imho. First is the YYS, second is the YYD. Cycling through neck, blend, bridge. The YYS has totally brand new strings with zero time on them. The YYD has been worked over a bit
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More difference than I expected actually, but it could be due to the strings. It would be interesting to hear them both in passive mode to see how much sound difference is in the pre-amp.
As I can see those are MG shape, which would be cool to have as another bass tuned B-G with 24 frets...
I'm more into MG shape then into Imperial...
ian_s said:In!
Thanks, nostatic. With all the NAMM buzz, I was feeling ordinary with just my YYS. But for me, it's perfection. 34" scale, 19mm spacing, PJ config, 4 strings. Bass like G-d intended.
Until I decide to start learning fretless.
I love that you have both ends of the bass world spectrum covered. An SX and a Fodera.
The deluxe neck joint is pure hand sex..... Todd knew you would love it.
how bout some rear shots for the new thread.
how bout some rear shots for the new thread.
Todd. I was really trying to not love/want the MGS but i am weakening fast. I am not a huge fan of E-C so question for you and Jason when he gets home - would the MGS work OK if i decide to go B-G. the 17.5mm should not be an issue as i feel the 19MM on my emporer is at the other limit of comfort and other 5's i have owned (mm, Warwick) have been tighter...
BTW BassCentral has a used YYD on sale!
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2011 Model, THIS BASS COULD SELL FOR NEW! Satinwood and Ebony Top, Walnut Body, Maple Neck with Ebony Fingerboard to the 19th Fret and Ebony to the 24th Fret, Ebony Dots, Mother of Pearl Circle Inlay on Fretboard-Ebony Circle Inlay on The Satinwood Part of Top, Gold Hardware, Case. 3-EQ Mike Pope Preamp. This Model Has a 2-3 Year Build Time from Order Date. High Demand / LOW Supply.*One Owner for Only 7 Months! Serial # M43261D. 9 LBS.
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2011 Model, THIS BASS COULD SELL FOR NEW! Satinwood and Ebony Top, Walnut Body, Maple Neck with Ebony Fingerboard to the 19th Fret and Ebony to the 24th Fret, Ebony Dots, Mother of Pearl Circle Inlay on Fretboard-Ebony Circle Inlay on The Satinwood Part of Top, Gold Hardware, Case. 3-EQ Mike Pope Preamp. This Model Has a 2-3 Year Build Time from Order Date. High Demand / LOW Supply.*One Owner for Only 7 Months! Serial # M43261D. 9 LBS.
Jason would have a better answer for you. I have never played E-C but given some directions I want to go with my playing it makes sense for me so I'm going to 'shed and make it work. I've gotten comfortable not having a B-string over the past year or so playing 4-strings. I think you can string the MGS B-G but the B-string probably wouldn't be ideal. My hunch is usable but not stunning so depends on what you need.
In a 5-string I have owned 17mm (Zon) and settled on 18mm the past year so 17.5 is great, especially for chording. I personally find 19mm a bit wide on a 5'er but there are other factors to consider as well. I've had instruments with bridges swapped out (18mm replacing 19mm) and I still wasn't comfortable so I'm always hesitant to be dogmatic about measurements. I didn't really like 1.5" nut 4-strings - until I played the YYS.
I'm just putting in my first submission to the Fodera Complaint Department. I was looking at the pictures from NAMM on the website, and I saw the stack of 'Isn't It Time You Played A Fodera' bumper stickers.
Where's mine???
Where's mine???
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