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Fodera Club Part XII

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#781
Just Thumpin' said:
Until now, the difference in sound from the larger scale instruments in my own hands (they always sound amazing in AJ's hands...but he's AJ and I am not) while significant was never so large as to make me seriously think about accepting the necessary trade-offs in terms of scale length and overall size. The Hybrid changes that for me in a big way. It's tone is simply haunting.
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Welcome to the dark side Jason!!
 
#782
nostatic said:
Any time you mess with the neck you'll likely have some unintended consequences. But they might be positive. I don't think that Vinny has a single neck shape - they are done by hand so there is bound to be some variation unless building to a very specific set of measurements. If you have a neck that you particularly like you can probably send it to them and they'll measure it, then figure out if yours can be tweaked to match it. I think it will always be a one-off situation though, as every body and neck is a little different, and the art is in making the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

fwiw while I loved the Emperor 5 I recently picked up, I'm just not a 1-7/8" nut/19mm kinda guy. The neck on it is sick and fast - but I have gotten used to my 4-string Fodera necks so by comparison it feels really wide. I'm looking forward to the MGS as it is 17.5 spacing and I believe the neck shape/width is smaller as well.
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Do you know what the nut spacing is on the MGS? I should've mentioned I do like 19mm spacing at the bridge because it makes slapping easier.
 
#783
Oh, I also am very curious to hear the hybrid! As a primarily double bassist, I've always thought that something getting a more acoustic tone into an electric would be great for people who want to play jazz on the bass guitar made sense. I've been disappointed by virtually every attempt to make that happen though, except for maybe what I've heard of the Rob Allen Deep 5's. I will be curious how this stacks up. It makes total sense for AJ's playing style and can't wait to hear him on his when it's done.

I also want to say that we all know this isn't cheap, but I'm guessing compared to the master made double basses some of us own it's not crazy. Acoustic instruments are very difficult to make.
 
#785
Brad Johnson said:
Great looking bass. Looking at those pics reminds me of a 5 string ABG I had that I really liked... but the hard upper edge killed my forearm after playing for awhile. Same spot where it's hitting AJ's forearm. Good luck.
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You can adapt. My Deeps aren't quite that thick (kinda in between that and a typical solid body) and I play them over multiple set nights.

To me what is interesting about this Hybrid is that the size is starting to push towards something that involves you physically more like an upright. That is one thing I always loved about playing upright was being draped around the instrument and becoming part of it. Seems like this is a step in that direction from a typical electric.
 
#789
Brad Johnson said:
Great looking bass. Looking at those pics reminds me of a 5 string ABG I had that I really liked... but the hard upper edge killed my forearm after playing for awhile. Same spot where it's hitting AJ's forearm. Good luck.
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I discussed the forearm issue with AJ. He showed me how to position my arm to avoid that. Time will tell.
 
#790
I've found the key with my Deeps is shoulder rotation/position and staying relaxed with my right arm. Easy (at least for me) to get caught up in the moment and tense my shoulder and arm. With a contoured body it isn't as much as an issue (though it does negatively impact my playing - it just doesn't hurt), but with the body edge it reveals itself.
 
#791
nostatic said:
You can adapt. My Deeps aren't quite that thick (kinda in between that and a typical solid body) and I play them over multiple set nights.

To me what is interesting about this Hybrid is that the size is starting to push towards something that involves you physically more like an upright. That is one thing I always loved about playing upright was being draped around the instrument and becoming part of it. Seems like this is a step in that direction from a typical electric.
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Actually I couldn't. That's why I no longer have the bass. I wasn't going to play it with my elbow up in the air.
:)

I've been planning on a more acoustic version of one of my basses and that's one of the major things I need to address.
 
#794
Just Thumpin' said:
This is quite correct. It does not feel unwieldy in any way...at least no more so than a large Martin Dreadnaught and the heel-less design of the neck makes it play deliciously all the way up the neck...unlike any conventional acoustic instrument I have yet laid hands on...

J
Click to expand...

nostatic said:
You can adapt. My Deeps aren't quite that thick (kinda in between that and a typical solid body) and I play them over multiple set nights.

To me what is interesting about this Hybrid is that the size is starting to push towards something that involves you physically more like an upright. That is one thing I always loved about playing upright was being draped around the instrument and becoming part of it. Seems like this is a step in that direction from a typical electric.
Click to expand...

wrp said:
I discussed the forearm issue with AJ. He showed me how to position my arm to avoid that. Time will tell.
Click to expand...


If I remember correctly, the depth on the body of this instrument is 4" or so. My classical guitar has a body depth of 4" and has a flat top and back. While this Hybrid is certainly a much larger instrument overall, the 4" depth on the body would seem to make my classical guitar approach to playing bass very familiar and comfortable...much more than a thin bodied bass. Then again, I do play the bass guitar in a classical guitar manner.

The Hybrid design is causing me to drool on my keyboard! :D
 
#795
wrp said:
Steuart,

1. How did you know! Next time you're up my way, look for me strolling the streets of the Mission ...
2. Amazingly. AJ had no problem adjusting to the bass
3. You may be totally jealous, but I'm totally humbled. I've got a lot of work (really fun) ahead of me to make the most of this instrument.
4. Absolutely! You have a standing invitation!
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gotta pay for the bass somehow, mariachi thing is as good as any other ;-)

i just meant you didn't looked dwarfed by it.

i'm up that way to do a couple of gigs next friday and saturday in mountain view and sacto, but have a short turnaround . . . maybe another time. i seem to be heading up there more often again.
 
#799
TapyTap said:
We must have sound clips from Mr. Pryor in order to test your theory...
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Agreed on sound clips. I'm waiting for the titanium truss rod to be installed before i take delivery, then i'll need some time to get acquainted. So It may be a few weeks. Also, I want to make sure the signal chain I use is up to the standard of the instrument.
 
#800
TapyTap said:
If I remember correctly, the depth on the body of this instrument is 4" or so. My classical guitar has a body depth of 4" and has a flat top and back. While this Hybrid is certainly a much larger instrument overall, the 4" depth on the body would seem to make my classical guitar approach to playing bass very familiar and comfortable...much more than a thin bodied bass. Then again, I do play the bass guitar in a classical guitar manner.

The Hybrid design is causing me to drool on my keyboard! :D
Click to expand...

Tapytap, you hit the nail on the head. In fact AJ urged me to study classical guitar posture. As I've mentioned before, I have a lot of things to work on to do justice to this instrument. I'm definitely up for the challenge!
 
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