• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fodera Club Part XIV

Status
Not open for further replies.
#87
I'll have a better idea after today and tomorrow when it gets some more time in a mix and I hear the recordings. At this point I'm pretty much thinking that Matt G. and the Fodera team are geniuses. While I will admit to not having many reference points for an E-C strung 5'er (mostly messing around with various 6-strings, both 34" and 35" scale), I certainly have owned/played a lot of different instruments. Of course all the typical caveats with my comments - depends on what/how/why you play, technique, tone goals, etc.

My goal was to have something that I could work more on chording/comping and soloing while still having a bass that could actually cover a gig. I've gotten very comfortable back on 4-string the past year or two, and I just cannot get happy on anything particularly "wide" in the neck/bridge department. A number of 19mm spaced 5s came and went, as did some 18.3mm spaced 5s (with 35" scale). Way back when I played a pair of Zon 5s that had 17mm bridge (34" scale). I rarely played slap back then, and I was pretty happy with them for about a decade.

Anywho, I was looking for a tool to accomplish a certain set of goals and this does that. The 33" scale gives a great middle ground. The E string still has clarity and authority while the C string is very sweet sounding. The 17.5mm spacing doesn't bother me when switching from 4 to 5, and makes for a very comfortable 5-string. At this point I actually can slap cleanly on it but popping is a bit odd/tight and will take some 'shedding (ie poor technique on my part).

Tonally the dual coils sound different than my PJ setup (which I still prefer - nothing sounds quite like a P pup), but it is just more "different" than better/worse. I am convinced that I'm a walnut body kinda guy. Hard to directly compare with the YYD as other things are different, but walnut just seems to have a bit of bite to it that I like. The pau ferro I think sounds closer to ebony than rosewood which is another win for me (I think my favorite spec is walnut/ebony). Really the only thing I'd change on this bass with a custom would be chambered walnut and ebony fb and that would be a lot more money and a lot longer wait. And the top on this is gorgeous.

Or, I could see getting 33" scale Monarch 5 with chambered walnut and ebony. I'm still a sucker for the Monarch shape :D
 
#89
Is that Emperor 16.5mm spacing? Sounds sweet. I could see moving to 33" scale on 4 as well, especially as my hands get older and I struggle with various tendonitis/etc. Small tweaks can make a big difference. I'll have to see how the 33/34 swapping on gigs goes, especially between the fretless RA.
 
#90
nostatic said:
Is that Emperor 16.5mm spacing? Sounds sweet. I could see moving to 33" scale on 4 as well, especially as my hands get older and I struggle with various tendonitis/etc. Small tweaks can make a big difference. I'll have to see how the 33/34 swapping on gigs goes, especially between the fretless RA.
Click to expand...

No 17.5 mm. Therefor I'm still not sure if I should go 16.5 on the new one. Been play 4 string for more than 10 years. 5 string is still something I'm getting used to. I played Janeks bass and the 16.5 mm was fine for me. I don't slap on that bass :) RA also makes 33 E-C basses :)
 
#92
Todd, this kind of post definitely makes us all smile broadly and I have already copied this and sent it around to the whole shop.

One piece of trivia for all to know...we are now very much "boys and girls" as the newest member of our luthiery team is named Emily. A fantastic person, great artist and very much not a boy...

Play the MGS in good health!!

Cheers!

J

nostatic said:
I'll have a better idea after today and tomorrow when it gets some more time in a mix and I hear the recordings. At this point I'm pretty much thinking that Matt G. and the Fodera boys are geniuses.:D
Click to expand...
 
#97
Rock%2520Lock.jpg
 
#98
In on this thread!

Technically, I'm not in possession of a Fodera right now, but this claro walnut top will be on a bass very soon. Last I heard it was due this month.

Image2.jpg


The one I own is FS at Austin Bass Traders right now and I really have missed having a Fodera all summer, but it will be worth a little wait till the new one arrives.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back