Fodera Club Part XVI

[Baird6869]

Ever since playing and owning one, I've never considered a Fodera to be overpriced. I have other basses but they don't do for me what the Foderas do. For the straps otoh, I prefer the cheaper Levy. But I do own both brands. Unlike most who seem to want to dwell on price.

Funny how I will buy a Fodera or other high end basses.... But a $100+ strap to make a 4 hour gig more comfortable? Not a chance.

I have over a dozen straps I have collected over the years but tend to buy Levys. Mainly due to availability in Canada as Levys is a Canadian company (Winnipeg) and their products are seemngly everywhere. They are also well made IME.

I also own a neoprene Sadowsky comfort strap and it is super comfortable also.... And not expensive.

 

[gkbass13]

I have owned the same Levy's padded leather strap for over 10 years. It is great!

 

[Angus]

I've had the same "The Strapp" padded strap for like 10-12 years now and it shows zero signs of wear after hundreds of gigs. It's awesome.

 

[Lugzy]

I remember reading it, and probably have the issue somewhere. The review was of a buckeye burl Benavente Singlecut 5. According to Benavente, as seen on the Lowend webpage, AJ's remarks proved to be some of the best free advertising a young company could ever ask for. Funny how that tends to work.

Hi GK, I'm glad someone remembered it...
Yeah, funny but kinda sad how the old dictom "Any free advertising is Good advertising" still works.

Hey!.. "Isn't it time we All Played a Fodera"!!!

Easy..

 

[nostatic]

Hey nostatic,

How do you like the mgs minus the ramp? Was it difficult to remove / how was it attached?

Easy - just pull up slowly and with determination

I prefer no ramp. I'm just used to having that space and I can have a heavy attack sometimes which the ramp got in the way of. While that is a feature rather than a bug, sometimes I want to dig it as it is a different tone. But it was an easy adjustment to make.

 

[Lugzy]

Hi GK, I'm glad someone remembered it...
Yeah, funny but kinda sad how the old dictom "Any free advertising is Good advertising" still works.

Hey!.. "Isn't it time we All Played a Fodera"!!!

Easy..

Just in case anyone get's the wrong end of the stick..

IMHO The Fodera Club is the most informative forum devoted to a particular brand that I've encountered to date on Talkbass and I'm always knocked out by the members contributions on everything Fodera. I ended my last post by quoting the new Fodera T-shirt slogan because this forum is probably the best advert on the net for what is arguably the best bass guitar' I have ever had the pleasure to play.

So, I return my thanks to all the guy's & girls at the shop who make this possible by offering my FREE endorsement and will wear my new T with pride when it arrives.
Just want to thank Mr J. De Salvo for making this thread a great place to hang and although we tell you every so often how much it means to have an actual Company Director on hand to answer all our Q's, I'd like to re-iterate one more time - Your direct engagement with the forum is truly appreciated.

Best wishes to all at the shop & have a great Christmas..

Regards - Lugzy

 

[DirtPoorRobins]

Wow sweet! The throw back monarch newborn pics are up. Man this thing looks sweet. This would be such an awesome instrument to own!

 

[Just Thumpin']

Thank you. It is frankly my pleasure. I was posting in this forum before I was a Partner here and am thrilled that I am now in a position to provide real, candid information. You guys and gals are all deserving of it!

Cheers!

J

Just in case anyone get's the wrong end of the stick..

IMHO The Fodera Club is the most informative forum devoted to a particular brand that I've encountered to date on Talkbass and I'm always knocked out by the members contributions on everything Fodera. I ended my last post by quoting the new Fodera T-shirt slogan because this forum is probably the best advert on the net for what is arguably the best bass guitar' I have ever had the pleasure to play.

So, I return my thanks to all the guy's & girls at the shop who make this possible by offering my FREE endorsement and will wear my new T with pride when it arrives.
Just want to thank Mr J. De Salvo for making this thread a great place to hang and although we tell you every so often how much it means to have an actual Company Director on hand to answer all our Q's, I'd like to re-iterate one more time - Your direct engagement with the forum is truly appreciated.

Best wishes to all at the shop & have a great Christmas..

Regards - Lugzy

 

[MostlyBass]

I was thinking the same thing - the Fodera threads are awesome and it's really incredible to have a Fodera person here. I don't play one but I find these threads informative and enjoyable. I think more people should read them - there's great content on woods and tone. Thank you!

 

[nostatic]

It must be a Brooklyn thing because the Sadowsky threads can be good Roger chimes in from time to time. But I agree that Jason goes way above and beyond the call of duty here.

He goes beyond in the shop as well. I've been waffling on a few details for my fraternal twins that are on order. I had gone back to the original plan, but then got a crazy idea about changing fingerboard on the fretted. Talked with Jason and he queried both Joey and Vinnie while we were on the phone - and viola, a final spec was born

So for those playing along at home, these two will go into production a couple of months from now:

Monarch 5 Elite (E-C) fretless
chambered walnut body
flame/curly walnut top
3-piece ash neck, 24 "fret"
unlined ebony fingerboard
dual coils, 34" scale, 17.5mm bridge
D-tuner, black hardware

Monarch 5 Elite (E-C) fretted
chambered walnut body
Brazillian rosewood top
5-piece maple/bubinga neck
birdseye maple fingerboard 24 small frets
dual coils, 34" scale, 17.5mm spacing
D-tuner, black hardware

The big change being a switch from ebony to maple on the fingerboard of the fretted (and the 5-piece neck which Jason suggested to complement the maple). I also was thinking of going EMG PJ for that bass, but after getting a Lull ash/maple JJ bass, I rethought my goals. I've got the YYD if I want a P sound, and I've warmed to the dual coils since playing the JJ and switching my amp rig to Monique/Baer. Incredible punch and the G and C-strings sound nice and round/fat. I also have been liking the maple fingerboard on the Lull. It is in-between ebony and rosewood to my ear, and I think it'll make for an interesting combination (at least that's how Joey described it).

 

[Munjibunga]

Talked with Jason and he queried both Joey and Vinnie while we were on the phone - and viola, a final spec was born

I'm sure you mean a "final" spec. They should be incredible basses. You lucky guy.

 

[MostlyBass]

I'm sure you mean a "final" spec. They should be incredible basses. You lucky guy.

And.... I think he means 'voila' not 'viola'

 

[nostatic]

And.... I think he means 'voila' not 'viola'

I hate autocorrect in a browser

Actually I prefer cello. Or should I say, "chellow".

 

[MostlyBass]

I had to mention it just because an orchestra director / teacher I get all sorts of misspellings and mistakes! My favorite is Vye-ola. And I respond, "vie-ola is your cousin, vee-ola is an instrument"

 

[Damian Coccio]

It must be a Brooklyn thing because the Sadowsky threads can be good Roger chimes in from time to time. But I agree that Jason goes way above and beyond the call of duty here.

He goes beyond in the shop as well. I've been waffling on a few details for my fraternal twins that are on order. I had gone back to the original plan, but then got a crazy idea about changing fingerboard on the fretted. Talked with Jason and he queried both Joey and Vinnie while we were on the phone - and viola, a final spec was born

So for those playing along at home, these two will go into production a couple of months from now:

Monarch 5 Elite (E-C) fretless
chambered walnut body
flame/curly walnut top
3-piece ash neck, 24 "fret"
unlined ebony fingerboard
dual coils, 34" scale, 17.5mm bridge
D-tuner, black hardware

Monarch 5 Elite (E-C) fretted
chambered walnut body
Brazillian rosewood top
5-piece maple/bubinga neck
birdseye maple fingerboard 24 small frets
dual coils, 34" scale, 17.5mm spacing
D-tuner, black hardware

The big change being a switch from ebony to maple on the fingerboard of the fretted (and the 5-piece neck which Jason suggested to complement the maple). I also was thinking of going EMG PJ for that bass, but after getting a Lull ash/maple JJ bass, I rethought my goals. I've got the YYD if I want a P sound, and I've warmed to the dual coils since playing the JJ and switching my amp rig to Monique/Baer. Incredible punch and the G and C-strings sound nice and round/fat. I also have been liking the maple fingerboard on the Lull. It is in-between ebony and rosewood to my ear, and I think it'll make for an interesting combination (at least that's how Joey described it).

Agreed and thumbs up on Jason's commitment here. It's awesome.

Nostatic - I though I was the only one that changed specs a lot...lol. I guess the process of honing a spec isnt easy for anyone, I know I've changed mine a few. Be interested to hear what you think of the maple fretboard. If your slapping you'll probably really love it. Tons of attack as I'm sure Jason told you and you already know.

 

[Lennard III.]

for you that are searching and looking for a fine leather bag or strap - have a look at Harvest fine leather from germany

I have two of their bass bags and three straps and can tell you - they are more than worth it

http://www.harvest-guitar.com/en/home/

 

[DirtPoorRobins]

a little off topic but one of my bands just sent me one of the final takes of a video we made for the first single off our new album, Blue & White, called "Novocaine". I recorded this track with my Imperial 5 Elite so I used it in the video as well. If you're interested in seeing the bass in action or checking out the track here's the link!

Novocaine - by Soulfarm

Man Mitch, I have to stop listening to this tune, its getting stuck in my head. Also, I watched your other video with the KBP5, and I have to say, my favorite is Novocaine, whether its the fodera, the monique, or both, whatever it is, it just sits so well in the mix on Novocaine. Sick playing too.

 

[nostatic]

I actually haven't changed up that much, and it is two instruments so we're doing double duty

Well, actually I originally was going to do 33" scale MGS and now have ended up at 34" scale Monarch. Only other variables I've changed were pups on the fretted (dual coil to PJ now back to dual coil) and fingerboard on the fretted (ebony to maple). Part of that has been driven by changes in my amp rig and also just getting more seat time with all my basses. I've also changed my technique and approach to the instrument a lot over the past year or two, so much of my old dogmatic "this is what I like" doesn't quite hold any more. Buying the Lull was challenging my preconceived notions (and also previous experience) and it has been eyeopening. It won't replace my Foderas, but it has given me insight into being a bit more open to change. I dig ebony, and on the fretless that is a no-brainer. On the fretted though, I've got ebony with PJ on the YYD. With the MGS (which I'll sell when these new ones are done - not feeling rich enough to keep it), there is a lot to love, but I kinda wanted a bit more top end and a little more piano-like tone. I also have decided that I really want all my instruments to be the same scale length, especially since two of them will be fretless. My Rob Allen and YYD are keepers, so the new ones have to conform somewhat.

I figured ebony was the obvious choice for the fretted but I have liked how the maple is sort of in-between rosewood and ebony. With the maple I'll lose the ebony ping but on fretted sometimes I love that and sometimes it drives me nuts. So the YYD is kind of my bass to cover that vibe - P bass with ping. The Deep 4 has its own vibe, and these pair will cover everything else. I'll hang onto the Lull as there are some gigs where I end up doing instrument swaps and kinda hate to hand over a $10K instrument to my bandmates

So I've put probably way too much thought into this, but that is part of the fun. I also have specific tone and playing goals that I want to achieve over the next few years, and these specs hopefully will help me get there. I still love the MGS shape, and if I feel rich maybe I'll put one of those in the pipe at some point. But these two should kill, and I think I can cover much of my occasional 6-string AJ envy with these.

 

[Damian Coccio]

I actually haven't changed up that much, and it is two instruments so we're doing double duty

Well, actually I originally was going to do 33" scale MGS and now have ended up at 34" scale Monarch. Only other variables I've changed were pups on the fretted (dual coil to PJ now back to dual coil) and fingerboard on the fretted (ebony to maple). Part of that has been driven by changes in my amp rig and also just getting more seat time with all my basses. I've also changed my technique and approach to the instrument a lot over the past year or two, so much of my old dogmatic "this is what I like" doesn't quite hold any more. Buying the Lull was challenging my preconceived notions (and also previous experience) and it has been eyeopening. It won't replace my Foderas, but it has given me insight into being a bit more open to change. I dig ebony, and on the fretless that is a no-brainer. On the fretted though, I've got ebony with PJ on the YYD. With the MGS (which I'll sell when these new ones are done - not feeling rich enough to keep it), there is a lot to love, but I kinda wanted a bit more top end and a little more piano-like tone. I also have decided that I really want all my instruments to be the same scale length, especially since two of them will be fretless. My Rob Allen and YYD are keepers, so the new ones have to conform somewhat.

I figured ebony was the obvious choice for the fretted but I have liked how the maple is sort of in-between rosewood and ebony. With the maple I'll lose the ebony ping but on fretted sometimes I love that and sometimes it drives me nuts. So the YYD is kind of my bass to cover that vibe - P bass with ping. The Deep 4 has its own vibe, and these pair will cover everything else. I'll hang onto the Lull as there are some gigs where I end up doing instrument swaps and kinda hate to hande over a $10K instrument to my bandmates

So I've put probably way too much thought into this, but that is part of the fun. I also have specific tone and playing goals that I want to achieve over the next few years, and these specs hopefully will help me get there. I still love the MGS shape, and if I feel rich maybe I'll put one of those in the pipe at some point. But these two should kill, and I think I can cover much of my occasional 6-string AJ envy with these.

Sounds like you've put careful thought into your specs. You'll have one heck of an arsenal when its all said and done. Look forward to the clips next year. It'll certainly help me decide specs for my next one.

 

[ian_s]

That Rob Allen has really stuck with you through this whole journey. I bet the fretless Monarch is going to start a whole new level of rethinking.