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Fodera Club Part XXII

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#701
The biggest issue I had was going from 30" to 34" within a set (Rob Allen Mouse). I found myself being off by a fret or two whenever I switched. Turns out that can be problematic unless you're playing free jazz.

I have had really good luck so far going between 4 string 19mm and 5 string 17.5mm (E-C). Going from 4 to 5 with the 5 B-G was tougher but it has been a few years since I tried that. I have to admit that the Fodera 5-string neck with 17.5mm spacing is just ridiculously comfortable and seems to be a nice "middle ground". I have no issues grabbing a 4, and likely would be able to handle a Fodera 6 with 17.5mm spacing. I do know that when I've grabbed an Ibanez 6 with 16.5mm spacing I didn't really like it.

I haven't tried a 36" scale, but not sure I want to as I have had issues with some 35"s in the past. Just depends on the instrument though - lots of factors in the ergonomics beyond just the scale length.
 
#702
nostatic said:
The biggest issue I had was going from 30" to 34" within a set (Rob Allen Mouse). I found myself being off by a fret or two whenever I switched. Turns out that can be problematic unless you're playing free jazz.

I have had really good luck so far going between 4 string 19mm and 5 string 17.5mm (E-C). Going from 4 to 5 with the 5 B-G was tougher but it has been a few years since I tried that. I have to admit that the Fodera 5-string neck with 17.5mm spacing is just ridiculously comfortable and seems to be a nice "middle ground". I have no issues grabbing a 4, and likely would be able to handle a Fodera 6 with 17.5mm spacing. I do know that when I've grabbed an Ibanez 6 with 16.5mm spacing I didn't really like it.

I haven't tried a 36" scale, but not sure I want to as I have had issues with some 35"s in the past. Just depends on the instrument though - lots of factors in the ergonomics beyond just the scale length.
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I agree on the 17.5 mm 5 string spacing. Now that I own this MG shape, and I previously owned a 19mm 34" Imperial 5, I think my next bass will def be a combo of the two with 34" scale and 17.5 mm spacing. Should be the best of both worlds. I'm also thinking about a chambered ash body, alder block, olive top (maybe koa), and pau ferro board. Should be the exact tone I THINK I want, with the feel I've come to acquaint with that Fodera sound and vibe. Every few years I start to dream about a 6 and then I play a high C string and remember why I hate them :D....

Also, if anyone cares, my band just released a video for our newest single off our upcoming album and for some reason I (my old Fodera) got a silly amount of camera time....enjoy!!

Soulfarm - Walk with Me
 
#703
nostatic said:
The biggest issue I had was going from 30" to 34" within a set (Rob Allen Mouse). I found myself being off by a fret or two whenever I switched. Turns out that can be problematic unless you're playing free jazz.
Click to expand...

:hmm:

since that's a lot of what i do, i can tell you that it would be *really* problematic for me. i pretty much know where i am all the time . . . and 90% of the time i might as well be blindfolded. (this is a little bit of a sore spot for me, cause some people just think that free jazz is jerking off by people who don't know what they're doing—and it isn't necessarily so).

in any event, i can't really feel a 35 or 33 (or nordstrand's weird 34.75-inch scale on their headless—cool bass, but can't get into the scale at all).
 
#704
bassdoubler said:
Also, if anyone cares, my band just released a video for our newest single off our upcoming album and for some reason I (my old Fodera) got a silly amount of camera time....enjoy!!

Soulfarm - Walk with Me
Click to expand...

Wonderful playing as usual. Love the harmonies.
That's the Fodera that was up for sale a little while ago?
Looks like you kept her after all, which is great.
 
#705
GRAHAM JACOBS said:
Wonderful playing as usual. Love the harmonies.
That's the Fodera that was up for sale a little while ago?
Looks like you kept her after all, which is great.
Click to expand...

aw thanks Graham! I actually did sell it! haha....well, traded it for another Alleva + $....unbelievable bass. Still sad it's not around, but my MG shape is def the Fodera for me. Hopefully it'll make it into the next video!
 
#706
steubig said:
:hmm:

since that's a lot of what i do, i can tell you that it would be *really* problematic for me. i pretty much know where i am all the time . . . and 90% of the time i might as well be blindfolded. (this is a little bit of a sore spot for me, cause some people just think that free jazz is jerking off by people who don't know what they're doing—and it isn't necessarily so).
Click to expand...

My tongue was in my cheek when I typed that.

Lately I've been playing with my eyes closed much of the time. Has been especially good for 'shedding on fretless.
 
#709
Davidg said:
To BassDoubler:

No one asked me but a Koa top just kills visually. The grain sometimes looks 3D when the light hits it a certain way.
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agreed. visually stunning for sure. I really loved my time with the olive top. Not as stunning but really great bright, midrangy tone. I've heard similar things of a koa top so if they are indeed similar in sound and weight I may go for it!
 
#711
bassdoubler said:
agreed. visually stunning for sure. I really loved my time with the olive top. Not as stunning but really great bright, midrangy tone. I've heard similar things of a koa top so if they are indeed similar in sound and weight I may go for it!
Click to expand...

I certainly dig mine!
http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=613
Not sure how much the chambering or top affected the tone, but its pretty rich to my ears.

Put down a couple of new tracks last week, 8 more to go, haven't gotten around to playing with the levels yet. Next up saxophone!

http://soundcloud.com/damian-coccio/sets/new-eb-recording-project-tracks
 
#712
nice!

From what I've heard, tops inflict very little on tone, but I think certain tops like olive or koa def add something to the mix, whereas buckeye burl might even take away from the tone a little. Chambering ABSOLUTELY makes a huge difference! My solid body Imperial vs. my chambered Imperial was like night and day just in how the note would escape the instrument. Obv all different wood combos, but a major factor was def the chambering.
 
#720
Baird6869 said:
Beautiful!

Does the top make the bass much heavier than usual?
Click to expand...

I guess so.... the Bass was 4,8 kg ... now without the frets (it's my fretless now and sings like a bird :)) it's a little lighter...

But I would guess that the Mac Ebony top makes a fine add to the whole sound which is worth the weight ;)
 
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