Fodera Club Part XXII

[nostatic]

Fedex showed up early

After doing some A/B in the home studio a few thoughts. Sonically has a bit more edge/punch than my 5-string fretless. Similar tone profile with the dual coils. The mid freq on the std preamp is exactly where I like it. Neck is a hair beefier than my YYD but that bass is on the smaller side. String response is really even and it will mwah at-will. Construction is perfect as usual. Weight is 10.0 lbs, balance is perfect (like a Monarch), and you can play all the way up the neck.

Really nice bass. My plan was one in, one out and I'll have to sort that out. I was thinking that I love the YYD so much, I'd just mostly go 4-string on gigs. That said, I'm a little suprised at how I've gotten used to having a C-string on fretless. In fact on a few recent gigs I actually put the Deep 4 away in favor of the M5. Time will tell.

Apologies for the poor photos. My studio has mood lighting

 

[Damian Coccio]

Fedex showed up early

After doing some A/B in the home studio a few thoughts. Sonically has a bit more edge/punch than my 5-string fretless. Similar tone profile with the dual coils. The mid freq on the std preamp is exactly where I like it. Neck is a hair beefier than my YYD but that bass is on the smaller side. String response is really even and it will mwah at-will. Construction is perfect as usual. Weight is 10.0 lbs, balance is perfect (like a Monarch), and you can play all the way up the neck.

Really nice bass. My plan was one in, one out and I'll have to sort that out. I was thinking that I love the YYD so much, I'd just mostly go 4-string on gigs. That said, I'm a little suprised at how I've gotten used to having a C-string on fretless. In fact on a few recent gigs I actually put the Deep 4 away in favor of the M5. Time will tell.

Apologies for the poor photos. My studio has mood lighting

Nice, congrats! Nice top too. Look forward to clips.

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

nice! is that the red oak neck?

 

[Munjibunga]

Have you played it?

If so, wheat were your thoughts on the oak neck and ebony board (and in general)?

Yes, I've played it. I've had both a Lakland 55-94 fretless (ash body, maple top, maple neck, ebony 'board) and a Pedulla ThunderBass 5 fretless (maple body, maple top, maple neck, ebony 'board), and I like the sound of the Fodera better than either by a good margin. I think the wood selection of the Fodera gives it a clarity and bite that the others didn't have. I favor ebony boards, and this one in combination with the oak neck seems to have the characteristic attack of ebony while adding some warmth from the neck. Overall the tone is very rich but still articulate.

 

[nostatic]

I think the bolt-on construction adds to the party as well. If you want a fretless that speaks, this one does it.

I have a rare lull in the schedule - no gigs until next week. Maybe I'll try to record a few snippets in the studio.

 

[steubig]

Fedex showed up early

After doing some A/B in the home studio a few thoughts. Sonically has a bit more edge/punch than my 5-string fretless. Similar tone profile with the dual coils. The mid freq on the std preamp is exactly where I like it. Neck is a hair beefier than my YYD but that bass is on the smaller side. String response is really even and it will mwah at-will. Construction is perfect as usual. Weight is 10.0 lbs, balance is perfect (like a Monarch), and you can play all the way up the neck.

Really nice bass. My plan was one in, one out and I'll have to sort that out. I was thinking that I love the YYD so much, I'd just mostly go 4-string on gigs. That said, I'm a little suprised at how I've gotten used to having a C-string on fretless. In fact on a few recent gigs I actually put the Deep 4 away in favor of the M5. Time will tell.

cool. a day early.

so, oak neck? thoughts?

your 5-string fretless is chambered, no? might get to some of the tonal things you were talking about?

y aknow, you can keep all four basses—all you have to do is spring for another stand (see the pic).

 

[kamakiriad7]

Dude... just, dude. Your collection is about damn perfect.

 

[SRFSterling5]

Man that fretless looks great. Nostatic you have good taste. Would like to hear a comparison between
The 5 and the 4.

 

[Baird6869]

Dude... just, dude. Your collection is about damn perfect.

I was thinking the same. All great basses!

 

[Baird6869]

Has anyone seen the LINED Fretless Standard in the newborn section?

http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=727

Very nice also. Cool that they made this an option.

I am glad I ordered my Custom fretless 5er lined. Only 11 months to go....

 

[nostatic]

cool. a day early.

so, oak neck? thoughts?

your 5-string fretless is chambered, no? might get to some of the tonal things you were talking about?

y aknow, you can keep all four basses—all you have to do is spring for another stand (see the pic).

The oak neck feels nice. Hard to tell how much it affects the tone as there are a number of differences:

MS4F - solid walnut, bolt-on oak, std preamp
M5f - chambered walnut, neck-through ash 3-piece, custom preamp

Sorry, can't buy another stand

I start getting all sick and nervous when I have too many basses. Especially given the current state of the govt and my job depending on those bozos getting some sort of budget passed.

Actually it is a bit more about my approach to the different instruments and when/how I use them. One advantage to the 5-string is having some other higher notes in the same position so I don't have to move up the neck (where intonation is tougher, at least for me). The 4 does give me consistency going between it and the YYD.

 

[Lugzy]

She's a beauty! Congrats on scoring another fine piece. I'd find it very difficult to show any of your basses the door..

Fedex showed up early

After doing some A/B in the home studio a few thoughts. Sonically has a bit more edge/punch than my 5-string fretless. Similar tone profile with the dual coils. The mid freq on the std preamp is exactly where I like it. Neck is a hair beefier than my YYD but that bass is on the smaller side. String response is really even and it will mwah at-will. Construction is perfect as usual. Weight is 10.0 lbs, balance is perfect (like a Monarch), and you can play all the way up the neck.

Really nice bass. My plan was one in, one out and I'll have to sort that out. I was thinking that I love the YYD so much, I'd just mostly go 4-string on gigs. That said, I'm a little suprised at how I've gotten used to having a C-string on fretless. In fact on a few recent gigs I actually put the Deep 4 away in favor of the M5. Time will tell.

Apologies for the poor photos. My studio has mood lighting

 

[steubig]

The oak neck feels nice. Hard to tell how much it affects the tone as there are a number of differences:

MS4F - solid walnut, bolt-on oak, std preamp
M5f - chambered walnut, neck-through ash 3-piece, custom preamp

Sorry, can't buy another stand

I start getting all sick and nervous when I have too many basses. Especially given the current state of the govt and my job depending on those bozos getting some sort of budget passed.

Actually it is a bit more about my approach to the different instruments and when/how I use them. One advantage to the 5-string is having some other higher notes in the same position so I don't have to move up the neck (where intonation is tougher, at least for me). The 4 does give me consistency going between it and the YYD.

i guess i was wondering how the oak felt.

lotsa differences in there.

yeah, that extra stand is gonna break the bank . . .

if the govt defaults, we might all be worrying about way more than basses. (but, yeah, i get your drift.) i have no compunctions about having more than four basses. guess i need to develop a conscience ;-)

your last comment reminded me of a few times of late where i've fished around for very high notes on fretless. made me practice stuff very high . . . might even work.

i've never quite gotten why you haven't just gone for an exact twin fretless of your main love, the yyd. but then, i'm not very imaginative.

 

[nostatic]

i've never quite gotten why you haven't just gone for an exact twin fretless of your main love, the yyd. but then, i'm not very imaginative.

I've thought about it, but I've come to the conclusion that my YYD is just one of those basses. Trying to make a twin would probably end up being close but no cigar.

I just need to embrace each instrument for what it is instead of worrying about what it isn't.

 

[Leo Smith]

Lined!!! Seeing this bass and the bass that nostatic posted might really get me to put a fretless bass in my toolbox. I've just never been into fretless basses, for what ever reason... But these two basses, and the lined option... hooo weeee!

Has anyone seen the LINED Fretless Standard in the newborn section?

http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=727

Very nice also. Cool that they made this an option.

 

[oldfretless]

Congrats Todd! Hope you like it. I like the thought about embracing things for what they are. It can go beyond guitars.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Congrats on your new bass, Nostatic!
Oak is my favorite wood!

 

[jumbodbassman]

I am starting to really regret passing up on the fretless standard.

 

[steubig]

I am starting to really regret passing up on the fretless standard.

don't worry, after i pull my jedi mind trick on nostatic, he'll sell you his and order a fretless twin to his yyd.

😈

 

[Munjibunga]

i guess i was wondering how the oak felt.

lotsa differences in there.

yeah, that extra stand is gonna break the bank . . .

if the govt defaults, we might all be worrying about way more than basses. (but, yeah, i get your drift.) i have no compunctions about having more than four basses. guess i need to develop a conscience ;-)

your last comment reminded me of a few times of late where i've fished around for very high notes on fretless. made me practice stuff very high . . . might even work.

i've never quite gotten why you haven't just gone for an exact twin fretless of your main love, the yyd. but then, i'm not very imaginative.

Well, the oak leaves a few more splinters than the maple, but ...


... naw, naw, naw ...