My main axe for years was a USA Fender Jazz V, alder with a pau ferro fingerboard. Also used some other Fenders, Music Mans (including a Bongo 6 & a Big Al), a Yamaha, a Cort... nothing at the "boutique" level, but I loved my Fender despite it being very neck heavy.
When I was first in NYC in 2011, I visited the shop to get a quote on a custom instrument. I happened to have my Fender with me and Jason offered to do a set up on it, commenting on my "rather high" action. I thought my action was low! I told him, by all means, to go nuts and work his magic. I couldn't believe how well it played afterward, and I've had mine set up by some excellent local techs. Unfortunately, at the time there were no basses for me to try out in the shop, although I did get the opportunity to have a close look (with my eyes) at this then-in-progress awesome Bogwood Monarch 4.
http://foderaguitars.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=225
That same day I asked the guys at the shop if anyone was playing anywhere in the next week so I could go and hear, and Joey invited me to Mexicali Blues in New Jersey where I could attend an open jam. After almost getting on the wrong bus (!) I made it, he invited me to sit down, bought me a beer, and, well, made a great impression for the company.
The quote I was given was for an ash/maple Monarch 4 deluxe. The pau ferro on my Fender, however, was really growing on me, and I decided that if & when I pulled the trigger on a custom Fodera, I'd go with that wood. Furthermore, I had moved exclusively to 5-string by that point, so I'd upgrade to a 5 as well. Luckily, three months later, Fodera announced the Emperor 5 standard. I put down a deposit immediately.
I'm not rich. I'm a 28 year old musician with a music degree who doubles on electric & upright in classical, jazz, rock, funk, etc. But I knew that I needed a pro-level instrument and that if I was going to drop $X000 on a bass, it had better be the best! At that point, the only boutique basses I've even played had been a Zon Vinny (unplugged), an MTD, a Sadowsky, and a custom shop Fender. They were all great in their own way. But from the discussions here, I could tell that from Fodera's reputation (and the excellent customer service that had already floored me), I was sold.
That said, there's one caveat to the story. I also went for a standard line instrument for safety's sake - if for any reason the bass didn't work out for me, I'd have a much better chance of selling it than if it was a custom with unique tonewood combinations, neck profile, etc. Fortunately, I've had my Emperor for a year and a half now and it's still impressing me (as well as sound engineers).
This pretty much summarizes what I take from the posts discussing the merits of Foderas in this thread, and in this owner's forum over the years.
Has anyone taken a deep breath and bought a Fodera without ever having played one?
If so, what has been the experience?
It's posts like this and others, plus magazine reviews and Youtube clips, plus the quick responses from Jason that makes me seriously consider acquiring one of the Standards sight unseen, and without ever having had an opportunity to try out a Fodera for myself. I would have to do it this way as I'm thousands of miles from the nearest known Fodera owner and there are no dealers in my country.
I'm not a wealthy person by any means, but I could sell a number of quality instruments I've acquired over the years to get one. I realize that it's only Fodera owners who would not think I'm being totally crazy to be even considering this. The objective would be for the chosen Fodera to become my only fretted bass - which I would gig most of the time.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Am I being totally off the wall??
