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Fodera Club Part XXVII

#13,101
GHOST AT said:
Joel what was it about the Imperial that you didn't like?
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It was a great bass but I realized quickly that I just liked my MG5 more. Enough so that I knew, given the choice, I'd likely grab it before the Imperial every time. They were both 33/17.5 but the MG just had a certain magic that I didn't hear nor feel in the Imperial as strongly.

If I didn't have the MG, I'm positive I would have been happy as a clam with the Imperial. It was just a lot of money to have tied up in something that wasn't going to get played in my scenario.
 
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#13,102
Did someone say "Chestnut top?" Here's my Emperor, circa 2002.
Emp5 Chestnut Body.jpg
 
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#13,104
GHOST AT said:
View attachment 3447979 View attachment 3447977 View attachment 3447978
Damn I never get tired of seeing this pic! Joel your Emperor, David Beasley's former Beez Elite, and of course the "Beast" are my favorite Chestnut tops then my Imperial. I know there are many other incredible tops I haven't seen like I said earlier would love to see them all! Joel the top on your former Imperial is beautiful but nothing beats the vintage tops. Joel what was it about the Imperial that you didn't like?
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I'm right there with you. The Beast and the pic of Vinnie holding the Horse Chestnut MG5 had a HUGE impact on my aesthetic sense of boutique basses!

I remember when Beez was having that bass built. I remember him running in the back of the shop to grab the drawing of the body design to show me! Fun times.
 
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#13,108
Joelc73 said:
I'm right there with you. The Beast and the pic of Vinnie holding the Horse Chestnut MG5 had a HUGE impact on my aesthetic sense of boutique basses!

I remember when Beez was having that bass built. I remember him running in the back of the shop to grab the drawing of the body design to show me! Fun times.
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The only thing that I didn't like about his bass was the single pickup and that the bass had a matching Chestnut back piece that piece was too beautiful for the back of a Fodera LOL.
I remember being shocked at the low price David's Chestnut Beez sold for on Ebay maybe it was the 36 scale?
 
#13,109
WorktheWood said:
I always loved the way the Beast looked but I've heard from a couple different people who supposedly played that said it looks a lot better than it sounds. Anybody hear similar?
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I heard a few people say the same thing about the Beast looks that kill but the sound was underwhelming wonder why? My Imperial passed through a few hand's before I acquired it. I think the original owner sold it because of the sound.
Owner # two or three sent the Imperial back to Fodera for a overhaul, the Aeros and first generation Pope pre. were replaced with Duncan's and the latest Pope preamp. It sounds great to me and everyone else who has played it.
 
#13,110
I played yours in its original configuration at the NAMM show. It's still one of the best Fodera's I've played. Yours is just killer in every way.


GHOST AT said:
I heard a few people say the same thing about the Beast looks that kill but the sound was underwhelming wonder why? My Imperial passed through a few hand's before I acquired it. I think the original owner sold it because of the sound.
Owner # two or three sent the Imperial back to Fodera for a overhaul, the Aeros and first generation Pope pre. were replaced with Duncan's and the latest Pope preamp. It sounds great to me and everyone else who has played it.
Click to expand...
 
#13,111
WorktheWood said:
I played yours in its original configuration at the NAMM show. It's still one of the best Fodera's I've played. Yours is just killer in every way.
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Thank you so cool that you played it! I still remember seeing the first photo of Felix Pastorius playing the Imperial and thinking My God that's the most beautiful bass!! I saved all pics of it and the Imperial was my screen saver for a long time. Five years in sometimes I still can't believe I own this bass! As Bill and Ted once said I'M NOT WORTHY!!
 
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#13,115
J._M. said:
View attachment 3449015

Here's my 2008 Imperial - I wanted to have a more simple top and went with this one since it has everything that I like about Chestnut :) (not a big Burl fan) .... anyway, sadly didn't get really warm with it (tried it 3 years) and have sold it to a friend who still has it :)
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I always loved this bass the top is perfect has the beautiful streaks running through it, and the right amount of flame. Plus being left handed you know the majority of the work on your basses was done by Vinny:bassist:
 
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