Thank you for your input- it's really appreciated. I think that I my just shoot them an email to check about the cutaway- no harm in just asking, I guess.
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Thank you for your input- it's really appreciated. I think that I my just shoot them an email to check about the cutaway- no harm in just asking, I guess.
I really both pickups and I guess it's matter of taste.
Tthe two Holly Imperial II are 33 scale but it might be a 34/33 thing ?
Do you have any builds in the works ?
If I should order a 5 string today it would be similar to this - but these specs:
Chambered walnut body - Maybe Holly top
Oak neck with Ebony FB.
30.75 - 32-ish scale and 16.5 mm
Don't get hung up on scale length dude, luthiers at this level, combined with clever string choice can make anything work.
I play 31.5" basses, mainly 6 strings tunes B to C and they work perfectly. They're not Foderas, but I would have every confidence in Fodera being able to make it work too.
Happy to share some sound samples if you want, via PM, don't want to derail the thread.
Eude
This is why I have to limit my exposure to this elite group. That's a thing of beauty!
I really appreciate that, thank you! To be honest, my main concern was with how the B-string would sound, since I end up using it quite a lot. My current MG Imperial is 34" and the B-string sounds amazing and I just didn't want this new build to sound any less authoritative in the low end. But you're absolutely right: at this level, these guys certainly know what they're doing and I suppose I should have a little more faith. I'm ordering through Bass Direct and I may well give them a call tomorrow to discuss this with them a little further.
Ha! Yes, it is. When the picture of the topwood arrived in my inbox all those years ago, I couldn't resist!that's one hell of a burl!
I'm curious, what is the tonal difference between 33 and 34"? I see a fair number of 33" imperials, but I don't often see 33" monarchs. Just coincidence? I imagine shorter scale is a bit easier on the fretting hand?
It's hard to say. I think most people going for 33" scale are looking for a sweeter high-C. And possibly as you say an easier time on the fretting hand.
I had a 33" imperial MG 5 which I used tuned E-C. When I bought the MG it was string B-G and was comparable to the longer scale basses I had had experience with which were between 34" and 35".
Currently I've got an Emperor and Monarch in 33" scale, both are 6 string both play/sound great. I also have an Emperor and Monarch in 34" scale but cannot really compare a tonal difference because they are 4 string and have different types of wood and pickup configurations.
Not really helpful I know
but my guess is that it just comes down to preferences.
No worries.
Just remember and keep an open mind, unless you are looking for something very similar to your current Fodera of course.
I think the only place a shorter scale bass might not quote be ideal would be in a low tuned metal context, but these days the (yawn) trend seems to play Dingwall >> DarkGlass >> Insane amount of compression, so I doubt you'd be looking into a Fodera for that anyway
Cheers,
Eude
No worries.
Just remember and keep an open mind, unless you are looking for something very similar to your current Fodera of course.
I think the only place a shorter scale bass might not quote be ideal would be in a low tuned metal context, but these days the (yawn) trend seems to play Dingwall >> DarkGlass >> Insane amount of compression, so I doubt you'd be looking into a Fodera for that anyway
Cheers,
Eude
yes. agreed on the yawn.
but… i got a chance to play matt garrison's mini and dropping the low e to a low c was remarkably effective. considering it's a 30.75, it was kind of crazy.
Yup, a lot can be done now, the skills and knowledge that these high end luthiers have, plus advancements in bass string technology mean that shorter scale ERBs are now a reality, not just a dream for the shorter bassist. Like I said in an earlier post, I play 31.5" scale basses, mainly all 6 string, but I also have a 26.5" 6 string, currently tuned E to F, as that's how it shipped, but I am going to order some new custom strings and try it out B to C soon, as tuning the 115 E string down to B actually still returned something useable!
Cheers,
Eude
I think better B string performance is more a result of better strings than construction. I remember owning and playing 34" and 35" scale Foderas in the very early 2000's that had less than great B strings. Fodera hasn't really changed their construction methods over the years so I can only assume the improvement is due to better strings. My current and recently owned Foderas have great B strings but I tried a couple sets of Dunlop strings and they both had bad B strings.
I think it's certainly possible, though hard to say for sure. It makes sense considering the neck is attached and anchored much further up on the neck than usual which in theory would add stiffness and stability. I think neck construction and the way it attaches to the body has an effect. I find B strings typically respond differently on neck through instruments than bolt-on; not necessarily better but different. More often than not I prefer B strings on neck through. But, as a whole, I prefer the response from the rest of the strings on bolt on instruments.
