Fodera Club Part XXVII

[oldfretless]

You said YYS, so the lead time they gave you is because that's when production is scheduled for a batch of YYD's. A custom order would be in the order received. I believe necks are made minimum 6 months prior to any other work. 10 years ago it took 2 1/2 years for a YYD, but Superstorm Sandy was in the middle of that. Even if it took that long to get a YYD now, if I lost mine, I'd reorder in a heartbeat. The one bass I will never be without the for the rest of my life. YMMV.

 

[JuanG]

Man my new Matt G signature literally gets better every time I play it. I've had a bunch of Fo's but this is my first elite, also my first hollow body bass....
Incredibly resonant and responsive and so versatile!!!!

I always drool when I see that pic of your bass. You got the perfect Buckeye Burl top. Can I ask you how heavy is this bass? considering ordering one but worried about the weight

 

[tleebassist11]

I always drool when I see that pic of your bass. You got the perfect Buckeye Burl top. Can I ask you how heavy is this bass? considering ordering one but worried about the weight

Hey man yea this bass has literally been a blessing to my musical career, I couldn't be happier It is 10.1 lbs, chambered walnut body

 

[NeonVomit]

with customs you can get custom neck profile, different pickups, colors, different models... everything! BUT if you really like Emperor 5 standard and would order something almost similiar as custom, then go for it! The quality, playability and sound are as good as any! BUT if you really need something special on your bass then go for the custom

Yeah I don't think I'd really change anything other than minor aesthetic stuff! I really like the sound of the Fodera pickups and preamp - not really after anything that unique (I've already got my unique "me" bass in my crazy custom Marleaux). Was just wondering if there was anything else to the markup but it seems the standards are the way they are for a reason!

Once my Monarch P arrives I'll be planning for an Emperor 5 Standard, the 2021 model looks amazing!

 

[adamcz]

 

[JOME77]

Awesome!

 

[MMiller28]

They are absolutely legit and they give honest and accurate assessments on lead time. I was told 6-9 months on my build, which was a much simpler build than yours, a monarch 4 bolt-on, no figured top, and they delivered at just about 6 months on the nose. If they quoted 12 to 14, you'll have your Yin Yang in 12 to 14. I'm sure the extra time is just do to the intricacies of building a custom Yin Yang.

I'll play devil's advocate here. I ordered in February, was quoted 10-12 months, and it'll be done next week. Monarch Elite.

 

[adamcz]

if I were to get a custom model I'd very likely only get something with a few minor cosmetic differences (maybe a different dark wood top or something) but that's it. I don't think I'd be after anything too unique or out there, after all.

Same here. I want a fretless next so I was looking at the pricing sheet the other day. If I'm reading it correctly, the price difference between the standard fretless and a custom with a different wood top is roughly double.

I've never seen a standard special fretless so unless something pops up on the used market I'll likely be aiming for the normal standard.

 

[landrybass]

Same here. I want a fretless next so I was looking at the pricing sheet the other day. If I'm reading it correctly, the price difference between the standard fretless and a custom with a different wood top is roughly double.

I've never seen a standard special fretless so unless something pops up on the used market I'll likely be aiming for the normal standard.

But there is good justification for the price. In addition to wood choices, you get the custom preamp and custom shop pickups, which are not the same as the standard models. Er, Unless they are EMGs or Aguilars; something you can get off the shelf.

 

[JuanG]

Aren't the pickups on most custom basses (unless somebody wants EMG/Aguilar) the same "Fodera/Seymour Duncan Dual coil" pickups? Also, what's the difference between and a standard a custom shop preamp? They are both Fodera/Pope as per the difference is only $150 as per the price list. Is it only one type of "custom" or one could choose any preamp configuration (MG style, for example).

 

[JesseMalaska]

Aren't the pickups on most custom basses (unless somebody wants EMG/Aguilar) the same "Fodera/Seymour Duncan Dual coil" pickups? Also, what's the difference between and a standard a custom shop preamp? They are both Fodera/Pope as per the difference is only $150 as per the price list. Is it only one type of "custom" or one could choose any preamp configuration (MG style, for example).

I think the standard "no upcharge" pickups are J or P-style pickups. Dual coils will increase the value. At least thats what the pricing guide says.

Pricing

as for the preamps. Custom one had dip switches inside the control cavity. You can change the frequencies of the EQ from there. Older custom preamps didnt have this, i cant remember when it was changed.

 

[JesseMalaska]

Having spent some weeks with my new imperial 6 I really have to say thay Im floored by it! Its the easiest 6-string I have ever had. It also sounds sooooo good! Theres so many good sounds that I can get from it.

now I think I will start saving for another custom. I would love to get Imperial or emperor elite 5 with ash/maple combination.

 

[JOME77]

On the subject of pickups and preamps installed in Fodera basses, I've had my Custom Emperor JJ 4 for about 2 months now and I'm just blown away by the sound of this bass. I was slightly hesitant to go with a Fodera with the Fodera Duncan single coil Jazz p/u's. Playing mostly Roscoes (with quad coil Bartolini SB's) over the last 20 years I was afraid that it might be too thin sounding. This is certainly not the case. I am totally impressed with the tones available with this bass. With the custom Fodera Pope preamp the sound can be anywhere from an extremely focused tone to a huge warm tone. This is certainly not what I'm accustomed to with typical basses with a JJ configuration.
I'm usually very cautious when reading the various descriptions of tone specified by builders concerning their various builds but I'll have to say the following description that Fodera provided for this bass nails it:


"This Emperor 4 Bolt-on features an Ash body and Indian Rosewood fingerboard. This tone wood combination yields an even, balanced tone with powerful, punchy lows, naturally warm mids, and sweet, singing highs. Duncan single-coil J/J pickups give a great "vintage" vibe to this build too!".


Not sure if the Fodera Duncan single coil Jazz p/u's vary greatly, or are really that different than typical Duncan single coil Jazz p/u's, but in this bass, with the Fodera custom Pope preamp, construction methods and wood selections they totally work!

 

[landrybass]

Aren't the pickups on most custom basses (unless somebody wants EMG/Aguilar) the same "Fodera/Seymour Duncan Dual coil" pickups?

Aren't the pickups on most custom basses (unless somebody wants EMG/Aguilar) the same "Fodera/Seymour Duncan Dual coil" pickups? Also, what's the difference between and a standard a custom shop preamp? They are both Fodera/Pope as per the difference is only $150 as per the price list. Is it only one type of "custom" or one could choose any preamp configuration (MG style, for example).

Im pretty sure the custom basses have Dual coils from the SD custom shop, the standard dual coils are SD/Fodera designed but I dont think they come from the custom shop. I think they are very ever so slightly different.

 

[Christian Houmann]

Im pretty sure the custom basses have Dual coils from the SD custom shop, the standard dual coils are SD/Fodera designed but I dont think they come from the custom shop. I think they are very ever so slightly different.

I'm pretty sure that they are same ones

 

[JuanG]

Having spent some weeks with my new imperial 6 I really have to say thay Im floored by it! Its the easiest 6-string I have ever had. It also sounds sooooo good! Theres so many good sounds that I can get from it.

now I think I will start saving for another custom. I would love to get Imperial or emperor elite 5 with ash/maple combination.

Great to hear!! I am expecting the delivery of a 6 string Emperor standard tomorrow so very much looking forward to playing it! It's a 2018 model so it's Ash body/maple neck/PauFerro FB. Want to see if I'll get used to a 6 again before going the custom route. I'm getting tired or going back and forth between a low B or a high C in my 5 string basses.

 

[JuanG]

I think the standard "no upcharge" pickups are J or P-style pickups. Dual coils will increase the value. At least thats what the pricing guide says.

Pricing

as for the preamps. Custom one had dip switches inside the control cavity. You can change the frequencies of the EQ from there. Older custom preamps didnt have this, i cant remember when it was changed.

Good to know about being able to change the frequencies in the preamp inside the control cavity though not sure if I'd ever do that!

 

[landrybass]

I'm pretty sure that they are same ones

I could be wrong, you probably know better than I do, But I thought I remember hearing Jason talk briefly about them being slightly different.

 

[WorktheWood]

I believe originally the dual coils were made by a friend of theirs and were different. For whatever reason that didn't last long so they went with the SD duals for everything.

I could be wrong, you probably know better than I do, But I thought I remember hearing Jason talk briefly about them being slightly different.

 

[Belka]

Im pretty sure the custom basses have Dual coils from the SD custom shop, the standard dual coils are SD/Fodera designed but I dont think they come from the custom shop. I think they are very ever so slightly different.

I'm pretty sure that they are same ones

Actually, I remember there were some standard dual coils that weren't made in the Duncan custom shop, but by a 'friend' of the shop (no idea who it could have been). I think however they discontinued them pretty quickly so they're probably only found on a few early standards.

Ha! WorktheWood got in there before me.