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Fodera Club

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#341
waseok said:
Thanks a lot! Thats truly amazing! Koa is so freakin cool lookin!
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Thanks! It gets even better. As wonderful as the bass played right out of the box, the action was a little stiff in the first couple of positions for my taste. Yesterday I drove to Brooklyn (I live in NJ 15 miles away) and Vinny himself spent almost an hour with me working on the nut to make certain that everything was dead-on perfect. I cannot say enough good things about these guys, Joey, Vinny, Martha, Mike, they are just lovely people making the finest basses I have ever laid hands on.
 
#342
Guys, could tell me more about this part of Fodera Imperial (and other 'Elite' models) body?

I was told by Fodera owner that heelblock was inventen by Vinny when he was still working for Ken Smith. The main benefit of it was adding additional attack to neckthrough design instruments which they sometimes lack. Can you add anything to this?:help:
 
#343
Hey Beskyd,

I don't know if the heelblock was invented by Vinny, as I have seen them on Carl Thompsons basses from 1977, which I think was before Vinny started working for Ken Smith.

As for adding attack, I don't know what you mean by attack. If you mean a less compressed more dynamic sound, it probably does the opposite, It can be used to get more of the main bodywood on the body, i.e. if your neck through has ash wings you can add an ash heel block, which means more ash which might give the body wood more influence on the sound.

However, I think in most cases it's more cosmetic, as you get that laminate between the neck and the heel block which give it that Fodera stripe, and the different kind of wood which contrasts with the wings. It might make the sound a bit more complex, and add overall compression, but I don't think it will add attack.

Personally I like Deluxe 'dovetail' Foderas the best, nicest feel and looks really clean, in my opinion, plus body wood has a greater influence on tone than in neck throughs.

Whereabouts in Kiev do you play Beskyd? If you know Fodera and you live in Kiev you must know SP basses right?;)
 
#345
It boils down neck construction..
Alembic starts with probably close to 3" of neck stock to match there body width and than carves it down at the intersection of the body where Fodera's neck stock is probably somewhere in the
1-1 1/2" range which isn't far from there finished neck width so they need to add the heel block at the end to match the thickness of the body..
The technique has nothing to do with sound but different heel block wood choices may have some overall effect..
 
#346
Belka said:
Hey Beskyd,
Personally I like Deluxe 'dovetail' Foderas the best, nicest feel and looks really clean, in my opinion, plus body wood has a greater influence on tone than in neck throughs.

Whereabouts in Kiev do you play Beskyd? If you know Fodera and you live in Kiev you must know SP basses right?;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for info:)
BTW, does 'dovetail' mean kinda half-neckthrough? When neck goes only halfway of the body? (I've got such design on my Warwick).

Hmmm... I play in garage in Obolon' district with noname band. Actually I stopped being "appartment" player just 2 or 3 weeks ago... :hiding:
Sure, I know S... SP basses. Plan to order one after I recover financially after my previous musical purchases and after 8 March day as well:D

Shanuymosya!
 
#347
Beskyd said:
Thanks for info:)
BTW, does 'dovetail' mean kinda half-neckthrough? When neck goes only halfway of the body? (I've got such design on my Warwick).

Hmmm... I play in garage in Obolon' district with noname band. Actually I stopped being "appartment" player just 2 or 3 weeks ago... :hiding:
Sure, I know S... SP basses. Plan to order one after I recover financially after my previous musical purchases and after 8 March day as well:D

Shanuymosya!
Click to expand...


It's also called 'set neck'... basically similar to a bolt on, except the neck is actually glued to the body, like the Les Paul Guitars.

This is a VERY good option for the Fodera's. I can't hear much difference between the neck throughs, set-neck and bolt on models, all other things being equal. With the set-neck (Deluxe), you get the solid top for free, which costs over $1,000 more on the neck through (Elite), I assume due to the extra labor involved.

The Fodera heal joints are so nice on the bolt-ons, that is even a better option for me. If I ever purchase another Fodera, it will be a bolt-on Emperor.
 
#348
A dovetail joint is a very old and strong technique of joining woods together where there is a piece of wood that juts out in the shape of a dovetail and slides into a matching reverse dovetail cavity...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dovetail_joint
Fodera have always used Dovetail joints in there Deluxe models..It does not go 1/2 way thru the body but only a few inches or so..

I have had all three Fodera construction styles and absolutely find great diifferences with all..
Neck thrus I find to have a much more solid feel with more sustain while bolt on's have a much faster and more compressed tone.Dovetails I find to fall directly between the two.
 
#349
Just got the call from Fodera, my long-awaited Yin Yang 4-string will be ready for pick up on Monday! Here is how I had this bass built...

Purpleheart and Yellowwood over Walnut body
Ebony Board
Pope 3-band electronics
Dovetail Neck
Seymour Duncan Dual Coils (with matched wood pup covers)
Black Hardware
Fodera 40-60-80-100 Nickel strings.

I'll post pictures next week!
 
#350
Just Thumpin' said:
Just got the call from Fodera, my long-awaited Yin Yang 4-string will be ready for pick up on Monday! Here is how I had this bass built...

Purpleheart and Yellowwood over Walnut body
Ebony Board
Pope 3-band electronics
Dovetail Neck
Seymour Duncan Dual Coils (with matched wood pup covers)
Black Hardware
Fodera 40-60-80-100 Nickel strings.

I'll post pictures next week!
Click to expand...
Congrats! When did you place the order, if you don't mind my asking?
 
#351
Hollow Man said:
Congrats! When did you place the order, if you don't mind my asking?
Click to expand...

I actually got very lucky in that the bass was in process (the body and neck were built) when the guy that ordered it bailed. I stepped in and was able to choose pups, electronics, neck profile, etc. I had sent around emails to several Fodera dealers in November 2007 letting them know what I was looking for and ended up picking up this order in February 2008 (when a dealer emailed me to let me know that a client of his had bailed out on a bass in which I might be interested). So, given Fodera's current backlog, I did very well!
 
#352
I am a new member to the Fodera Club.
I purchases a pre owned, but un-played NYC Empire. (Fodera's least expensive model)

The bass resonates like no other I own and I own some good ones.
The bass is big, big body, big neck. It feels bigger than any other 34" scale bass I own or have played.

Birdseye Maple board, Swamp Ash body, Trans Yellow with Pearl pickguard.
Pope pre is musical, fairly transparent, EQ points are good although I don't know the exact frequencies. Duncan single coils are very aggressive also suffer from 60hz hum (as single coils do). B string is solid and fundamental is strong and clear. Tremendous amount of attack and dynamic response. I may swop out the pickups for noiseless but I am afraid to lose the aggressive tone. (any suggestions appreciated)

All in all, it's a great bass, I don't think I would love it as much if I paid retail for it ($3600 USD New, List $4100) The quality is apparent the second you hold the instrument. Workmanship is primo.
 
#353
some pics of :p My baby :D
 

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#354
Hi,
I don't have money for real Fodera. So Luthier will make bass for me. It should be most likewise like Fodera Yin Yang. Please give me the most advice.
Which : fretwire, bridge, tune keys, nut, internal bass preamp(some switches.. every good idea is welcome), jack, potentiometer etc...

I'm sorry for my bad english and really thanks for answers. Have a nice day:)
 
#358
Just Thumpin' said:
Just got the call from Fodera, my long-awaited Yin Yang 4-string will be ready for pick up on Monday! Here is how I had this bass built...

Purpleheart and Yellowwood over Walnut body
Ebony Board
Pope 3-band electronics
Dovetail Neck
Seymour Duncan Dual Coils (with matched wood pup covers)
Black Hardware
Fodera 40-60-80-100 Nickel strings.

I'll post pictures next week!
Click to expand...

I picked it up on Monday. It is the best bass I have ever played.
 

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