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Fodera Essence.

#143
Mark Latimour said:
Brad, rather than respond point by point, as its obvious that this could go on forever if I let it, let me ask you a question. What will I need to say in my next post to satisfy you?

You disagreed with a very specific thing I said:



Rather than just point out initially that you disagreed with it for the reasons you eventually gave, you went through a circuitous process to get there. That's fine.
Click to expand...


Mark, if you either ignored or forgot post 81 (my initial response) or the subsequent responses, cool. I've been pointing out my problems with your "poorly worded" statement the entire time. Maybe you didn't understand that.

I have already said that the statement above was poorly worded. Is there anything else you need clarified to satisfy you, otherwise, feel free to take this to PM with me if you want to continue the point by point arguing so as not to bore the other users with more of this.
Click to expand...

Mark, you've said that the statement was poorly worded and then too umbrage at my disagreement that was based on that poorly worded statement.
:confused:

It's the classic "you've misunderstood me, what I meant to say was..."
:hmm:

It took a circuitous route for you to see what was at the root of this? It all goes back to your statement. Nothing more. If not for your statement/responses, I'd have nothing to respond to.

:cool:
 
#144
Mark Latimour said:
Nah, you're just boring me. There's a difference ;)
Click to expand...

Agreed. Fortunately I'm not as easily bored as you... and my wording isn't as poor either.
:p


All in good fun, Mark.


Actually I pretty much agree with all of that and, apart from my first post which I said was poorly worded, I have made a few changes to more accurately reflect what I was saying. Other than that, your summary looks good.
Click to expand...

If you had only initially corrected it and admitted that it was poorly worded...

nah, where's the fun in that. Weren't you headed home?
:D
 
#145
Simply here are the factors that determine what Fodera charges;
1. Cost to produce the instruments
a. Raw Materials
b. utilities/energy
c. labor costs, benefits, salaries, 401k etc.
d. rent
e. waste
f. Office supplies
g. Taxes, city, State, Federal
h. Insurance

Among those cost factors, Fodera deals with some the highest in USA. Raw materials, (apples to apples) will be roughly the same for any luthier in the country, but labor, rent, transport etc. are exceedingly high in NYC. Some of the costs such as Rent, health insurance, Energy and Taxes have risen 40%-70% in the last 18 months alone.

2. Demand
a. Back log of customers willing to pay $7-20K which is 3 years long.

3. What Fodera and Company think they want to make
a. charging what ever the traffic will bear.


Some of that big jump in price is a result of cost of living in the North Eastern USA. It's getting so people are leaving. The property taxes make living here impossible for all but the richest. The other big factor is demand, they can command big dollars for a bass guitar.... more power to them!
 
#146
chris.gotfunk said:
This has been a lot of fun to read. Thank you guys!!!!

I have to admit, you are all making great valid points. Might I add, I think this all is based on the fact that Fodera's prices seem to have skyrocketed at a higher rate than the other builders on that level (ie. Ken Smith, MTD....).
I too am a Fodera lover/previous owner and I ordered my Imperial 5 in Jan of 2004. I paid $5,200 for the bass seen here.
Fodera.jpg


I will admit this. I was told by Anthony Wellington to just place my Fodera order to "lock in" the current prices because Fodera price increases can a be a little steep. So, with that knowledge in hand I sent them $1,000 to hold my order at the price I was given. So, it has been known for a while now that the price increases do occur and at a higher rate than most. For what reasons? We can only speculate!
Sorry, just thought I would add my .02.

Peace,
Chris
Click to expand...


Beautiful bass and again, I don't begrudge Fodera one penny.
:D
 
#147
Dbassmon said:
Simply here are the factors that determine what Fodera charges;
1. Cost to produce the instruments
a. Raw Materials
b. utilities/energy
c. labor costs, benefits, salaries, 401k etc.
d. rent
e. waste
f. Office supplies
g. Taxes, city, State, Federal
h. Insurance

Among those cost factors, Fodera deals with some the highest in USA. Raw materials, (apples to apples) will be roughly the same for any luthier in the country, but labor, rent, transport etc. are exceedingly high in NYC. Some of the costs such as Rent, health insurance, Energy and Taxes have risen 40%-70% in the last 18 months alone.

2. Demand
a. Back log of customers willing to pay $7-20K which is 3 years long.

3. What Fodera and Company think they want to make
a. charging what ever the traffic will bear.


Some of that big jump in price is a result of cost of living in the North Eastern USA. It's getting so people are leaving. The property taxes make living here impossible for all but the richest. The other big factor is demand, they can command big dollars for a bass guitar.... more power to them!
Click to expand...

Okay.
:D
 
#153
Dbassmon said:
and the cost of Victor Wootens Basses
Click to expand...


According to Joey and Mika, everyone pays something for their Fodera's. This I believe. Lincoln, Victor, Anthony....they all pay for their Fodera's. Albeit, not what us pay but still they pay for them.

Good point about the trade show. Fodera took me to NAMM in Jan of 2007 and paid for everything! I paid for my flight and that was it. Food, lodging, a couple of shirts, beanie hats they do take care of their family.
Those of you who own a Fodera and have any intimacy with them, they really are superior people above any other builder that I have had experience with.
I have had to recently sell that Fodera to my best friend so I could afford to survive here in the North East region and it pains me to think that I may never get my hands on a new Fodera again. But, that family atmosphere is something that Fodera exudes more so than anyone I know in the business. I would equate it to owning a Ferrari in the terms of family and the service you get while owning one.
I think we all have a little bit of.....whatever you want to call it towards Fodera for them raising their prices so only lottery winners and celebrities can afford, but that is business and they have to make a living too. I can tell you that they are not rolling in money either. I hear rumors that Vinny drives a Ferrari and stuff. Not true!!! Believe it or not, he is quite humble and only wants to build great basses and make a living at it. They just happen to be in a place in time and location where they can do what they need/want to survive.
Kudos to you Vinny and Joey and the rest of the crew!!!! I still want another one!!!! :bawl:
 
#155
Great Post Chris

I'm very thankfull to got two customs from them the last years and I have never regred it a minute because this two Foderas are tonal explosions :hyper:

And I've heard so much of the "family thing" from friends of mine who belong to the Fodera Family - I can't wait to meet them in personal in Brooklyn
 
#156
Thank you for the compliment. It is just my feelings and experiences with Fodera.
You will love meeting everyone at the shop. They truly are first class people and really love their customers and family members. Have fun and make you sure you take some pics. Remember, if there are no pics it never happened.
Peace,
Chris

Jules Forcella said:
Great Post Chris

I'm very thankfull to got two customs from them the last years and I have never regred it a minute because this two Foderas are tonal explosions :hyper:

And I've heard so much of the "family thing" from friends of mine who belong to the Fodera Family - I can't wait to meet them in personal in Brooklyn
Click to expand...
 
#158
Demand is creeping up for them as well, which is why the waiting lists are getting out of control. One of the reasons for this is that they are being lusted after in a lot of countries by bassists that wouldn't have been able to afford them, or wouldn't even have heard of them back in the late ninties / early noughties. Russia for one. A lot of the ebay Foderas I see listed subsequently end up in Russia. And I imagine that China will soon be an important market for them. Add this to the relative weakness of the dollar at the moment...
 

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