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Fodera or Celinder

bassicg

bassicg

Supporting Member
Jul 24, 2006
539
493
Muskegon, MI
#1
Hello all. I am in sort of a dilemma here. I have a Fodera Emperor BO 5 that I must payoff relatively soon. I currently own a fantastic Celinder Update 5. I am pretty sure I will make my deadline without having to sell the Celinder. If for some reason I don't, the seller, who is a SUPER GREAT guy to business with on top of a SUPER GREAT person in general, has informed me that he will give me mostly all the money I have invest back in the event I am unable to go through with the deal. I in turn informed him that if I couldn't move forward, because of his patience and long suffering with this deal, I would feel better if he'd accept better than triple what he said he would keep. He then answered with this note:

"I appreciate your offer of extending $____. I cannot accept that amount though. That is about 1/3 of the price of the bass. $___ would be much more fair. Let's decide what to do by the end of April. Good luck with the sale for those 2 basses! I'm sure they will be able to sell.

Thanks and we'll touch base again next month".


Mind you the Fodera has been on hold for many months after it was supposed to be paid of due to some serious unforeseen financial issues that came up. After explaining to the seller he the details of my situation and informing him that I will have to let the Fodera go, he encouraged me and suggested I take more time to iron things out. This whole transaction with him is why I say he is a SUPER GREAT GUY!! He could have sold the bass here on TB and had his money within days, maybe hour or even minutes!!! So as you can see, I must have a plan B. Now here is where I am hoping you can help me especially those who may have experience with both basses. Do I take a chance, sell the Celinder hoping I like the Emperor better or Let the Emperor go and keep the Celinder. Remember I am pretty sure I will end up with both. Yet in the event it comes down to a choice what are your honest opinions regarding choosing between these two basses? Thank you all!
 
#2
BTW The Fodera specs are:

Northern Ash body
Transparent white finish
5 pc ash neck with purpleheart stringers
Birdseye maple fingerboard
Fodera/Pope preamp
Aero single-coil pickups
Black hardware
Custom Fodera adjustable bridge
White pearloid pickguard
35" scale
Weight: 10 lbs
 
#4
I have a Fodera Yin Yang that will arrive in about 2 weeks. So far I've sold a Pre-EB Stingray and I'm about to sell a Lakland USA 4-94. The point is, you have to make a choice. And I've never heard anybody who has ever not liked a Fodera.
 
#6
If you have to chose between the two I think it depends on your gigs. If I was playing dive bars with a Blues or R & B gig I'd prefer the Celender. I suspect it will draw less attention and sound wise will probably fit in better. If your playing with a Jazz quartet in an elegant part of the city the more distinctive tone of the Fodera may prove useful.

Personally I'd sell them both and get a Sadowsky, 10 pound bases don't do it for me.:D
 
#7
bassicg said:
Celinder:

Danish Ash body
Cobalt Blue
White Pearloid Pick guard
Celinder Custom Hum canceling pickups
Greengrove pre amp
Birdseye Maple Neck
Birdseye maple fingerboard
Luthier: Christian Celinder
10 lbs
Click to expand...

You get it from Ken???
That's a MONSTER bass.......Man, I wish I had choices like that!!
 
#11
Hey Gary,
It's Yohann, remember me? I think I know the seller of the Fodera and if it's the same guy then you are absolutely right, he is a great guy to say the least.

I've never played that Celinder, I've only played maybe 2 of those basses but I can vouch for the Fodera (like our conversations back when you decided to go for it)... That bass has "the" sound.

Good luck with your dilemma and I sure wish you end up with both basses!

Peace.
 
#14
Hey Yohann, What a silly question, do I remember YOU? Lol. It's good to here from you! I hope and pray all is well with you and yours! Thank you for chiming in!


YCBass said:
Hey Gary,
It's Yohann, remember me? I think I know the seller of the Fodera and if it's the same guy then you are absolutely right, he is a great guy to say the least.

I've never played that Celinder, I've only played maybe 2 of those basses but I can vouch for the Fodera (like our conversations back when you decided to go for it)... That bass has "the" sound.

Good luck with your dilemma and I sure wish you end up with both basses!

Peace.
Click to expand...
 
#16
bassicg said:
Didn't get this one from Ken. However, playing Kens set off a 7 year quest to find this one. And yes, it is an ABSOLUTE BEAST!!

Celinder J Update 5 pictures by basscadet - Photobucket
Click to expand...

Hello! Wow, that was a while ago! I hope you are well.

Tough decisions. All great basses. I guess if I was a bit tight on cash, I'd get out of the Fodera thing, sell the Celinder for big bucks, and buy Mothra's amazing Nordstrand NJ5 Classic in the classifieds!:D The Nordy classics are smoking, have a more vintage Fender-like tone than the Celinder, and are amazingly priced given the quality, which is every bit as good as the other basses you are considering IMO.

Fodera's are amazing instruments (played an Emperor 5 Elite for years), but you are really paying a LOT for the vibe IMO. If the vibe is key, then the extra $5k is probably worth it. If you are just looking for a good, professional level instrument with boutique quality, I'd take a Nordy any day of the week.

Just another way to think about it.
 

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