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Fodera Quality that doesn't $$$ Fodera Price!

#41
nostatic said:
It depends on what aspect of Fodera you'll looking to replicate. Sound, look, type of construction, etc.

For instance if you're looking for bolt-ons, there are many gorgeous instruments out there (Skjold comes to mind). For dovetail or neck-through, less so. Some electronic packages are in the rough ballpark but to me the Pope preamp in the Fodera is part of the sound and you won't replicate that with other setups. That isn't to say that other pup/pre combinations aren't good, just that they won't sound the same.
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Well spoken!
 
#42
Just Thumpin' said:
I would offer one caveat to this and that is, make sure you either play it first or are buying it from someone that will stand behind it. Most of our instruments have some degree of personalization / custom specs to them. A few examples of basses that we have built recently...

-Someone that wanted an INCREDIBLY thick neck -- think baseball bat.

-Someone that wanted their bass to weigh a MINIMUM of 12 pounds.

If you buy someone else's custom suit...you'd want to try it on first, right? I know that if I bought the bass that we are just finishing with the very thick neck I would not like it, but it's owner spec'd it that way and presumably will love it. Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder...
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Excellent point, Jason. One can't experience everything you have to offer by looking at one bass.

I used to occassionally have people tell me that they thought Brubakers were cool but they were heavy. I'd always answer in the affirmative:

"Yes they are heavy... except for the lighter ones".
:D

In most cases it dawned on people that he wasn't building one monolithic bass... despite the need for many folks to "keep it simple in their mind".
:cool:

Personally I've seen lots of really nice looking basses that don't play and sound like I want. That trumps everything for me so wherever I'm looking needs to be able to achieve that. And I need to be able to convey what I'm after. Given that, what exactly is the OP looking for?
 
#43
cire113 said:
What are some other bass makers.. that offer fodera like quality with prices not being so expensive..


Please this is not a Fodera debate...comparison etc..

I'm just looking for other good quality bass builders that are cheaper..

Hopefully you understand what i mean...
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Bass Central is in Florida, not sure if they have a brick and morter store but if the do, that would be the best place to actual see and hear stuff.
 
#44
Jared Lash said:
I agree absolutely. You won't find a better combination of affordability, workmanship and flexibility.

That said, until the OP gives a better sense of exactly what he wants (price range, tone, features) beyond "Fodera-like quality" all he's going to get is a list of everyone's favorite luthier. Because again, Foderas are awesome instruments that deserve their reputation, but there are MANY, MANY fantastic boutique builders that craft high quality instruments.
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I agree.
I own a 650cc Suzuki Scooter and a 2053cc Kawasaki Cruiser. If you asked me which one is better, I couldn't tell you until I got more info!!
 
#45
OP, are you looking for a custom shop, or an off-the-rack?

Fodera specializes in custom instruments. So does Tom Clement (to take but one of the builders mentioned here.) Others may specialize in very finely crafted stock models. If a stock model can be what you're after you'll save even from Fodera.
 
#46
I'll also put out there that luthiery is a labor-intensive process. The cost of an instrument from a high-end builder is largely based on what that builder can price their time at. In some cases the wood itself can be pricy but that's the exception to the rule.

Fodera has a shop with a number of folks working there, a certain volume, and a certain range in products. Another builder could be one guy, with a different volume but a similar stock product range. I'm sure if cornered at a cocktail party Jason could expound at length on the economics of building high-end instruments.

But you can't get hand craftsmanship at high volumes, so it will always be expensive.
 
#48
nostatic said:
ISome electronic packages are in the rough ballpark but to me the Pope preamp in the Fodera is part of the sound and you won't replicate that with other setups. That isn't to say that other pup/pre combinations aren't good, just that they won't sound the same.
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if i may respectfully disagree with this point.

having owned (and kept) fodera basses starting in 1985, i can say that they have gone through many different preamp iterations. there's always something new around the corner (this is one thing that makes fodera so good, imho, they keep pushing their own envelope).

for me, the magic of fodera is not in the pre (all due respect to mike pope), it's in whatever it is that vinny fodera does in the wood and construction department. as mike pope as called it, the "secret sauce" . . .

for me the core of "fodera quality" vinny's expertise, not the electronics.

now whether or not that floats anyone's boat, that's up to them.
 
#50
Every TB member's going to have an opinion regarding that! I've owned many Fodera's, and this comes the closest I've seen in terms of build quality at a fraction of the cost plus, Christian's just a great guy to deal with! Treat yourself fool.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#54
capnsandwich said:
Skjold and Elrick come to mind. Also, some USA Peavey's are up there in build quality and playability but maybe not in hardware.
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As major Peavey geek, I don't think they are in the same league as Fodera when it comes fit finish. Playability, however, is where Peavey is the equal of any maker.
 
#59
cire113 said:
What are some other bass makers.. that offer fodera like quality with prices not being so expensive..


Please this is not a Fodera debate...comparison etc..

I'm just looking for other good quality bass builders that are cheaper..

Hopefully you understand what i mean...
Click to expand...


Hey...I understand what you mean.!!!

Fodera basses are nice, sound great but They are way too Expensive!

Perhaps...they live in a world where all bass players can afford...which I think it's Ridiculous , but what don't you try looking up this other Luthier : eliezerlaraguitars.com

Eliezer Lara Guitars (Custom Shop) - Instrumento musical - Rio de Janeiro - Youtube | Facebook

Best of regards...
:eyebrow:
 

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