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Fodera really worth the cost?

#183
GMC said:
Living in the UK...Fodera doesn't have any reputation as it does stateside. So I look at the price and I really can't equate it's value considering the parts bin approach to their construction and materials. They kind of look old fashioned and very dated with out using any specific hardware that stands them out from generic bass builders. Take something like a Wal. A UKP price of circa £5K. It features unique pickups which stand alone, it has a unique approach to it's preamp. Even the string tree is unique for Wal and can't be sourced else where. With Fodera...I can buy all their hardware and make a pretty convincing clone for well under 1/10th of the cost...so why bother?
Am I missing some magic somewhere?
Click to expand...

How much time have you spend fiddling around with a Fodera?

I spent a good hour in a shop ready to purchase a Wal MK2, but it did nothing for me.
Very heavy, odd electronics , not for me. I am sure many people love them considering resale value is excellent.

Just would like to know if your opinion an Fodera is based on actual experience or on prejudice.
 
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#184
GMC said:
Living in the UK...Fodera doesn't have any reputation as it does stateside. So I look at the price and I really can't equate it's value considering the parts bin approach to their construction and materials. They kind of look old fashioned and very dated with out using any specific hardware that stands them out from generic bass builders. Take something like a Wal. A UKP price of circa £5K. It features unique pickups which stand alone, it has a unique approach to it's preamp. Even the string tree is unique for Wal and can't be sourced else where. With Fodera...I can buy all their hardware and make a pretty convincing clone for well under 1/10th of the cost...so why bother?
Am I missing some magic somewhere?
Click to expand...
I lived in the UK for 20 years and played every brand and make... Whether from the Gallery or down in Soho.

There is no comparison regarding construction. Aesthetics is a personal thing though... Also, I dare you to buy a custom made titanium bridge off the shelf or the incredibly innovative bracing designs? Also, the neck joint is the best there is... IMO. But, then again... Does it matter what we think? ;) They have a market and I suspect that they don't have to justify their pricing to anyone on TB. They are major players on the global scene. And that type of longevity doesn't stand the test of time unless you're doing something right.

For me, I prefer a nice old Precision through an Ampeg 8x10. But, I've got enough experience to recognize the "gold standard" when I play it... not SEE it.... Play it... and hear it.

To each their own... If you've found an instrument that speaks to you personally, does it matter what the cost is? If you can afford it, get it if you want to...

Oh, If I ever walked into a recording session in Abbey Road, The Diary in Brixton, or The Premises with a bass that had "unique pickups" they'd ask me to play the house bass. (And that was a Fender precision) If you're looking for that sound as a spice, then I get it... But, as a professional musician, it's hard enough... And with Brexit, I think it's going to be harder for the average muso.
 
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#186
Pendulous said:
It’s amazing to me, as someone new here, how rude and snarky some people are to others asking a question. So what if it has been asked in the past, maybe he’s asking the question because he’s heard things hyped up and something isn’t jiving for him. Sometimes it’s just nice to get opinions from others, even if they don’t necessarily fall inline with your own thoughts.
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Agreed. Questions are asked in order to get information that is not known. If not knowing something is a crime then we’re all in deep poo. In that way, the old chestnut, “there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers” rings very true. Best to take a moment and consider a time when you didn’t know something that seemed obvious to someone else before you take a swipe.
 
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#188
retslock said:
Agreed. Questions are asked in order to get information that is not known. If not knowing something is a crime then we’re all in deep poo. In that way, the old chestnut, “there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers” rings very true. Best to take a moment and consider a time when you didn’t know something that seemed obvious to someone else before you take a swipe.
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You said "deep poo", and... "swipe." :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
 
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#192
retslock said:
Agreed. Questions are asked in order to get information that is not known. If not knowing something is a crime then we’re all in deep poo. In that way, the old chestnut, “there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers” rings very true. Best to take a moment and consider a time when you didn’t know something that seemed obvious to someone else before you take a swipe.
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TB in my world, is usually met with a smirk or giggle by my peers. A little compassion goes a long way. I don't begrudge anyone having an opinion or asking questions. Someone not at least considering another view is sadly seen too often on the net. And a little kindness goes a long way...
I think it's easy to learn and take in information if you approach it with a little humility.

"It's hard to fill a cup that is already full..."
 
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#196
Christine said:
I think peoples expectations of this type of guitar are too high
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IMO, you shouldn't expect anything. If you can make music that resonates with people on a POS, then do it. These things are just tools. I started with a Vantage bass... Sadly, some folks think that an expensive instrument is impressive. If you hear with your eyes then I guess they have a point.
 
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#197
MD Stingray said:
I politely say you are not getting my point,maybe my English is not all that, sorry :).

I have no problem with the costs at all.
I am just curious how much a 10K NY Fodera would cost if it was a (insert any city) Fodera.
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Good point.

NY has high tax, if I remember correctly. At the same time NY has a lot of resident musicians. I believe that the root of their shop was the ability to service pros doing gigs in NYC. Word got around that they did a great job and that was how it all got started.

Now if they were in Boise Idaho (Just picked that out of nowhere, so anyone reading this, don't be offended), would they have been able to build a reputation amongst the gigging pros? Difficult to say.

Their roots are in NYC so they take the brutal beating of NY tax and shop maintenance fee, pay their workers real world wages, but without all this they might have not gotten anywhere....
 
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#198
MD Stingray said:
How much time have you spend fiddling around with a Fodera?

I spent a good hour in a shop ready to purchase a Wal MK2, but it did nothing for me.
Very heavy, odd electronics , not for me. I am sure many people love them considering resale value is excellent.

Just would like to know if your opinion an Fodera is based on actual experience or on prejudice.
Click to expand...
I wanted to say that exact thing sir. I had the impression he was somewhat inexperienced with the brand.
 
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