The most basic answer is that as a tool, no they aren’t worth the money paid but beyond that any value assigned is subjective and likely rooted in emotion.
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Fodera really worth the cost?
- Thread starter jzfunkateer
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- fodera bass worth it
Yes to the first part, but I think the audience might hear the difference (though not in the way you're describing). I know what I'm playing, so internal bias can change how I approach things. This is part of why I really don't care about "scientific" studies on wood effects. Since the point of my bass is to make music, and there is a human (me) in the loop, any "objective" studies are only part of the picture. If I feel more comfortable or inspired or whatever by my instrument, then it likely will affect what comes out of the speaker.
I don't own my basses for the audience beyond the hope that our music touches them somehow. They don't need or want to know how much it costs or who makes it. But I do care who makes it, and since I'm paying, I also care what it costs. That cost consideration isn't about conspicuous consumption but rather just a question of whether or not I can afford it. It isn't at all like a Rolex - everyone knows that is expensive so purchasing/wearing that makes a certain statement to a broad audience. Playing a Fodera only makes a statement to a very small amount of the population, and on any given gig, at most I have one or two people who are bass players come up and ask about it.
No mate you are totally wrong, they charge what they do because they can, it's all to do with status isn't it really! and to tell you the truth I have not noticed a 9G sound difference!
Personally, I can afford one but I wouldn't, I simply can not justify paying that much extra for something that has a different tone! I use three bass's, Fender, Gibson, and Rickenbacker, so I have the tone thing pretty well covered, the big three make a perfectly good bass + a few others.
This is my personal thoughts on it, if you want to brag to your friends that you got a 10 or 11g bass go ahead, but you are wasting your money, and remember, they depreciate too like any other, I'm not slagging them off, but I simply can't see how they are supposed to sound that much better!
You could off course say that does my £2000 fender sound better than the squire equivalent, well to me yes it does and it feels a hell of a lot better, but not 10G better! and maybe the truth about why they charge so much is because we've all become self indulgent and selfish.
Is it worth it?
To some, yes. Some people enjoy the sound, playability, overall quality, image, etc. of a Fodera so much that they will find the instrument worth it. Some of those are financially fortunate enough to buy one, some not.
To some, no. Some people will find the instrument overpriced and claim that they find a similar sound, playability, overall quality, image, etc. in another instrument. It all boils down to what you seek in an instrument, and where you can find it. Tangible or intangible; some people seem to find their criteria in a Fodera, and find the instrument worth it. The equation is that simple. Others might find their criteria in another brand (expensive or cheap), which is also totally fine, but to me, the sound does not justify the price.
I'm wrong because you don't hear a monetarily quantifiable difference between a Fodera and the three passive basses you play? There is a whiff of envy about your post. In a parallel universe luthiers are millionaires, but I suggest you track down any thread on here where a pro luthier lays out their costs and profit margins.
To further the argument I made in here previously,lets start with the Rickenbacker. Are you happy with the unshielded electronics and the bridge that has only limited adjustability? The pickup cover? The single coil noise? The pickguard bandsawed out of a sheet of white ABS plastic? You wouldn't want to change any of those features? Wouldn't it be good if the nut slots were cut to the proper depth at the factory?
Are you totally happy with the tone of your Gibson? And the way it balances on the strap? Nothing you would change there?
As I've said before, classical musicians don't settle for cheap, production line instruments with quirks and idiosyncrasies. No renowned violinist buys a Stentor beginner violin with a crooked sound post, and decide to stick with it through their career, and noisily claim that it is as good as a Stradivarius. This never happens, but with bassists you see this exact behavior on here all the time. Bassists settle for sub-par performance from un-ergonomic, crudely manufactured production line basses. Dead spots are overlooked, inadequate tuners are replaced, pickups are swapped out.
I enjoy modding my basses, but it would be great if these basses were great out the gate. For £10k you get a great bass, right out the gate.
A £2,000 Fender is never going to sound £10,000 better than a £200 Squier. Attaching a monetary value to sound is far too nebulous an idea. Beyond that, your Fender and your Squier are built using the exact same techniques, principles and level of quality control, care and attention. Both are made by non-luthiers using basic production line techniques and values. USA Fender stuff still has only adequate fretwork, fit and finish. Some MIA Fenders are amazing, and some are horrible. The consistency isn't there, because ultimately it doesn't have to be. The nut still isn't cut properly on the vast majority MIA Fender.
I doubt Fodera players buy them for bragging rights, because nobody outside a small corner of the bass community even knows what they are or cares. I'm sure Anthony Jackson, Victor Wooten, Mike Pope and co would love to be told they are wasting their money!
Unfortunately I know of at least one who has done just that! and there must be more out there, of course we can all look at anything under the microscope and say this ain't done properly or that on anything, I could list people who also swear by these bass's too, and they are very well crafted, but the point is still there, at that price point, does it give more bang for the buck tonally? they have a particular sound, sort of mid rangy and honky, that aspect is not for me, there is a lot of hype about Fodera, but I would say forget all that and treat it like any other and unfortunately the best in the world is whatever works for you, and not the price!
I find it quite amazing they don't make there own pickups and pre-amps, even though they may be custom spec! so you could say they are just a collection of bits!
They are excellent if you want one to show, trade or sell at a later date, and our vision of perfection is tainted by ads and endorsements, especially big name players, as if we can't think for our self's!, the "best" is purely subjective.
Your not so much buying a Fodero, but making an investment, is it really worth it, well there are those who say the pre CBS fender are the best instruments in the world! again subjective, but if you really have 5 figures burning a hole through your pocket! try out some other high end bass's, Sadowsky Alleva-Coppolo Lakland
Warwick Jaydee alembic, as well as some of the great vintage bass's out there.
I find it quite amazing they don't make there own pickups and pre-amps, even though they may be custom spec! so you could say they are just a collection of bits!
They are excellent if you want one to show, trade or sell at a later date, and our vision of perfection is tainted by ads and endorsements, especially big name players, as if we can't think for our self's!, the "best" is purely subjective.
Your not so much buying a Fodero, but making an investment, is it really worth it, well there are those who say the pre CBS fender are the best instruments in the world! again subjective, but if you really have 5 figures burning a hole through your pocket! try out some other high end bass's, Sadowsky Alleva-Coppolo Lakland
Warwick Jaydee alembic, as well as some of the great vintage bass's out there.
Ah, ah: no problems!I strongly suggest you don't mention the above to an Italian
See: at home here we have a Daewoo Matiz and an Opel Astra TDI. Both almost... vintage, I guess (2004 - 2006). And I would never buy a Ferrari, myself. Even having the money. Because what a Ferrari does... my Astra does as well! In addition, in Italy we have speed limits, you know? So, having a Ferrari, also here is about either one of the two: 1) it's just a matter of showing off that you are a wealthy person 2) you really have a passion for sport cars and you want the best. On the first case, my sincere compassion: work on yourself. On the second case, well: my hat off and my respect! Because there's no Volkswagen that can be compared to such a thing of beauty and innovative engineering, until today. 
Not to me, but then the Ferrari of basses for me is a fretless Wal Mk1. So... I would never slight someone for spending a shetload of money on a bass. Only the person looking to buy something can say whether it an item is worth the price it commands.
