Fodera really worth the cost?

[Christcr]

Yeah it's just you bruh.. Ever play either instrument? Fender doesn't even compare. Maybe the body style is similar to a J bass but that is where it ends..

Sadowsky vs Fender... again, it is totally in the ears, eyes, and hands of the beholder. I've played and owned both. I would honestly take an Elite Jazz over a Sadowsky if offered to choose one and take it home. If buying them, I'd be unlikely to buy the Elite Jazz and very much more unlikely to buy the Sadowsky.

But again, why should that matter to anyone else besides me? They are all worth whatever you are willing to pay for them and the choice between them is yours alone.

 

[fourteenstrings]

OP, I agree with what you're saying. It is really hard for me to tell if I'm really going to love, or even really like, an instrument by just playing it in the store, even if I go back several times. I'm one who takes a while to adjust to a specific instrument, and over the years, many of the basses I have owned just didn't work out for me after a while.

Wish I could comment authoritatively on Fodera in particular, but I have never played one. What I can say is that my Fender Custom Shop doesn't play any better than many production basses I have owned, and not as well as several of them. Plus, the factory setup on it was far below almost every other bass I have purchased. Would I buy another Custom Shop? Probably not, because I don't see the value to me.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Ok I realize these basses are nice looking well built great sounding instruments... And my whole career as a bass player I have been enticed to own the “Ferrari” of basses .. But now that I own one, I am wondering why the hell they cost so much...? Let me back up and say the bass I own is a standard... But still not cheap by any means... And it does play, look and sound great. It isn’t all that though... Let me also say that I own a Sadowsky that was made for me.. I get it was made for me to my personal tastes but it came in only slightly more costly then the Standard. And of course I love it.. It is a primo instrument and sounds good no matter what gig I use it on. It plays like a dream weighs less due to it having chambers. I get that Fodera does neck throughs with tone blocks and Yadi Yadi yada...I am not trying to do a Fodera vs. Sadowsky post here either. Just asking is it really worth the bread?
Discuss

I don’t think any production model bass is worth more than $2k personally. Custom stuff sure, but not production stuff. People like what they like. I’ve seen Warwick thumb nt6 basses for sale new for $5600. I paid $1500 used for the nt6 I had

, I paid $2800 for the thumb nt5 I bought NEW from guitar center when they were unloading all their high end Warwick’s.

I don’t know who the heck is paying over $5k for those basses. My dingwall was like $1820 new and it slayed the nt6 so it Immedietly became my go to bass and I sold the nt6 not wanting to carry two relatively expensive basses around.

 

[fishdreams]

A caterham will own almost any sports car in a track. Yet ,it doesn’t say “I’m a wealthy guy” like a Ferrari or lambo does.

That’s kinda how I feel about fodera. Sure , you could be playing whatever thing and probably sound just as good at a fraction of cost , but then you wouldn’t be able to say “look at me work, I’m a pro player , like a real real pro that plays big acts and has a fodera “

I have never seen a Fodera in the hands of "a real pro that plays big acts". I see them in the hands of lesser-known working players, who do broadway shows, tv shows, weddings and the like; in the fusion/jazz circuit; and with the occasional weekend warrior.

For people who actually play with big acts, the projected image on stage may require you play a P-bass, (not to mention that you can fix or replace those instantly in every corner of the universe) but never a Fodera. So as a "wannabe with the big stars", you're much better off buying a Fender.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I got no dog in this race.

 

[bassliner50]

Fodera ***really*** worth the cost? This is a very objective question. I think that depends on what ***you*** get out of it, as opposed to other similar priced instruments or lesser priced instruments.

 

[nilorius]

I have never seen a Fodera in the hands of "a real pro that plays big acts". I see them in the hands of lesser-known working players, who do broadway shows, tv shows, weddings and the like; in the fusion/jazz circuit; and with the occasional weekend warrior.

For people who actually play with big acts, the projected image on stage may require you play a P-bass, (not to mention that you can fix or replace those instantly in every corner of the universe) but never a Fodera. So as a "wannabe with the big stars", you're much better off buying a Fender.

That is - Fodera would be needed for fix much more less than a standart p-type.

 

[gt96g]

I have a Fodera and if my finances allowed I'd own another. I love the one I have and wouldn't trade it for anything. Conversely to the OP's opinion, while I think Sadowsky makes an exellent instrument, their sound has just never worked for me. So IMO I'd opt for a standard Fodera over a custom sadowsky every time. But that's just me.

 

[iwearpumas]

Anything is only worth the price if it makes you happy.

 

[elgranluis]

I have never seen a Fodera in the hands of "a real pro that plays big acts". I see them in the hands of lesser-known working players, who do broadway shows, tv shows, weddings and the like; in the fusion/jazz circuit; and with the occasional weekend warrior.

YES, this is exactly what I meant with the "big acts". Not like The Stones, but exactly as you describe it, thanks! Lesser known working players with lots of work, many times being visible.

 

[tradernick]

No offense taken.. The Fodera is in no way terrible. It is an awesome instrument.. I just don't feel it is any better or worse than my other instrument..

I didn't read through the whole thread, ignore this if you've already answered, but it seems to me that we need to know what makes a bass 'better or worse' for you?

After all we're talking about nosebleed instruments here. Both are going to be beautifully finished, made with the best materials (I'm inferring your Sad is an NYC based on price comp). Both high-performance instruments.

Put another way, what would have made you say 'Holy crap!! I get it!! Now I understand what the hype is about'?

 

[Duanestuermer]

Many high end basses are made to satisfy monster players like Victor Wooten, Stanley Clark, Bunny Brunell, and others, those players who use the entire bass from bottom to top, and make use of every available note, need perfection in the studio, with harmonic, and other facets a normal weekend warrior/club bass player doesn't come close to using.
If you are one who barely plays above the 12th fret, or seldom solos, it may be very difficult to realize the full potential of a bass like that.

 

[dennis james]

If you purchase a Fodera (assuming new or well-taken care of) you'll be receiving a well made, quality instrument put together by dedicated builders. Their customer support, from what I've heard from many people, is marvelous.

As I understand it, all their employees receive medical benefits and a retirement plan. That is excellent.

Do their instruments speak to you? Well...

if their employees receive health insurance and a pension that would explain the cost on the damn things.

 

[JRA]

none of them are "worth the cost" if you factor in the "dues." they're all priceless if they help you survive the journey.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

In my opinion, yes, very much so.

 

[diegom]

Yes, value can only truly be assigned by the "credit card holder".
Is a Fodera a remarkably constructed instrument? YES!
Would I own one? NO!
Why??? (Please don't kill me for the heresy to follow!!) Because I just don't like the way they look! They seem too fat, too short, too XYZ.
I really agree with the post about "better instruments make you a better player because you won't want to put it down"!! That's really the point. If a Squier makes you want to play all day, that's the best instrument in the world, FOR YOU.

Diego

 

[moon-bass]

I have owned hundreds of basses in my life, and spent decades in search of "the one." People will argue the points day in and day out, but the bottom line is that what I love and what works for me might not work for you. Search TB archives and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of threads like this. The answers pretty much never change.

I have found that I ended up gravitating to certain brands because they "spoke" to me. there is something about picking up a bass and finding it effortless to play - finding that the bass doesn't get in the way of playing, rather it enhances your playing, it almost feels like a part of you. That is the magic of instruments and individuality. There is certainly a brand/name/prestige factor involved, but finding "that bass" that truly becomes your instrument, is priceless to me. Every bass that I own (that I am not in the process of selling) fulfills a need and fulfills it well, and I have a hard time even thinking about replacing that bass with another.

for the record, I mostly play F Bass, Fodera, Sadowsky, and Fender, with a few other basses thrown in for "niche" (for lack of a better term) reasons. These are the basses that continue to speak to me and make me a better player. Ultimately, these instruments greatly increase my playing pleasure. YMMV.

 

[Kaplan]

Foderas are beautiful instruments. Let's get that out of the way.

But...if I want something precise, I want it machined.

Fodera uses CNC and Plek machines ...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[nostatic]

*sigh*

value is not absolute, and is determined by the individual. It is worth it to you or it isn't. End of story.

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Fodera monarch standard, worth it?

Fodera vs other high end basses

fodera alteratives?

Fodera really worth the cost?

Fodera Vs Carvin

why fodera?

Fodera and appreciation of value

Fodera Replacement (?)

What's up with the big Fodera sell-off?

Someone talk me out of a Fodera...

For former owners of Fodera basses

Boutique basses: Worth it or not?

Most overpriced basses: IMHO

Passive Fodera Emperor J Classic... 00. No preamp, No inlay. What am I missing??

etc...

Worth it to me - summer concert series show last Sunday:

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

No offense taken.. The Fodera is in no way terrible. It is an awesome instrument.. I just don't feel it is any better or worse than my other instrument.. If the Ferrari handled and drove about the same as the Corvette I would ask the same question..

The fact is that there’s an abyss between a Ferrari and a corvette whereas IMO that is not the case between Foderas and other similar boutique basses ... Alembic, for instance, seems to have a more rational prices distribution range ..