Fodera Tone Blocks

[JPMcGuire]

Hi all fodera aficionados

I'm at the last leg for finalizing my fodera spec before the lock in and struggling with one remaining item, the tone block wood choice. I've goten lots of good feedback from friends but still can't fully picture how a walnut vs maple tone block would influence how the bass speaks and thought i would put this out for some further input from greater community.

Here are the for sure specs. Bass will primarily be used in worship and jazz settings, but hoping would be able to handle a rock/pop or jam band gig if needed too. I like tight low end with punch and sustain and fairly articulate highs that sound great for chords but have enough heft not to sound thin and get lost in a big mix.

Monarch Deluxe 5 (dovetail)
Alder body wings
Tone block: walnut or maple?
Macasaar ebony board
Maple neck
Dual Duncan's in 70s
34 scale
Flamed koa top
Weight target around 10lbs

Thanks in advance for sharing your expertise!

 

[joel406]

So you're gonna spend what?

8...10k on a bass that you will use for some jazz and IMO waste at a "worship service".

Buy what you want but a MIM P bass can do all that to for less than $500.

I never would spend that kinda scratch and use it in any kinda live setting.

Do what you will with your money.

I wouldn't trade my Jazz bass for a Fodera.

 

[TDR1138]

Well, I know nothing about Fodera tone blocks, but I'll just say that Fodera makes some beautiful instruments that I would love to someday play at a worship service, if and when I can ever afford one. Good luck with your inquiry and with your build. Hope it turns out better than you expect.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

IMO waste at a "worship service".

joel406 - you are welcome to your opinion but your attack on what I value is NOT appreciated.

I use a Fodera E5S (yep, the cheap one!) for worship services and it works wonderfully. Rig used with it is a Streamliner 900 into an Accugroove Tri-115, which sounds good too! Since the Sanctuary is large (1400 seats) the rig is mostly for the singers and ME! I use the DI on the head to feed the house and it sounds great through the IEM's.

I can't help with a tone block on a Fodera but I had two Ken Lawrence Brase's and had an alder tone block on one. It sounded a *little* different than the other Brase. I was an idiot to sell them!

Enjoy your new bass!

Dan

 

[Brother Goose]

So you're gonna spend what?

8...10k on a bass that you will use for some jazz and IMO waste at a "worship service".

Buy what you want but a MIM P bass can do all that to for less than $500.

I never would spend that kinda scratch and use it in any kinda live setting.

Do what you will with your money.

I wouldn't trade my Jazz bass for a Fodera.

What a ridiculous troll post. It's his money and life, dude.

I'd go with walnut.

 

[GHOST AT]

Maybe Jason will chime in I think the tone block is more of a "spice" and not a huge factor in tone like fretboard wood. I noticed that you would like to keep the weight around 10 pounds, that might be difficult with a Walnut tone block.
My Imperial has Ash wings and Maple block and its under 10 pounds I love the specs on your Fodera so far, do you have a pic of the top?

 

[Reedt2000]

I don't know much about tone blocks either. I do know maple is more traditional building material for a bass so if versatility is what you want I'd go with a more standard material.

 

[Epitaph04]

I love when someone writes an inflammatory, attacking post then at the very end tells you to do what you want, as if trying to save face.

 

[P. Aaron]

Fodera's are nice all around. No matter your choices the final product will probably be a joy to play.

There was a Fodera Precision model someone posted about here a few years back. Would love a Precision 5 Fodera...maybe one of these days.

 

[FingerDub]

Are those the only 2 choices offered?

 

[inanimate_carb]

So you're gonna spend what?

8...10k on a bass that you will use for some jazz and IMO waste at a "worship service".

Buy what you want but a MIM P bass can do all that to for less than $500.

I never would spend that kinda scratch and use it in any kinda live setting.

Do what you will with your money.

I wouldn't trade my Jazz bass for a Fodera.

Really? Lotsa drama and vitriol here about a 1/2" thick piece of wood about the size of of the sole on a winter boot that isn't part of a Jazz Bass build at all.

And if you weren't posturing on message boards, you totally would trade your Jazz Bass for a Fodera - unless you're wealthy enough to turn down the 3-10k you'd be ahead if a trade like that could actually happen.

OP, every Fodera I've really been smitten with had fairly simple Fender style woods all throughout the body, no matter what the top was - usually alder. I'd just do a maple tone block. The maple board and 70's pickup spacing will likely speak much louder as to what the voice of the bass will be than a tone block choice IMO.

 

[franklindayala]

Hi all fodera aficionados

I'm at the last leg for finalizing my fodera spec before the lock in and struggling with one remaining item, the tone block wood choice. I've goten lots of good feedback from friends but still can't fully picture how a walnut vs maple tone block would influence how the bass speaks and thought i would put this out for some further input from greater community.

Here are the for sure specs. Bass will primarily be used in worship and jazz settings, but hoping would be able to handle a rock/pop or jam band gig if needed too. I like tight low end with punch and sustain and fairly articulate highs that sound great for chords but have enough heft not to sound thin and get lost in a big mix.

Monarch Deluxe 5 (dovetail)
Alder body wings
Tone block: walnut or maple?
Macasaar ebony board
Maple neck
Dual Duncan's in 70s
34 scale
Flamed koa top
Weight target around 10lbs

Thanks in advance for sharing your expertise!

Koa Top, alder wings. I would go with maple tone block.

 

[Watchootognbout]

So you're gonna spend what?

8...10k on a bass that you will use for some jazz and IMO waste at a "worship service".

Buy what you want but a MIM P bass can do all that to for less than $500.

I never would spend that kinda scratch and use it in any kinda live setting.

Do what you will with your money.

I wouldn't trade my Jazz bass for a Fodera.

He didn't ask should he trade his Fodera for a Fender.
Do you know he already has two Fenders?
The arrogance!
Elitist be gone!

 

[Madhouse27]

Left-handed Schecter available for Fodera trade if Joel turns you down.

 

[DirtyDuke]

So you're gonna spend what?

8...10k on a bass that you will use for some jazz and IMO waste at a "worship service".

Buy what you want but a MIM P bass can do all that to for less than $500.

I never would spend that kinda scratch and use it in any kinda live setting.

Do what you will with your money.

I wouldn't trade my Jazz bass for a Fodera.

YES U WOULD,

The end.......

 

[fivestringdan]

Maple would work best for what you described.

 

[oldfretless]

I may be wrong, but a tone block may be only on neck through. I have two awesome dovetails, and neither have a tone block. It may not be feasible with that construction.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

First time I've ever heard of a tone block. It sounds like a really neat, novel idea and my interest is engaged fully (any excuse to gas will be taken without regret).

That being said, I don't know if I've ever HEARD (visuals are a different story) a walnut instrument that sounded better than a maple instrument of the same type. I love maple. I know it's super basic and vanilla, but maple just seems to have a certain classic consistency that can't be ignored or overstated. You already took some slightly exotic choices with the ebony board and koa veneer, I'd balance that out with something more traditional.

Maybe the tone block makes no difference and my post is stupid, but that doesn't help me spend money on basses, so I'm gonna choose to believe in the magic.

TLDR Canadian flag.

 

[FenderB]

So you're gonna spend what?

8...10k on a bass that you will use for some jazz and IMO waste at a "worship service".

Buy what you want but a MIM P bass can do all that to for less than $500.

I never would spend that kinda scratch and use it in any kinda live setting.

Do what you will with your money.

I wouldn't trade my Jazz bass for a Fodera.

?

 

[Adam Wright]

Maybe walnut body wings with an alder tone block instead?