Fodera vs other high end basses

[nutdog]

No doubt, thats why I'll emphasize the last paragraph, "If you want one, check it out, you'll either love it or sell it, in which case, you won't really be in any worse of a place than you already were ... yet there is also the potential to be wildly satisfied with your instrument."

I'd love to have one, but in my case your key point is "if you can afford it". I'll have 3 teenagers in the house next year so there are other priorities. But I don't have any illusion that aquiring the dream bass will stop me from perusing the classifieds.

 

[LakeEffect]

I'd love to have one, but in my case your key point is "if you can afford it". I'll have 3 teenagers in the house next year so there are other priorities. But I don't have any illusion that aquiring the dream bass will stop me from perusing the classifieds.

I hear you, I made my purchase at a very strategic time. I commend you for having your priorities straight, much respect for that.

 

[BassByBaldSteve]

A Fodera is worth every penny. I played an ebony-topped Emperor Elite from 1992 - 1999 around the northeast, full-time, touring and local, probably doing 250+ gigs per year, and it destroyed on every style and in the studio. You can get any tone imaginable and the instrument, at least to me, got out of the way and allowed my musical voice to flow through it, unencumbered by inferior, mass-production build quality. Sold it to fund my move to LA, but I still look for it online all the time to buy it back. Around 1997, Harry Connick Jr's band sat in on one of my gigs and the bassist at the time (I forget his name) was freaked after playing it. Dude could not believe the feel and tone, and hooked us up with tickets to the Connick gig a few days later as a thanks. I have a holly-topped Monarch 5 bolt-on build in process right now. Should arrive by June and be accompanying me on about 250+ gigs year from there. Cannot freaking wait.

Customs are one thing, but as Jason suggested if you can try the Standard line I'd highly recommend you do so. They are of astonishing quality as well. I played both the Garrison and Emperor Standards at Bass Player Live in 2012 and was floored. IME, you cannot go wrong with Fodera. There are some amazing builders out there, but for me, Fodera instruments have never disappointed.

 

[Baird6869]

Not at all.

So in your expert opinion, the vast majority of Fodera owners have more money than brains and are generally unskilled players?

I would love to see your detailed research on that.

 

[cnltb]

I think that there are a few builders whose instruments are on par with Fodera in terms of quality, finish, components, attention to detail quality of wood etc.-Instruments of Very high quality.
The rest is Taste I recon.

 

[MVE]

Interesting, we're 15 posts into the thread and every top end bass has been mentioned except Alembic. That's the brand that I associate most with Fodera. I don't own a Fodera but have always wanted one. I say go for it. You might want to buy used at first to kind of see what it's all about the move on to a custom build if you really like it.

Yeah, I started reading this and thought the same thing...
Where's my ALEMBIC? Where's Mr. Thompson?

Anyway, in response to the OP.
You might want to shop around and try out some high-end stuff at whatever music stores are around you. Even if you have to make a few hours drive to find one with a selection of top-end gear. Get a few different ones in your hand and see if they are your thing.
You might just find a used one that fits the bill and costs thousands less, not to mention, you wouldn't have to wait a year to get it.

 

[G-MonRV5]

For me, high-end basses are about getting the tone, woods, electronics, and look just the way I want them, and about having a bass nobody else has.

There's not much of a business case for a $4000 bass in the utility of the instrument itself, when a $900 Fender will get you through almost every gig you may ever get.

Lots of good comments on this thread, but this one sums it up best for me - utility versus luxury. Someone else on here made the distinction between high-end 'working' basses (i.e., Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland, etc) and high-end boutique basses (Fodera, Drozd, F-basses), which I agree with as well.

My two cents... There is a pretty significant drop in 'bang for the buck' somewhere around the $1,500 - $2,000 mark (reference to yet another comment in this thread), and anything beyond that point would have to be considered a luxury. I am fortunate enough at this point in my life to afford some decent instruments, but do not have so much expendable income that I can justify anything in the price range of the average Fodera. My circumstances keep me on the utilitarian side of the equation. But if you can afford it, knock yourself out.

I'm a Fender guy, so for my tastes the pinnacle is Sadowsky's stuff. Even so, I would have a hard time justifying a NYC model versus a Metro. Having said that, I plan on buying a Sadowsky later this year and am currently debating a NYC model just for the chambered body. But even then, I'm gonna have to do quite a sales job to convince my wife that the additional cost is worth it.

 

[WoodyG3]

...If having a pretty butterfly with folks to gawk at is your thing..have at it...but again you can get equal performance for thousands cheaper.

This is like saying if you want a pretty horse emblem on your hood, get a Ferrari, but you can get a high performance sports car for thousands less. Yeah, you can, but if a guy wants a Ferrari, he wants a Ferrari.

 

[pnchad]

and, one of the ways to measure customer satisfaction is right here on TB

I'd guess the Fodera thread is right up there if not #1 very close as far as activity

for 40 yrs I always thought I wanted an Alembic - I've played about a dozen over the years and NEVER did one entice me to buy

EVERY Fodera I have played would be a keeper - if it was the configuration I wanted - 4 vs 5, 34" vs 35", etc.

I don't think there is a comparable quality product across the board

even CTs run a wide range - not Fodera

 

[Munjibunga]

As if any person who spent 4k plus on a bass would ever admit that it dint sound better than a 2k bass

I think Ken and I already have.

 

[Munjibunga]

and, one of the ways to measure customer satisfaction is right here on TB

I'd guess the Fodera thread is right up there if not #1 very close as far as activity

for 40 yrs I always thought I wanted an Alembic - I've played about a dozen over the years and NEVER did one entice me to buy

EVERY Fodera I have played would be a keeper - if it was the configuration I wanted - 4 vs 5, 34" vs 35", etc.

I don't think there is a comparable quality product across the board

even CTs run a wide range - not Fodera

I've never GAS'd for an Alembic either, but I sure like my Foderas.

 

[Munjibunga]

Lots of good comments on this thread, but this one sums it up best for me - utility versus luxury. Someone else on here made the distinction between high-end 'working' basses (i.e., Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland, etc) and high-end boutique basses (Fodera, Drozd, F-basses), which I agree with as well.

My two cents... There is a pretty significant drop in 'bang for the buck' somewhere around the $1,500 - $2,000 mark (reference to yet another comment in this thread), and anything beyond that point would have to be considered a luxury. I am fortunate enough at this point in my life to afford some decent instruments, but do not have so much expendable income that I can justify anything in the price range of the average Fodera. My circumstances keep me on the utilitarian side of the equation. But if you can afford it, knock yourself out.

I'm a Fender guy, so for my tastes the pinnacle is Sadowsky's stuff. Even so, I would have a hard time justifying a NYC model versus a Metro. Having said that, I plan on buying a Sadowsky later this year and am currently debating a NYC model just for the chambered body. But even then, I'm gonna have to do quite a sales job to convince my wife that the additional cost is worth it.

I didn't mention that I also have four Fenders, and they all get gigged except the Mustang.

 

[Munjibunga]

Personally I have played several high end basses including Fodera, Roscoe, Modulus, Pedulla, and Sadowsky.
Frankly Fodera's are unnecessarily expensive. Feel and playability wise they are good, but 7-9 thousand dollar good no way. My Pedulla plays just as good and was $1700 used. My Modulus the same and was $1400 used. IMO there is no justifiable reason to buy a Fodera at the prices they ask.

Lucky for Fodera, people apparently don't find the need to justify their purchase.

 

[GRAHAM JACOBS]

and, one of the ways to measure customer satisfaction is right here on TB



I'd guess the Fodera thread is right up there if not #1 very close as far as activity.



I don't think there is a comparable quality product across the board



even CTs run a wide range - not Fodera

And this is precisely what first got me intrigued about Foderas.

The users on the Fodera thread display an unmatched passion for their instruments. No question.
Fantastic playability is often mentioned. Many Fodera owners attest to having lost interest in 'rival' brands after having discovered Fodera. Indeed, the acquisition of a first Fodera has been referred to as a 'gateway drug' within the Fodera thread (with apologies to Nostatic)..... but at the same time I do not detect any brand snobbery. In fact, quite the opposite. For example, the Fodera Club doesn't even bother to issue numbers.

No doubt, these instruments harbor a degree of mystique - for me at least, seeing as I'm too far away from the nearest dealer to be able to try one out for myself.......yet. However, on the basis of the consistently high reviews that these instruments have received, including in recent issues of Bass Gear Magazine and UK's Bass Guitar Magazine, I would DEFINITELY have gone to try one out a long time ago if I were in the USA.

Whether all of the above could translate to value for money would, of course, depend on the individual - but it seems to me that there's a lot more to Fodera than just being a fancy brand.

 

[millsbass5]

Fodera Basses. Yes, they are one of, if not the most finely-crafted basses out there. And, yes, It'd be nice to own one. BUT....... I think a big part of that price is in the name. Need an example? Let's use real estate as an example. Let's say you have 2 absolutely identical buildings. Right down to how the concrete for the foundation has been mixed, and poured, and laid. One building is located, beachfront in Monte Carlo, the other IDENTICAL structure sits in, let's say, one of the nicer beachfront locations in California.
You can bet your bottom dollar that same, identical building in Monaco is gonna cost way, way more. With property, it's location, location, location. Well, with basses (to some extent), the price can simply be determined by what it says on the headstock. Now, if you think I'm saying a Fodera isn't worth the asking price, you'd be wrong.

So, for me, personally? I'd go with what feels/sounds right to my hands, and ears.


But, when it comes to just names, I'd rather talk about fast cars. And, I'd sure as hell like to have a Ferrari 458 Spyder....... Even though I could buy 3, maybe 4 Nissan GT-R's, or Porsche 911's........

 

[Asher S]

The users on the Fodera thread display an unmatched passion for their instruments. No question.

Uhhhhh.... Check out the Roscoe club thread...

 

[Kmrumedy]

Fodera Basses. Yes, they are one of, if not the most finely-crafted basses out there. And, yes, It'd be nice to own one. BUT....... I think a big part of that price is in the name. Need an example? Let's use real estate as an example. Let's say you have 2 absolutely identical buildings. Right down to how the concrete for the foundation has been mixed, and poured, and laid. One building is located, beachfront in Monte Carlo, the other IDENTICAL structure sits in, let's say, one of the nicer beachfront locations in California.
You can bet your bottom dollar that same, identical building in Monaco is gonna cost way, way more. With property, it's location, location, location. Well, with basses (to some extent), the price can simply be determined by what it says on the headstock. Now, if you think I'm saying a Fodera isn't worth the asking price, you'd be wrong.

So, for me, personally? I'd go with what feels/sounds right to my hands, and ears.


But, when it comes to just names, I'd rather talk about fast cars. And, I'd sure as hell like to have a Ferrari 458 Spyder....... Even though I could buy 3, maybe 4 Nissan GT-R's, or Porsche 911's........

I agree to go with what feels and sounds right. Just trying to understand the location example.

So are you saying if Fodera moved their offices from NY to Ohio their basses would cost less because their infrastructure costs are now less?

Ken Smith moved from NY to PA. Prices didn't go down.

Been a Ken Smith player since 89 and I am still on the fence about getting a Fodera. And I REALLY like Fodera the company. There was a Bolivian rosewood MG style one that almost got me last summer. Five figures for that one.

But took the money I was going to use on the bass and bought this....

And still had money left over to go on a vacation.....and buy a new amp.

As soon as an instrument crosses the line from luxury purchase to asking silly money just because they can I'm out. The current prices on the Fodera models and many vintage instruments I like have crossed that line. So I keep checking the classifieds for used models.

 

[Fenwick]

I haven't tried a Fodera, but would love to see what a $5K+ bass feels like.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if this is a soloed bridge pickup on this YYS (I think..right?)? Definitely a unique sounding bass to my ears.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I've heard people put down Ibanez basses and I've heard Fodera's that sound like Ibanez basses.



I'm referring to a certain midrange growl that's very distinctive in some Ibanez models that both basses have when the bridge pickup is soloed.

 

[bmc]

You can get any tone imaginable and the instrument, at least to me, got out of the way and allowed my musical voice to flow through it.

This is EXACTLY how I have felt since buying my Sadowsky in 2007. I haven't had the pleasure of playing a Fodera. I can only imagine what great instrument it is. I just had to post this here because your words accurately capture what I have been trying to say for six years. The instrument became an extension of my arms, enabling me to channel what's in my head into sound. Experiencing this made me realize the significance of a really well crafted bass.